The Most Dangerous Mistake Associations Make Before Hiring a CEO

From the outside, an Association Executive search may look simple. Post the job. Review resumes. Interview a few people. Choose the strongest candidate. But anyone who has been through a leadership search knows it is rarely that easy. Recruiting a chief staff executive for a REALTOR® association requires strategy, confidentiality, legal awareness, governance sensitivity, and a clear understanding of what makes association leadership different from other executive roles.

By |2026-05-14T06:09:17-07:00May 14th, 2026|Associations, MLS, Recruiting|Comments Off on The Most Dangerous Mistake Associations Make Before Hiring a CEO
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Before We Burn Down the MLS and the Industry With it, Can We Please Stop Fighting and Start Solving?

Are MLSs perfect? Absolutely not. Do some MLSs overstep their role and try to orchestrate how properties are sold instead of supporting the brokers and agents who actually have the legal relationship with the client? Yes. Do some MLSs need to listen more carefully to their brokers and evolve faster? Without question. But the idea that the MLS is somehow the villain in modern real estate is not only wrong, it is dangerous.

By |2026-05-07T09:55:39-07:00May 7th, 2026|Associations, Industry Observations, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Before We Burn Down the MLS and the Industry With it, Can We Please Stop Fighting and Start Solving?
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Applications Closing April 17th: Women’s Council of REALTORS® Hiring CEO to Elevate Impact of Organization

If you have been considering applying for the CEO role at the Women's Council of REALTORS®, now is the time to act. Applications close on April 17th. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most respected leadership organizations in real estate, and we do not want the right candidate to miss their window. Details on the role and the application link are below.

By |2026-04-10T05:10:35-07:00April 10th, 2026|Associations, Recruiting|Comments Off on Applications Closing April 17th: Women’s Council of REALTORS® Hiring CEO to Elevate Impact of Organization
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Boise Is Booming. Boise Regional REALTORS® Is Looking for the CEO Who Will Help Shape A Profitable Future for REALTORS®

Some leadership roles come with a desk and a title. This one comes with mountains, rivers, a thriving community, and the chance to work alongside some of the most genuine, hard‑working real estate professionals in the country. The Boise Regional REALTORS® Association (BRR) represents more than 6,000 real estate professionals across the Treasure Valley. The organization is now looking for a Chief Executive Officer who wants to be part of a growing region, build meaningful relationships, and help REALTORS® succeed in one of the most exciting housing markets in America.

By |2026-03-17T07:25:50-07:00March 17th, 2026|Announcements, Associations, Recruiting|Comments Off on Boise Is Booming. Boise Regional REALTORS® Is Looking for the CEO Who Will Help Shape A Profitable Future for REALTORS®
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Many Agents Don’t Value or Appreciate their Local Association: How Education Can Change That

Education is one of the most powerful drivers of perceived association value. When agents believe their association helps them become more successful in their business, engagement increases dramatically. 

By |2026-03-12T07:06:41-07:00March 12th, 2026|Associations, MLS, Thought Leadership|Comments Off on Many Agents Don’t Value or Appreciate their Local Association: How Education Can Change That
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Is Selling Your MLS the Only Option? Think Again.

Across the country, while some MLSs are exploring mergers or outright asset sales in response to consolidation pressure, technology costs, and uncertainty about the future, other MLS leaders are leaning in. They are modernizing operations, strengthening broker relationships, mitigating risk, and increasing the value of the most important asset they control: their data.

By |2026-03-10T07:06:55-07:00March 10th, 2026|Associations, M&A, MLS, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Is Selling Your MLS the Only Option? Think Again.
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Why Are So Many Great Association Executives Getting Fired? Part 2: The Failure Happens Before They’re Even Hired

About a year has gone by since my last article about why great Association Executives are getting fired and the landscape hasn’t improved much so I’m back at it. My observation is that many Association Executive failures don’t start with the CEO. They start with a board that never defined what success actually looks like. Six, twelve, or eighteen months later, everyone is frustrated. The board says the CEO “isn’t the right fit.” The CEO feels blindsided.. Confidence erodes. Staff morale drops. And another talented executive exits the industry wondering what just happened, sometimes after a very expensive lawsuit.

By |2026-02-24T11:02:42-08:00February 24th, 2026|Associations, MLS, Recruiting, Strategic Planning|Comments Off on Why Are So Many Great Association Executives Getting Fired? Part 2: The Failure Happens Before They’re Even Hired
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BEATS 2026: Where Real Estate Education Gets Reinvented

The WAV Group Customer Experience Index reveals that agents and brokers today are looking for education options that are carefully matched to their experience level and specific needs. One-size-fits-all programming no longer cuts it. To stay relevant and retain members, Associations must deliver learning experiences that speak directly to where each practitioner is in their career journey. That means education leaders need a constant pipeline of fresh ideas, innovative formats, and connections to speakers who truly understand the modern real estate professional.

By |2026-02-24T05:51:55-08:00February 23rd, 2026|Associations, Conferences|Comments Off on BEATS 2026: Where Real Estate Education Gets Reinvented
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Dial Up the Perceived Value of your MLS Data with Localized Market Reports

MLS and Public Records data is rich with insights. The problem is it can be very difficult to tap into the perspectives delivered by it. Some MLSs recognize this and are doing something about it. They are taking the powerful combination of active listing data and robust public records and transforming it into localized, actionable reports that help brokerages, teams, individual agents, demonstrate true market expertise and perspective. 

By |2026-02-19T10:55:02-08:00February 19th, 2026|Associations, MLS|Comments Off on Dial Up the Perceived Value of your MLS Data with Localized Market Reports
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Open MLS Is Not a Threat to Realtor Associations

For decades, the relationship between REALTOR associations and MLS organizations has followed a familiar structure. Associations often own the MLS, frequently through a for-profit subsidiary, and MLS access has traditionally required association membership. That model is now under increasing legal, competitive, and strategic scrutiny. A new WAV Group case study examining San Diego’s long-standing Open MLS environment offers real evidence to help leaders evaluate their next move.  

By |2026-02-17T08:21:13-08:00February 17th, 2026|Associations, MLS, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Open MLS Is Not a Threat to Realtor Associations
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Time to Deliver Training for Every Customer Segment you Serve

Education beyond CE is a great place to start to drive home the value of the Association. With effective, targeted communications, the Association can position itself as a partner in success, segmenting the type of education available by customer segment. For example, a new agent needs to know how to get to their first deal quickly so they can afford to stay in the business. A part-time agent may need to learn how to do enough business to be able to leave their other job and work in real estate full-time

By |2026-02-10T07:20:42-08:00February 10th, 2026|Associations, MLS|Comments Off on Time to Deliver Training for Every Customer Segment you Serve
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HAAR Launches Search for a Progressive, Relationship-Driven Association Executive

The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® (HAAR) is beginning a leadership search at a moment of extraordinary growth for both the organization and the region it serves. HAAR is seeking a progressive, forward-thinking Association Executive who brings fresh ideas, proven leadership experience, and a genuine passion for elevating the value of the REALTOR® community across North Alabama.

By |2026-02-02T07:40:23-08:00February 2nd, 2026|Associations, Recruiting|Comments Off on HAAR Launches Search for a Progressive, Relationship-Driven Association Executive
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