What a big year it’s been for the Illinois Young Professionals Network (YPN)!

At the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Francisco, our Illinois YPN Advisory Board was awarded State Network of the Year from National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

Our advisory board has been hard at work this past year rolling out podcast episodes, downloads for new agents, and delivered several successful events with all-star line-ups. Illinois YPN’s biggest goal is to provide value to its members by providing education or networking opportunities that are going to benefit them. Whether it’s a panel on how to thrive through market shifts or how to expand their network with Industry Partner networks, we want to provide usable tips and tools for members to use in their daily business.

Here are some highlights from the year: 

YPN Podcasts

New this year, are the Illinois YPN podcast episodes on the Illinois REALTORS® Podcast channel (available on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, and Tune In). They feature our YPN members, giving tips and resources on evergreen topics for agents that are new in the business. To date, four episodes have been recorded on the following topics:

Also available, you can download a print version of the YPN Success Tips download as well as catch up on blog posts from throughout the year.  

2019 Events:

Illinois REALTORS® Lobby Day, Illinois YPN hosted a program “Disrupt Yourself,” featuring Harrison Beacher, NAR YPN Advisory Board, and Nobu Hata, NAR Director of Industry Outreach. Nobu and Harrison shared their insights on how to confront and thrive with the shifts in a shifting market. REALTORS® learned how to address and adapt to the changes in today’s real estate industry to succeed.

At Illinois REALTORS® Fall Business, Illinois YPN hosted a panel discussion among leaders of the Illinois chapters of Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP), the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).

Each of the representatives outlined the challenges their members face, the communities they serve and the importance of diversity and inclusiveness to the success of the real estate industry. They welcomed others to join their organizations, too. The panel was moderated by Jakeeva Lee, Illinois REALTORS® Industry Partners Liaison (also manager of external affairs for the Chicago Association of REALTORS®).

Meet the 2019 Illinois YPN Advisory Board:

  • Brian Kwilosz, Chair
  • Eddie Ruettiger, Vice Chair
  • Nicholas Apostal
  • Jayme Ahlden Fay
  • Maurice Hampton
  • Gibby Kirby
  • Christopher Mitchell
  • Naja Morris
  • Kasey Taylor
  • Victor Tellez Drue
  • Rebecca Thomson
  • Amanda Wycoff

Illinois REALTORS® YPN staff liaisons: Kim Buscher, Dana Gurnsey and Kelli Jessup

Each year, NAR gives out YPN Network of Year awards in the following categories:  

  • Small <2,000 REALTORS®
  • Medium 2,000-5,000 REALTORS®
  • Large 5,000-10,000 REALTORS®
  • Mega 10,000+ REALTORS® (new category for 2019)
  • State
Visit YPN

Learn more about Illinois REALTORS® Young Professionals Network

We invite you to get involved with Illinois YPN which is open to all Illinois REALTORS® who are young in the business and want to stay on top of the latest trends and tools, while networking with like-minded individuals. Illinois YPN holds specific programs at Capitol Conference in April and the Fall Business Meetings. Across the state there are 11 local YPN groups that meet all year round. And be sure to connect with us on Facebook @Illinois YPN.

Visit YPN