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ANNUAL EVENT
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join us for the 2026 ARA/FMLS Showcase at the Coca-Cola Roxy at The Battery Atlanta for an afternoon of connection, insight, and opportunity.
This annual event brings together REALTORS®, real estate professionals, industry affiliates, Community Partners, and select vendors for a day designed to support professional growth and meaningful networking. Guests are invited to arrive early for a lunch reception with complimentary bar service before the speaker sessions begin.
This year’s Showcase will take a deeper look at Metro Atlanta’s place on the world stage and how global partnerships, economic development, and international business connections can create new opportunities for real estate professionals and the communities they serve.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a curated lineup of dynamic speakers, connect with Community Partners and featured vendors, collect event swag, and discover resources that can help support and grow their business.
Event Details
When: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Where: Coca-Cola Roxy at The Battery Atlanta
800 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Your ticket includes food, drinks, and reserved seating during the speaker sessions. Tickets are on sale now and going quickly.
Featured Speaker Lineup:
Keynote Kickoff
Giulio Azzolini, CEO of Listings+ (the Italian MLS)
Global Growth Fireside Chat
Georgia Department of Economic Development Representative
Moderator: Jeremy Crawford, President & CEO, FMLS
Economic Presentation
Leslie Appleton-Young, Chief Economist, FMLS
ARA Member Fireside Chat / Panel
David Garrison, Bolst, Inc.
Anita Kauka, Harry Norman, REALTORS®
Whitney Kennedy, Weichert REALTORS® | Prestige Partners
Moderator: Quinn Arnau, 2026 President, Atlanta REALTORS® Association
Run of the Show:
CEO of Listing+, marketing, communications, and proptech specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the real estate sector. A pioneer in the development and adoption of the MLS model in Italy, he founded and led the growth of Listing+, the first integrated platform connecting over 2,700 Italian real estate professionals and providing access to a global network of more than 200,000 agents worldwide. By bringing together Italy’s first MLS, advanced CRM capabilities, and AI-powered automation, Listing+ provides a complete business management ecosystem designed to enhance productivity, collaboration, and performance for real estate agents nationwide.
With more than 20 years of experience, David Garrison specializes in residential, investment, international, and light commercial real estate, serving clients locally in Atlanta and across the globe. As a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), he leverages a trusted network of REALTORS®, attorneys, lenders, tax advisors, and relocation professionals to guide clients through every stage of buying, selling, and relocating internationally. David also provides access to carefully vetted international properties and new-build developments in Spain, Mexico, and Central America. His commitment to ethical, global real estate is reflected in his service on NAR's 2026 Global Business and Alliances Committee and memberships with SIRA, FIABCI, the Atlanta REALTORS® Association, AMPI, and AREAA. The David Garrison Global real estate team is with Bolst Real Estate at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA.
Stefan Harrigan is Senior Manager of Global Business Development at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, where he leads international initiatives focused on foreign direct investment, export promotion, and global partnerships. Previously, he served as an International Trade Manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, advising businesses on international growth strategies and promoting Georgia exports worldwide. He has also held roles with the U.S. Department of State and the International Centre for Counter Terrorism in The Hague. Stefan holds degrees from Leiden University College, Tufts University's Fletcher School, and the Collège d'Europe, and is fluent in German and proficient in Dutch.
Harry Norman, REALTORS®
Anita Kauka is a REALTOR® with Harry Norman, Realtors, bringing more than 21 years of real estate experience and over 400 successful transactions across Georgia. Born in Ghana to an Indian father and Lebanese mother, she offers a global perspective, speaks English, French, and Arabic, and is known for her professionalism, market expertise, and client-first approach. Whether working with first-time buyers, luxury clients, investors, or relocating families, Anita is committed to delivering exceptional service and outstanding results. Outside of real estate, she enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and giving back to her community.
Whitney Kennedy is Vice President of Global Relocation at Weichert, Realtors® – Prestige Partners, where she leads domestic and international workforce mobility solutions and oversees brokerage operations. She partners with corporations, employees, and real estate professionals to deliver seamless relocation experiences worldwide. An active leader in the real estate industry, Whitney serves on the Atlanta REALTORS® Association Board of Directors, chairs the 2026 Top Producers Committee, and holds leadership roles with the Georgia Association of REALTORS®, while also participating in the National Association of REALTORS® and WERC®.
Hillary Maddox is the Director of International Strategy & Operations for the Global Commerce division at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, where she supports international investment, global partnerships, and foreign direct investment efforts. Previously, she worked with the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., supporting European companies expanding into the U.S. and managing transatlantic programs and delegations. With experience living and working in Europe, Germany, New York, and Atlanta, Hillary brings a global perspective and collaborative approach to building partnerships and creating economic opportunities for Georgia.
Leslie Appleton-Young is Chief Economist at FMLS and former Vice President and Chief Economist for the California Association of REALTORS®, where she served for more than 35 years. A nationally recognized real estate economist and speaker, she is also co-founder of WomanUP!, an initiative dedicated to advancing women into leadership roles within the real estate industry. Appleton-Young holds degrees in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.
As President and CEO of First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), Jeremy sits at the helm of the 4th largest MLS in the United States with over 57,000 subscribers. An east Tennessee native, he is a highly technical leader who is passionate about positively impacting the future of real estate to the benefit of Brokers and Agents across the state of Georgia and beyond. Prior to joining FMLS, he served as CEO of the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) which operates under the National Association of REALTORS® umbrella. Jeremy’s experience also includes executive positions with MLS Listings’ COO/CIO (San Francisco Bay Area), CIO of Sandicor MLS (San Diego), and as one of the first employees at MarketLinx which is today known as Corelogic.
Quinn is serving as the 2026 President of the Atlanta REALTORS® Association. A 2004 graduate of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, he earned a degree in Economics. Currently, he is a partner in a top-producing real estate team with his long time friend and ARA 2023 President Michael Fischer. He was named REALTOR® of the Year by the Atlanta REALTORS® Association in 2021. He and his wife, Erica, live in Atlanta’s Grant Park neighborhood with their four-year-old son, Frank and their bulldog, Wilson. In his free time, Quinn enjoys snow skiing, training jiu-jitsu, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.
Learn about our Community Partner Program & see how you can get involved.