Build-A-Broker, & other pre-conference events
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Educational sessions & opening networking party LOs In Wonderland
Exhibit Hall & educational sessions
NMLS Renewal Course
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Build-A-Broker is an in-person training event designed to help you establish the solid foundations of your business. This program is designed to show you the basics of setting up your business — from how to rent space, to what accounting programs are recommended — and will also cover topics including choosing your loan origination systems, how to pick a CRM system, and more.
Brokerage 101
Brokerage 101 focuses on the foundation for establishing your business, presented by experienced mentors. This course includes topics such as:
Add To Your Portfolio
We have a panel of lenders to discuss innovative products you can use to set your brokerage up for success, such as:
Establishing a Competitive Advantage
Few brokerages can fully grow without offering more than the standard-vanilla residential home mortgage. We bring in product experts to discuss an array of diverse products such as:
Brokerage 102
Brokerage 102 focuses on the additional foundational issues for establishing your business, with topics such as:
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Build-A-Broker is an in-person training event designed to help you establish the solid foundations of your business. This program is designed to show you the basics of setting up your business — from how to rent space, to what accounting programs are recommended — and will also cover topics including choosing your loan origination systems, how to pick a CRM system, and more.
Brokerage 101
Brokerage 101 focuses on the foundation for establishing your business, presented by experienced mentors. This course includes topics such as:
Add To Your Portfolio
We have a panel of lenders to discuss innovative products you can use to set your brokerage up for success, such as:
Establishing a Competitive Advantage
Few brokerages can fully grow without offering more than the standard-vanilla residential home mortgage. We bring in product experts to discuss an array of diverse products such as:
Brokerage 102
Brokerage 102 focuses on the additional foundational issues for establishing your business, with topics such as:
OriginatorTech is the half-day immersive experience of what the best lenders are offering to originators to create a perfect borrower experience. By attending this pre-Originator Connect event, you will:
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OriginatorTech is the half-day immersive experience of what the best lenders are offering to originators to create a perfect borrower experience. By attending this pre-Originator Connect event, you will:
Non-QM is here to stay. Learn from the pros working with Non-QM loans every day to understand why non-qualified mortgages are critical to achieving a competitive advantage, how they allow you to serve more borrowers, how to market to your real estate contacts, and so much more.View the full Non-QM Summit agenda here.
Non-QM is here to stay. Learn from the pros working with Non-QM loans every day to understand why non-qualified mortgages are critical to achieving a competitive advantage, how they allow you to serve more borrowers, how to market to your real estate contacts, and so much more.View the full Non-QM Summit agenda here.
Building a mortgage brokerage that’s attractive to acquirers takes more than production volume, it requires the right structure, systems, and mindset. In this session, two top-producing brokers who were acquired by publicly held companies — Jonathon Haddad (Next Door Mortgage, acquired by NerdWallet) and Jamie Cavanaugh (reAlpha Mortgage) join moderator Scott Geisel to break down what really drives brokerage value. From employment agreements and brand equity to compensation models and compliance practices, you’ll learn what makes a brokerage plug-and-play ready for acquisition — and why every broker should build like they’re planning to sell, even if they never do.
With over 27 years experience in the mortgage industry, Tim Davis, has condensed what top producers are doing into one simple concept, The Circle of Referrals.
In this session, you will learn
Plus much more.
Tim is the host of the daily podcast, The Originators Guide and the Founder of Personal Branding Mastery™ He has been a loan officer, company owner, and national coach to loan officers.
If you are looking for a simple solution to grow your business, you will find it in the lessons from this session.
Building a mortgage brokerage that’s attractive to acquirers takes more than production volume, it requires the right structure, systems, and mindset. In this session, two top-producing brokers who were acquired by publicly held companies — Jonathon Haddad (Next Door Mortgage, acquired by NerdWallet) and Jamie Cavanaugh (reAlpha Mortgage) join moderator Scott Geisel to break down what really drives brokerage value. From employment agreements and brand equity to compensation models and compliance practices, you’ll learn what makes a brokerage plug-and-play ready for acquisition — and why every broker should build like they’re planning to sell, even if they never do.
