I don’t take time away from my clients lightly. If I’m going to step out of my normal rhythm, it has to be for something that genuinely makes me better for the people I serve. That’s exactly what happened at Keller Williams Family Reunion 2026 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, February 21–24, 2026.
This year was special for another reason: more than 25 agents from my Market Center traveled together, and we joined about 10,000 other agents who came in from across the country—and across the world. The second you walk into that environment, you feel it: momentum, optimism, and a whole lot of people serious about leveling up.
The schedule was grueling… and it was tremendously fun
I’m going to be honest: the schedule was grueling.
Early mornings, packed days, nonstop movement. It was the kind of week where you’re taking notes with one hand and shaking hands with the other. And yet, it was also tremendously fun—because I was surrounded by agents who love what they do and are hungry to learn.
Being there with other agents from my Market Center made it even better. We were bouncing between sessions together, trading “you’ve got to hear this” takeaways, and laughing in those little in-between moments when your feet hurt but your brain is on fire in the best way.
My wife joined me for the first two days—and that made it even more meaningful
One of my favorite parts of the trip was that my wife came with me for the first two days.
She got to spend time with agents from our Market Center, put faces with names, and experience the culture that makes Keller Williams feel different. There’s something powerful about your spouse seeing the people you work alongside—the relationships, the camaraderie, and the shared commitment to doing business the right way.
And for me personally, that mattered because this trip wasn’t only about education—it was also connected to my responsibilities as a member of the Agent Leadership Council (ALC).
At Keller Williams, the ALC functions as the Market Center’s “Board of Directors”—an agent-led group that helps guide decisions, protect culture, and keep the Market Center moving in a healthy direction.
SocialMediaCon + Gary Keller’s market update: strategy, clarity, direction
A big highlight was SocialMediaCon, which KW positioned as a dedicated experience inside Family Reunion—focused specifically on social media strategy and execution.
For me, the value wasn’t “post more.” It was learning how to:
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communicate more clearly,
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show up consistently,
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and build trust at scale—without losing authenticity.
Then there was the bigger-picture clarity from the Vision Speech / market-focused programming, which is part of Family Reunion’s main-stage content.
I left that session with a stronger internal compass: focus on fundamentals, elevate the consumer experience, and bring more certainty into every transaction—even when the market feels noisy.
The classes I chose: AI automations, database mastery, and easier transactions
I targeted sessions that would translate directly into a better client experience—especially around:
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AI automations (reducing busywork so clients get faster, clearer service),
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making the most of my database (staying meaningfully connected, not just “checking a box”),
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and stronger systems that make the path from contract to closing smoother.
And yes—these weren’t “someday” ideas. Family Reunion’s agenda included sessions like “Set It and Forget It: Automate Real Estate Workflows with AI” and transaction-focused classes like “Bulletproof the Transaction”—exactly the type of content I went looking for.
Here’s what that means in real life for my clients:
For sellers: cleaner timelines, tighter communication, stronger follow-through, and fewer “What happens next?” moments.
For buyers: clearer guidance, proactive planning, and fewer surprises—so the process feels calmer and more predictable.
AI isn’t here to make real estate less personal. It’s here to remove friction—so I can spend more time advising, negotiating, and protecting outcomes.
Cross-pollination: meeting referral partners from across the U.S.
Another huge win was connecting with agents from all over the United States—true cross-pollination of ideas and relationships.
I met referral partners I can confidently send my clients to when they’re moving out of state, and I built relationships with agents who can send people my way when they’re relocating to South Carolina. That’s not just networking—that’s building a trusted bridge for clients who need a professional on the other end.
Why this mattered to me
Keller Williams calls Family Reunion its biggest learning and networking experience of the year—and that description matches what I felt walking out of the Georgia World Congress Center each day: I was tired… and I was better.
I went to Atlanta to come home with:
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sharper systems,
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smarter automation,
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stronger relationships,
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and a clearer plan to serve my buyers and sellers.
And I did.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling this year, I’d love to put this fresh playbook to work for you.
I’m David Locke with Locke & Key Associates—and I’m committed to making your next move not only successful, but genuinely easier.
AND... What is up with the photo for this blog? It is a ode to a photograph in Glenn Hotel in Atlanta where we stayed.
