By David Nichols, 2026 KCRAR President
As I’ve spent time this year visiting with REALTORS® across our region, one theme continues to come up in our conversations.
Real estate is changing.
Markets evolve. Technology advances. Consumer expectations continue to rise.
The professionals who succeed over the long run are the ones who recognize those shifts early and adapt their businesses to meet them.
That idea will be front and center at Recharge Conference & Expo on March 18, where REALTORS® from across our region will come together to focus on the future of our profession.
One of the sessions I’m especially looking forward to is Terry Watson’s presentation, “Evolve or Evaporate™.” His message centers on a simple but powerful reality: the professionals who remain valuable, referable and relevant are the ones who continually sharpen their skills and adapt to a changing marketplace.
That same theme will carry into a conversation later that morning when I’ll be moderating a panel with Sherry Chris and Bobbi Howe of the National Association of REALTORS®.
Our focus will be the business case for REALTOR® membership.
Here’s something worth remembering.
Many of the tools REALTORS® rely on every day didn’t appear by accident. They exist because REALTORS® built them and continue to support them.
The truth is much of the infrastructure that supports our businesses was built by REALTORS® for REALTORS®.
Think about standard forms.
Across our region, REALTORS® write contracts using forms developed with legal guidance and updated regularly to reflect changes in law and practice. Those forms create clarity, consistency and protection for both REALTORS® and the clients they serve.
Or consider education.
Our associations offer continuing education that helps REALTORS® stay current on contracts, compliance, ethics and evolving industry practices. In a profession built on trust, staying informed isn’t optional, it’s essential.
That work happens right here through KCRAR, in partnership with our state and national REALTOR® organizations.
Then there’s advocacy.
The policies that shape housing, taxation, licensing and private property rights are constantly debated at the local, state and national levels. REALTOR® associations ensure that when those conversations happen, the professionals who understand the real estate marketplace are part of the discussion.
At Recharge, Sherry and Bobbi will help bring that national perspective into focus.
Sherry Chris currently serves as Special Advisor of Brokerages for NAR and has spent decades working with some of the largest brokerage brands in the country. Bobbi Howe, a Missouri broker-owner and past President of KCRAR, now serves as Vice President of Association Affairs for NAR and brings a perspective shaped by leadership at the local, state and national levels.
Bobbi is also a close personal friend, and I had the privilege of serving under her leadership both here at KCRAR and later when she served as President of Missouri REALTORS®. I’m especially looking forward to sharing the stage with her and continuing a conversation about how the REALTOR® organization supports professionals at every level of our industry.
During our discussion, we’ll explore topics many REALTORS® have been asking about recently. These include how NAR is modernizing its operations and financial transparency, the steps the Association is taking to reduce legal risk, how the strategic plan supports brokers and the evolving value proposition of our profession, and how advocacy efforts are advancing solutions to the national challenges around housing supply and affordability.
The success of our profession has always depended on REALTORS® who are willing to grow. Adapt. And stay engaged.
That’s exactly the mindset Terry Watson is encouraging when he challenges professionals to evolve, rather than evaporate.
And it’s also the reason REALTOR® associations continue to play an important role in supporting the businesses of the professionals they serve.
Because when you step back and look at it, REALTOR® membership isn’t just about belonging to an organization. It’s about investing in the profession that makes our businesses possible. And it’s a conversation I’m looking forward to continuing with many of you in the months ahead.