Join West Capital Lending for a powerful, no-fluff conversation with three of the broker world’s top producers, each with a completely different background, approach, and path to success. This isn’t theory, it’s battle-tested, in-the-trenches experience from leaders who’ve built unstoppable businesses in today’s market. Learn what worked (and what didn’t), how they overcame their biggest challenges, and the principles they live by to stay on top. Whether you're scaling your team, starting from scratch, or stuck in a rut, this panel will challenge how you think about success and leave you fired up to level up.
The Panel will be hosted by Matthew Blackmer, VP of Business Development and feature the following Vice Presidents of West Capital Lending:
Jide Buckley, 500k followers on instagram
Al Bennet, 40.6k followers on instagram
Minh Nguyen, 319k followers
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A discussion of creative problem solving and finding out of the box solutions for the consistent obstacles originators encounter. Presented by Doug Ingalls, Managing Director of TPO Sales, Daniel Kae, SVP TPO Sales, and Scott Houp, Managing Director TPO National Sales from Pennymac TPO.
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In today’s ever-changing mortgage landscape, one thing remains constant—people buy homes. In this dynamic session, James Gueltzow of American Heritage Lending will show loan officers how to build a sustainable, purchase-driven business through strong, value-based partnerships with Realtors. Attendees will learn why Realtors are the key to long-term referral success, how to find and connect with the right agents, and how to stand out in a competitive market. This session will offer actionable strategies for building trust, adding value, and creating consistent, repeatable business through Realtor relationships. Whether you're a seasoned originator or looking to grow your purchase pipeline, this session will provide the tools and insight you need to thrive.
Join West Capital Lending for a powerful, no-fluff conversation with three of the broker world’s top producers, each with a completely different background, approach, and path to success. This isn’t theory, it’s battle-tested, in-the-trenches experience from leaders who’ve built unstoppable businesses in today’s market. Learn what worked (and what didn’t), how they overcame their biggest challenges, and the principles they live by to stay on top. Whether you're scaling your team, starting from scratch, or stuck in a rut, this panel will challenge how you think about success and leave you fired up to level up.
The Panel will be hosted by Matthew Blackmer, VP of Business Development and feature the following Vice Presidents of West Capital Lending:
Jide Buckley, 500k followers on instagram
Al Bennet, 40.6k followers on instagram
Minh Nguyen, 319k followers
The difference between struggling and thriving comes down to your ability to consistently generate and convert leads. Top producer and Acez Academy leader Ali Charafeddine has cracked the code on automated lead generation, helping originators transform their businesses through proven systems and strategies. In this session, you'll discover how to build a personal brand that attracts business 24/7, automate your entire pipeline from lead to close, and create unstoppable referral partnerships. From implementing social media that sells to deploying follow-up systems that never sleep, you'll get the exact blueprint Ali has used to generate billions in volume and help countless originators scale their businesses.
In today’s unpredictable market, loan originators and brokers need more than pricing sheets and sales scripts—they need resilience, strategic clarity, and a CEO-level mindset. In this high-impact session, Evan M. Stone, CEO of Champions Funding and a capital markets veteran, shares how to thrive through volatility and build long-term success—regardless of rate conditions.
With deep insight into capital flows, loan pricing, and originator behavior, Evan delivers a roadmap for loan officers and brokers to move from transaction-focused thinking to sustainable, scalable growth. You’ll discover how to interpret market shifts like an insider, adopt entrepreneurial habits that drive consistency, and build mental resilience to stay sharp in every cycle.
Whether you’re navigating a cooling market or prepping for expansion, this session delivers the mindset tools and tactical strategies to help you not only survive—but lead and win.
