Reading the Inman Connect New York agenda is basically the conference equivalent of drinking espresso at midnight and deciding to rebuild your entire life. Every speaker and every session seems very good, but there’s no way to do it all.
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So here are some of the sessions I’m most looking forward to, as well as side quests where you can network and get the most out of your experience.
Most people don’t really know how to read an event agenda. Circle the buzzwords. They follow a panel of celebrities. They sit in a room where they feel important and leave with nothing but branded notes and LinkedIn posts about “great conversations.”
That’s not how meetings should be run. And that’s definitely not how you unlock your potential when you join Inman Connect.
It’s important to identify sessions that will make a big difference to your business. These are the parts where the subtext is more important than the slide deck. One where you can hear how decisions are actually made, rather than how they are marketed.
Below is my hit list. This doesn’t include everything, but here are the rooms I find myself in while others pretend to be busy and wander around the expo halls and hotel lobbies.
Please read it. Or don’t. But if you miss these sessions, don’t say they weren’t worth the squeeze.
Here are some tips before your first session.
If you want to get the most out of your time at ICNY, you need to be content. Don’t miss our recent conversation with video content expert Ransom Tucker for the advice you need to maximize your content planning. Conferences are a goldmine (if you know how to film them). Even if you’re jet-lagged, it’s a good idea to get out and walk around Monday night before ICNY starts to get the lay of the land. Head to our meetup at Bridges Bar, located just inside the Midtown Hilton, to meet other attendees and Inman Ambassadors, reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and get inside information on how to make the most of your Connect experience. Or join me for a party and enjoy a slice from the city’s most iconic pizza place and a prop tech pitch at New York’s premier gaming lounge, the perfect place for a pitch battle. (Space for RSVP is limited!)
Well, the sessions I’m most looking forward to are:
These are the sessions everyone will be talking about, so if you want to get the most out of your time at Inman Connect, you should definitely attend.
Inman Interview: Robert Refkin
No matter what you think about the Compass-Anywhere deal, this conversation between Brad Inman and Robert Refkin is going to be great. Brad is known for not holding back. He asks the tough questions and engages in the conversations real estate professionals want and need to hear.
This conversation is smart, spicy, and guaranteed to be worth the price of admission.
Leadership Strategy: Turning Strategy into Relentless Execution
Sean Soderstrom, founder and CEO of Courted, will make his debut as an Inman moderator in this session. I had the opportunity to get to know Sean well. It all started with a beer at the lobby bar.
I’ve followed his career since then and was fortunate enough to interview him for several articles we wrote together. He worked at McKinsey and Compass before developing Courted and was named Inman’s 2024 Innovator of the Year.
Recruitment and retention in the age of integration
Two of my favorites in one stage? This one is not to be missed. Stacey Staub has built a great brokerage firm that has never been sold to a large brokerage firm and continues to grow. (Did you know she runs a coffee shop and Pilates studio next door to her office? She knows how to connect with the local community.)
Michael Valdez was a mentor to me. I met him at another Inman Connect event when he was on stage talking about the difference between recruiting and attracting agents. Every conversation he participates in is a masterclass in expansion and brand building.
culture wins loyalty
Everyone talks about culture and how they “want it”. But what kind of culture? I know these panelists and have worked with them directly, so I’m excited about this conversation. Nick Shulkway built Amherst Madison into a powerful brokerage firm. I worked with him when he was selling homes in Idaho.
James Wong founded MAXA Designs. This is a technology company, not a brokerage firm. Our employees love working there, and our customers (like me) see MAXA as part of the team, not just a product or service provider.
Rapid Fire tips for AI workflows
OK, you only have a few minutes for this, so make time to get into the room. In fact, create a calendar reminder now. Louis Poggi is the co-founder and CEO of HouseWhisper, and I enjoyed every conversation with him. He’s honestly a genius and his products are great and I can’t wait to hear his advice.
Every conversation I had with him was a moment of, “Oh, I need to think bigger.” I can’t wait to hear his tips.
Decoding facial features changes negotiations
Don’t miss this presentation by Brian Galke on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to sit next to Galke at a dinner hosted by Shilo founder Justin Benson. I learned a lot from Galke. And facial reading is real.
I was skeptical at first, but then he analyzed my facial features, determined my communication style and preferences, and went around the table and started doing the same to everyone there. It was shocking. If you want to negotiate (negotiate), go.
5 types of wealth
Andrew Flachner is one of my favorite real estate podcasts, featuring insightful conversations with top leaders in the industry. This time, you’ll have the opportunity to watch his interview with New York Times bestselling author Sahil Bloom, author of The 5 Types of Wealth. (Take a sneak peek here.)
I know how much Flackner loved this book and what he personally learned from it and has applied it to his own life. In fact, I bought my own book because of Flackner, so yes, I’m going to have both of them sign it.
How to find out in the age of AI
I don’t know why you wouldn’t be there. AI is on everyone’s mind right now. The panelists are all very knowledgeable. I’ve seen each of the panelists on other stages before, so it’s going to be a valuable 20 minutes with key takeaways that you can implement in your business tomorrow and see results.
I love seeing three friends on stage together. Lauren Henss is one of the industry’s best VPs of Marketing and Growth Leaders. Molly McKinley is a brand and strategy mastermind who helps companies create authority and trust in the age of AI. Karen Stone is a rock star agent who practices what she preaches (she’s also a great trivia night host).
This is an ongoing conversation that started in 2025 at Inman Connect San Diego. Don’t miss it. This could be one of the best conversations of the event.
Build a business that runs smarter (not harder)
We’ve all heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder.” For the first time, this is actually possible through AI. Drew Fabricant, Founder and CEO of Scout, shows how AI can automate follow-up, content, marketing, and workflow to keep your business running smoothly without becoming a bottleneck.
I have seen firsthand what Fabrikant and Scout can do with prospecting and predictive models. In other words, lead generation and customer engagement have significantly improved. If you are still the busiest person at work, this is for you.
The future of intermediary profits with AI
Ashar Rizqi, CEO of Bounti, has spent his career building successful technology companies and is now building to solve real-world problems in the real estate industry. Vanessa Bergmark is the CEO of Red Oak Realty, one of the indies I’ve admired for years. (I also used this as a case study when I started my first indie brokerage, The Address.) What a great panel.
This is not “fun”. This is necessary. Because while AI is changing the economy, too many brokerages are still operating like it’s 2016.
Current state of the luxury goods market
To wrap up the event, it seemed like we were able to save one of the best sessions for last in this exploration of luxury buyers, pricing, branding, and influence. Don’t miss my friend Quiana Shonte Echols, CEO of Watch Realty Co. She is a powerful person.
Finally, one of my favorite hosts, Laura Monroe, is back. Be sure to check out her conversation, as well as one featuring Kendall Bonner and Holly Meyer Lucas.
Done right, Inman events aren’t about volume. It’s about curation. The entire agenda includes lineups that reflect real conversations real estate professionals are having right now. It’s important to choose between a variety of tracks and sessions to optimize your experience.
I’m so excited about ICNY, not because of its size, but because it’s so selective about what the industry needs to see and hear right now.
So show up prepared. Create content worth sharing. Join uncomfortable rooms (and conversations). Skip sessions that you have already agreed to.
This is one of those events that you can either capitalize on for your business or regret the missed opportunity. Choose wisely.
Register next week for Inman Connect New York, February 3-5, to hear Sahil Bloom and other top real estate leaders share their insights on growth, leadership, and the next wave shaping the industry.
register here
Troy Palmquist is the founder and president of HomeCode Advisors. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
