Founded by eXp Realty Team Leader Kendall Bonner, the Industry Speaks Academy provides real estate professionals with structured training and feedback to prepare them for speaking opportunities at events, podcasts, and more.
EXp Realty team leader Kendall Bonner has created a new professional development academy to help real estate professionals develop public speaking skills that can be applied to a variety of platforms, Bonner told Inman.
Industry Speaks Academy provides systematic training and feedback to real estate professionals, creating a set of professional standards and preparation for speaking opportunities such as events, panels, podcasts, and other platforms.
Bonner told Inman that the academy is currently in a soft launch phase to accept the first round of applicants and refine the system. The company plans to move to a full-scale launch later this month.
Kendall Bonner
“Speaking is not about exposure,” Bonner, founder of Industry Speaks Academy, said in a statement. “When you are invited to speak, you are entrusted with your time, attention, and influence. This Academy exists to help professionals honor that responsibility and to help organizers confidently recognize prepared voices.”
Live training programs are group-based and provide members with access to online, on-demand training and the opportunity to practice speaking live.
Mr. Bonner is currently the principal trainer and designer of the academy’s curriculum, but future plans include growing by incorporating guest faculty and industry leaders into the instructional program.
Bonner told Inman that enrollment is determined first by a written application, followed by a conversation to determine the applicant’s coordination, preparation and suitability for the program.
According to the academy’s website, individuals who enroll in the standard program will participate in monthly live group sessions between 60 and 90 minutes in length, with rotating groups presenting live. The 12-week accelerated program includes weekly meetings, and the masterclass program includes two monthly meetings.
Tuition for the first year of the standard program is $10,000, which can be paid in two installments of $5,000 each. If you do not attend a live training, your membership may be canceled within 30 days.
According to the academy’s website, the accelerated and masterclass programs are by invitation only due to the “significant investment of time and tuition.”
Although speaker participation is not guaranteed through the program, the Academy is already in discussions with event organizers who have “expressed their enthusiasm for sourcing the speakers available through the program,” the press release states.
“Organizers are not just looking for talent,” Bonner said in a statement. “They want authenticity, clarity and professionalism. We are excited to help expand the pool of voices who are ready to truly contribute at a high level.”
For more information, please visit the Industry Speaks Academy website.
Email Lillian Dickerson
