Minnesota REALTOR® Selected to Speak at NAR NXT 2026 in New Orleans By : Ken Alger REALTOR®

 

Minnesota REALTOR® Selected to Speak at NAR NXT 2026 in New Orleans

By: Ken Alger, REALTOR®

 

I recently received some news that I am incredibly excited to share. I have been selected as a national speaker for the 2026 NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience conference in New Orleans, where I will present a session titled Professionalism Under Pressure: Fair Housing Risk in a Polarized Environment.

When I submitted my proposal, I knew there were no guarantees. NAR NXT is the National Association of REALTORS®' flagship conference, and educational sessions are selected through a competitive Call for Proposals process. Receiving the notification that my presentation had been accepted was both exciting and humbling.

NAR NXT brings together REALTORS®, brokers, educators, association leaders, and industry professionals from across the United States for education, networking, professional development, and conversations about the future of real estate. To have the opportunity to contribute to that national conversation is something I genuinely do not take for granted.

As a Minnesota REALTOR® and the 2026 Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®, I am proud to represent both my local association and Minnesota's real estate community on a national stage. Over the years, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about professionalism, communication, consumer trust, Fair Housing, and the responsibilities we carry as real estate professionals. Those experiences helped shape the presentation that I will be delivering this November.

My session, "Professionalism Under Pressure: Fair Housing Risk in a Polarized Environment", focuses on a topic that I believe is increasingly relevant in today's real estate industry.

When many people hear the words "Fair Housing," they immediately think about laws, regulations, and compliance requirements. While those things are certainly important, the reality is that Fair Housing often appears in much more ordinary situations. It can arise during buyer consultations, listing appointments, property showings, text messages, emails, social media interactions, online discussions, and everyday conversations with clients.

The presentation explores professionalism, communication, Fair Housing risk management, and ethical decision-making in a modern real estate environment. Real estate professionals routinely work with people from different backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and life circumstances. Navigating those interactions effectively requires more than simply knowing the rules. It requires judgment, discipline, professionalism, and the ability to communicate clearly when situations become uncomfortable or emotionally charged.

 

 

My goal is not to approach the topic from a political perspective. Instead, I want to focus on practical, real-world situations that REALTORS® encounter every day. The presentation examines how assumptions, language choices, written communication, social media activity, and emotionally charged conversations can sometimes create unintended Fair Housing risks, even when the intent is positive.

The core message of the presentation is simple: Fair Housing is not just about compliance. It is also a professional skill.

Many of the greatest risks facing REALTORS® today do not arise from obvious misconduct. They often arise from assumptions, casual language, misunderstandings, emotional conversations, or attempts to be helpful without a clear professional framework. Understanding how to navigate those moments protects clients, protects practitioners, and ultimately strengthens public trust in our profession.

I am grateful to the National Association of REALTORS® for the opportunity to contribute to this conversation. I am also proud to represent Minnesota and the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® at one of the most significant real estate conferences in the country.

Real estate has given me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and help clients through some of the most important decisions they will ever make. Opportunities like this remind me how connected our profession truly is. Whether serving clients here in Minnesota or speaking to REALTORS® from across the country, the goal remains the same: helping people navigate important decisions with professionalism, integrity, and trust.

I look forward to joining fellow REALTORS® in New Orleans, Louisiana this November and contributing to a conversation about professionalism, communication, Fair Housing, and the future of the real estate industry.