Reflections from Level Up Event 2025 | Sotheby's International Realty

The Power of Innovation, Intention and Connection

Attending the Level Up Conference this year was a refreshing reminder of what makes Sotheby's network invaluable. It brought together professionals who genuinely care about raising the bar in our industry, and the energy throughout the event made it clear: we’re all here to grow, innovate, and connect in meaningful ways. What I appreciated most were the conversations, some planned, many spontaneous, that opened the door to new relationships and fresh ideas. Whether talking strategy with agents from major metropolitan markets or comparing notes with colleagues serving resort and second-home destinations, the exchange was honest, generous, and incredibly helpful. It’s rare to be in a room where everyone is both accomplished and still eager to learn from one another, and that spirit made the experience truly stand out.

The environment itself felt distinctly “Sotheby’s”—elevated, intentional, and thoughtfully curated without ever feeling formal or inaccessible. There’s an unspoken understanding within this brand: we take the work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. That balance set the tone for the entire event. Every session, conversation, and shared moment felt aligned with the standard of professionalism and creativity that our clients expect from us.

I attended talks like Amy Cudy's, who spoke on the value of trust in our industry, and Matthew Ferrera's, who emphasized that real estate is a human profession, and requires courage and intentional self-development. Both of these speakers not only persevered through numerous challenges in their lives, but grew because of them. Each of them emphasized how this personal growth comes first to your business growing. Each speaker brought their own insight, but the common theme was using trust as a bedrock for business relationships, and how much value customers place in staying in the loop. It was encouraging to hear the value of these principles that are so central to our practice at Benna Mountain Luxury, and to learn new tools to help our clients and stay at the top of our game with new innovations in the industry.

As I look back on the conference, what stays with me most is a sense of gratitude. Grateful for the chance to learn from so many talented peers. Grateful for the connections that will continue to shape the way I approach my business this year. And grateful to be part of a network where excellence isn’t just encouraged, it’s the collective baseline.

I left Level Up inspired, refocused, and excited to bring these insights back to my work with our Benna Mountain Luxury Team. There’s nothing more motivating than being surrounded by people who continually push you to elevate your craft, and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum forward in the months ahead.