Taking a project from raw land to a completed build can feel overwhelming - especially for first-time builders and investors. In this session, we’ll walk through the entire construction financing journey, focusing on what you need to know to confidently launch your first project. Learn how to find and vet reliable builders and potential investors, understand what documentation and financials are required, and discover how to position your deal for lender approval. We’ll also share insider tips on what Park Place Finance looks for in construction loan applications, how to navigate draw schedules, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re building a spec home, custom build, or small development, this presentation will give you a practical, step-by-step guide to turning land into a funded, successful project.
The difference between struggling and thriving comes down to your ability to consistently generate and convert leads. Top producer and Acez Academy leader Ali Charafeddine has cracked the code on automated lead generation, helping originators transform their businesses through proven systems and strategies. In this session, you'll discover how to build a personal brand that attracts business 24/7, automate your entire pipeline from lead to close, and create unstoppable referral partnerships. From implementing social media that sells to deploying follow-up systems that never sleep, you'll get the exact blueprint Ali has used to generate billions in volume and help countless originators scale their businesses.
Whether you're closing 1 or 20 loans a month, one thing is clear — you’re constantly running into problems that make it hard to grow. Most loan officers struggle to scale because they lack the systems, support, and strategies to overcome these obstacles.
Thuan Nguyen, one of the top-producing loan officers in the country for over 8 years, will share how he built the technology, marketing, branding, and processes that helped him close over 11,600 loans — all while spending 95% of his time building Loan Factory, the fastest-growing mortgage company in the world.
Thuan relentlessly improves every aspect of his business and openly challenges any loan officer or company to compare what they offer. His slogan says it all: “We Dare You To Compare.”
Join this session to learn what actually works, ask Thuan your questions live, and walk away with real strategies you can use to grow right now.
Knowledge is power! Borrowers want an industry-expert they trust to help the understand the best time to buy. Successfully generating and growing your business means understanding the economy. In this 30-minutes session, we’ll uncover the story of the U.S. economy, discover the ways Non-Agency solutions can help borrowers purchase or refinance property in 2025.
This is a competitive market, and staying in touch with existing contacts isn’t enough. You need a way to expand your reach and connect with new realtors, referral partners, and borrowers. That’s where GMCC’s AI-Lite technology steps in.
We’ll show you a new way to market by leveraging our cutting-edge AI technology. AI Lite matches “Active Listings” tailored to your desired area and filtered specifications, with GMCC's robust (non-government) Community Lending Grants, Programs, Special Pricing, as well as our hard-to-find GMCC Specialty Programs. This means you’re not just marketing—you’re offering real, lasting value that immediately connects with your audience.
Find out how this powerful tool can help you grow your market, increase your volume, and open doors to new opportunities. We’ve got the success stories to back it up!
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Whether you're closing 1 or 20 loans a month, one thing is clear — you’re constantly running into problems that make it hard to grow. Most loan officers struggle to scale because they lack the systems, support, and strategies to overcome these obstacles.
Thuan Nguyen, one of the top-producing loan officers in the country for over 8 years, will share how he built the technology, marketing, branding, and processes that helped him close over 11,600 loans — all while spending 95% of his time building Loan Factory, the fastest-growing mortgage company in the world.
Thuan relentlessly improves every aspect of his business and openly challenges any loan officer or company to compare what they offer. His slogan says it all: “We Dare You To Compare.”
Join this session to learn what actually works, ask Thuan your questions live, and walk away with real strategies you can use to grow right now.
The traditional “sell first, then buy” model creates challenges for everyone involved, clients face showings while living in their homes, temporary housing, and failed offers due to contingencies. Loan officers deal with delayed timelines, lower commissions, and lost transactions. This session explores how the "Buy Before You Sell" strategy helps borrowers unlock equity, avoid double moves, and strengthen offers, while giving loan officers a powerful edge in the race to differentiate, deliver modern lending solutions, and win borrower loyalty in a tight and competitive market.
