The Illinois REALTORS® 2023 Spring Conference & Expo kicked off today with keynote speaker Brian Biro presenting “Breakthrough Leadership,” followed by Champaign-area REALTOR® Matt Difanis leading a three-hour elective continuing education course, “Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing.”

Biro, whose presentation ended with two members breaking wooden boards with their bare hands, encouraged attendees to “focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.” Natalie Mulhall and Kristie Tindall were the volunteers who broke the boards while all the other members crowded around and cheered for them. Biro concluded by telling members, “Every one of you is a breakthrough leader.”

Also, attendees had a few hours to visit vendors in the expo before wrapping up the day with an Illinois REALTORS® Young Professionals Network (YPN) Networking Reception at the nearby restaurant, Zapata’s.

Attendees were welcomed by Illinois REALTORS® President Michael Gobber and Conference & Expo Committee Chair Kris Rosser Schmitt.