Over 800 REALTORS^® came together in Wisconsin Dells last month for three days of training, networking and entertainment at the 2023 WRA Annual Convention. 

The convention began with one-day CRS and Ninja Selling training courses, four real estate CE courses and the new Home Inspection Education House event. Festivities that kicked off the convention included the chairman’s installation & awards dinner where hundreds of REALTORS^® gathered to meet this year’s award winners and to watch the installation of Mary Jo Bowe as the 2024 WRA chair of the board along with the 2024 WRA leadership team.

REV2023 speakers Alex Weber and Pamela Barnum inspired everyone to discover their hidden strengths and master the art of nonverbal communications — powerful messages we all need to hear! Plus, a new convention keynote event this year was the Wisconsin economic forecast with UW Graaskamp Center director and housing economist Mark Eppli, Ph.D. Dr. Eppli spoke about what to expect next year in Wisconsin real estate so convention guests had a roadmap for their journey into the future.

Opening session was an absolute blast with the REV Rally discussion of the industry with WRA leaders as well as Tracy Kasper, the president of the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR). Following that discussion was the powerful message from keynote speaker and American Ninja Warrior Alex Weber. To make it even more memorable, everyone in attendance got to rock their very own “Riding with the Brand” hat complimentary of the National Association’s campaign that drives home the REALTOR^® difference.

The convention offered something for everyone in terms of professional development. Real estate experts from Wisconsin and beyond joined forces to deliver some major torque. Guests attended workshops, panels and the new Speed Round sessions. Whether it was AI, real estate law, marketing or more, everyone gained new tips at REV2023 for a throttle-gripping advantage in business.

And who could forget the fun?! The annual golf outing, 5K run/walk, trivia night, cocktail hour and everyone’s favorite — the icebreaker party — kept everyone revved up with excitement each day of the convention.

Real estate is a wild ride. But with REV2023, convention attendees left ready to embrace their journey. 

Thank you convention sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers

The WRA would like to give a special thanks to the following companies and organizations for their support of the 2023 WRA Annual Convention. 

A3 Marketing
Advanced Projector Technologies
AlphaGraphics Madison
Akrivus Real Estate Valuation Services 
Alltech National Title
America’s Preferred Home Warranty Inc.
American Home Shield/HSA Home Warranty
Asian Real Estate Association of America-Greater Milwaukee
Associated Bank
Choice Home Warranty
Cinch Home Services
Compeer Financial
CoVantage Credit Union
Crossbridge Community Bank 
CrossCountry Mortgage
Edina Realty
EXIT Realty
Exeter 1031 Exchange Services LLC
Fathom Realty LLC
Focus on Energy
Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Guaranteed Rate
Home Warranty of the Midwest Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Josh Lavik & Associates at eXp Realty
Knight Barry Title Inc.
Land Loop Inc.
Land Sales Bulletin
Metro MLS
MySignShine
National Association of REALTORS^®
Navy Federal Credit Union 
Old National Bank
Paperless Agent
Pearl Insurance
Preferred Title
REALTORS^® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin
Realty One Group
Roxy & Lola
Shutter Zone Media
ShowingTime
Smart Scan Medical Imaging
Stagerie
Stampfli Mortgage
Summit Credit Union
SVA Consulting 
Transworld Business Advisors of Kenosha
USDA Rural Development
UW Credit Union
VIV Clinic
WHEDA
Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors Inc.
Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Wisconsin REALTORS^® Association
Wisconsin REALTORS^® Foundation 
Wisconsin Real Estate Supply at Minuteman Press Brookfield
Wisconsin RRC
Women’s Council of REALTORS^®
Zillow

2023 award recipients

Every year at the annual convention, the WRA recognizes individuals who have devoted years of commitment and dedication to advance the REALTOR^® organization and the industry. And this year, we are honored to recognize several outstanding individuals for their efforts.

CRS Member of the Year

Donna Dowden
Century 21 Dairyland Realty, Medford

WCR Member of the Year 

Carla Nowka
Preferred Title, Madison

Distinguished Service Awards

Rita Blenker 
Century 21 Gold Key Realty, Marshfield

Jack Drzewiecki
Acre Realty, Appleton

Joe Horning
Shorewest REALTORS^®, Brookfield

RPAC Extraordinary Service Awards

Cheryl Eskridge
Eskridge Real Estate, Conover

Mary Gilbank
Shorewest REALTORS^®, Janesville

Chris Howard
Ogden & Company Inc., Milwaukee

Laura Kruschka
RE/MAX Realty Pros, Milwaukee

Jim Somers
Coldwell Banker Realty, Brookfield

WRA Chair Citation Award

Mike Wittenwyler
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Madison

WRA Lifetime Achievement Award

Mike Theo
Wisconsin REALTORS^® Association, Madison