The Conference kicked off in style on Tuesday with our Second Annual? Cornhole Tournament on Julep Point, which supports the Alabama REALTORS® Foundation and its work to help real estate professionals in need. Twenty teams engaged in fierce competition as 27 spectators, who purchased tickets to root for their favorites, cheered each toss.

The upbeat event was the perfect way to start the conference festivities, and we offer sincere thanks to all who participated and hearty congratulations to our winners.

The Annual Awards Celebration and Installation Dinner held on the opening night featured a keynote address from Joan Lunden, who hosted ABC’s popular “Good Morning America” television show for 17 years, and honored several outstanding members along with the 2025 Alabama REALTORS® Executive Committee.

2024 AAR President Senia Johnson welcomed attendees while Susan Carothers, owner of SC Events and Communications, emceed the celebratory evening. 

Timothy Mills of the Mobile Area Association received the 2024 Robert Jemison Award, which is presented to an outstanding member who has served AAR for at least 15 years without holding an officer position. Hal Tillman of Birmingham Association received the 2024 David D. Roberts Award, which is given to an outstanding member with at least 20 years of dedicated service to AAR.

 The inaugural Brokerage of the Year Award was presented to three outstanding Alabama brokerages as Prestige Propertieswas recognized as the top small brokerage, Merit House Realty received the medium brokerage honor, and MarMac Real Estate was highlighted with the large brokerage prize. 

Tina Terry of the Morgan County Association was announced as the 2024 Alabama REALTOR® of the Year Award recipient for her contributions to the real estate profession, her fellow REALTORS®, and to the community-at-large.

The 2025 Executive Committee was installed as follows: Margie Beth Shaw, President; Mary Jane Owen, President – Elect; Senia Johnson, Immediate Past President; Dedra Cabaniss, Treasurer; Bo Evans, Secretary; Tim Brown, Northern Regional Vice President; Kim Harwood, North Central Regional Vice President; David Lucas, JSB Regional Vice President; Jeff Dickey, Central Regional Vice President; Linda Lou Parsons, Southern Regional Vice President.

Long-time Alabama REALTOR® Jim Lawrence administered the oath of office to our incoming Executive Committee.

The second day opened with the General Session moderated by Brian Copeland, a real estate agent and sales leader from Nashville, Tennessee, and featured an all-star lineup of noted industry experts. Members gained insight from speakers on topics that included Pricing Strategies, Four Agent Archetypes, How to Tackle the New Market With Confidence, and others.

Among the speakers were Harrison Beacher, the 2024 secretary of the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS®, real estate coach Debbie Holloway, Lisa Piccardo and Dean Cottrill of T3-Sixty, and special guest speaker Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen.

A special reception was held on Julep Point for ARPAC Major Investors, who each invest $1,000 or more annually in the Alabama REALTORS® Political Action Committee (APRAC).

These members go above and beyond to serve, support, and protect our industry, and their efforts helps us remain the leading voice of real estate in Alabama. 

The closing day’s events featured an exclusive broker breakfast and insightful sessions that included a presentation on the 7 Key Areas of Profitability by T3 Sixty’s Dean Cottrill and Lisa Piccardo,

Alabama REALTORS® CEO Jeremy Walker also provided a Legal and Advocacy Update, highlighting the latest legal developments directly impacting brokers and their businesses.

The conference was a great success thanks to the work and contributions of our members, speakers, and sponsors, all of whom carry our deepest appreciation.

Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s AAR Annual Conference, which will be held October 14-16, 2025.

To view more photos from the 2024 conference, click the button below to visit our Facebook page.