WMLAR’s first 2025 general membership meeting: Celebrating progress, leadership and what’s next

On Mar. 26, the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of REALTORS® kicked off its first General Membership Meeting of 2025 with a strong message of leadership, strategic growth, and member celebration. Held under the guidance of 2025 President Dan Hendrick, the meeting was packed with essential updates, meaningful recognitions, RPAC awards, committee reports and forward-looking conversations about our industry’s evolving landscape.

Strategic Direction and MLS Improvements

CEO Jon Broadbooks emphasized how WMLAR’s efforts are now guided by a clear and updated strategic plan. With input from leadership and members, the 2025 plan builds on last year’s foundation to enhance education offerings, professional standards, private property rights advocacy, and MLS management.

One of the key highlights was WMLAR’s renewed commitment to MLS data integrity. With a stronger emphasis on accurate listing information, the association has realigned staff roles—naming Erin Burling as the new Membership and MLS Coordinator. Her role? Helping ensure MLS data meets our standards. Jon shared that while over $4,000 in fines were avoided through education and corrections in just two months, repeat offenses may now result in penalties.

“Training and collaboration come first,” Jon said. “We want to work with our members to get it right—before it becomes punitive.”

Diving Into Industry-Specific Topics

We took a deep dive into a pressing issue for REALTORS® in our area—well & septic inspections before WMLAR CEO, Jon Broadbooks, and MichRIC CEO, Anton Letica, had an engaging talk about the future of the MLS post-settlement.

Despite changes in how compensation is communicated, the value of the MLS as a broker cooperative remains critical. Anton reminded us that in markets without strong MLS systems, false advertising and lack of reliable data are common.

Why the MLS still matters:

Broker cooperation ensures a fair and transparent market.
Data accuracy maintains integrity for all parties involved.
Market stability prevents monopolization by third-party platforms.
Fair competition ensures all brokerages—large and small—have equal access.

They also discussed MichRIC’s commitment to protecting MLS data, including licensing agreements, audits, and authentication systems designed to safeguard listings from misuse and unauthorized access.

(And yes, they even had a light-hearted moment debating who had the cuter dog: Anton’s golden doodle Marshall, or Jon’s standard poodle Milo. In true REALTOR® spirit, it was a draw.)

Looking Ahead

With a strong foundation, dedicated leadership, and an engaged membership, WMLAR is well-positioned for a powerful 2025. From the launch of the Leadership Academy to critical discussions on MLS data, we’re embracing change with clarity and purpose—together.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and continues to shape the future of WMLAR.

#WMLAR #REALTORLeadership #RealEstateProfessionals #MLSIntegrity #WMLARLeadershipAcademy #MemberCelebration

A Special Thanks to Our Event Photographer

We’d also like to extend a big thank you to Ace Covey with Mitten Real Estate Media for capturing the energy and connection of the day with great photos. Ace isn’t just snapping pictures—he’s helping REALTORS® turn listings into “must-have” homes and elevate their personal brand with top-notch media services. And bonus? He knows it’s pronounced Real-tor. 😄 Thanks again, Ace!