The traditional “sell first, then buy” model creates challenges for everyone involved, clients face showings while living in their homes, temporary housing, and failed offers due to contingencies. Loan officers deal with delayed timelines, lower commissions, and lost transactions. This session explores how the "Buy Before You Sell" strategy helps borrowers unlock equity, avoid double moves, and strengthen offers, while giving loan officers a powerful edge in the race to differentiate, deliver modern lending solutions, and win borrower loyalty in a tight and competitive market.
It’s back, and it’s bringing the heat to the desert.
Hot Loans, the industry’s spiciest live event inspired by the hit YouTube series Hot Ones, returns to turn up the temperature in Las Vegas. This time, executives from some of the most talked-about brokerages in the country are stepping into the hot seat—literally.
These guys are sharp, seasoned, and built for high-stakes moments. But can even they handle what’s coming?
As they take on progressively hotter wings, they’ll also face a round of increasingly brutal broker-brawl questions. It’s grit versus heat, precision versus pressure. Only the toughest will keep their cool.
Moderated by Brandon Christensen, Instructor at MaxClass, this year’s lineup includes:
🌶 Thuan Nguyen, CEO, Loan Factory
🌶 Mike Kortas, CEO, Nexa Mortgage
🌶 Daniel Iskander, Co-Founder, West Capital Lending
🌶 Pablo Martinez, CEO, Equity Smart Home Loans
Will their industry expertise carry them through the fire? Find out at Hot Loans: Las Vegas Edition—the showdown where mortgage meets meltdown.
It’s back, and it’s bringing the heat to the desert.
Hot Loans, the industry’s spiciest live event inspired by the hit YouTube series Hot Ones, returns to turn up the temperature in Las Vegas. This time, executives from some of the most talked-about brokerages in the country are stepping into the hot seat—literally.
These guys are sharp, seasoned, and built for high-stakes moments. But can even they handle what’s coming?
As they take on progressively hotter wings, they’ll also face a round of increasingly brutal broker-brawl questions. It’s grit versus heat, precision versus pressure. Only the toughest will keep their cool.
Moderated by Brandon Christensen, Instructor at MaxClass, this year’s lineup includes:
🌶 Thuan Nguyen, CEO, Loan Factory
🌶 Mike Kortas, CEO, Nexa Mortgage
🌶 Daniel Iskander, Co-Founder, West Capital Lending
🌶 Pablo Martinez, CEO, Equity Smart Home Loans
Will their industry expertise carry them through the fire? Find out at Hot Loans: Las Vegas Edition—the showdown where mortgage meets meltdown.
Follow the white rabbit...
Celebrate with us at the official Originator Connect 2025 Opening Networking Party! Let's take the plunge down the rabbit hole where you’ll find that nothing is what it is, because everything is what it isn't. And contrariwise, what it is, it isn’t. And what it isn’t, it is. You see? Enjoy food, cocktails, entertainment, and more!
*Attendees must have checked in at registration and must have their badge present to attend the reception party.
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Follow the white rabbit...
Celebrate with us at the official Originator Connect 2025 Opening Networking Party! Let's take the plunge down the rabbit hole where you’ll find that nothing is what it is, because everything is what it isn't. And contrariwise, what it is, it isn’t. And what it isn’t, it is. You see? Enjoy food, cocktails, entertainment, and more!
*Attendees must have checked in at registration and must have their badge present to attend the reception party.
Join Pablo Martinez, CEO of Equity Smart Home Loans, and Serafin Rodarte, Operations Director, for a session packed with strategies loan officers can immediately apply. Learn how to structure your day for maximum productivity, reduce inefficiencies, and leverage tools and partnerships to close more loans. Pablo will share insights on utilizing technology and wholesale relationships, while Serafin will break down proven methods for managing growth and improving operations. Walk away with actionable techniques to close more loans, improve client satisfaction, and create long-term career stability in a competitive market.
Private lending has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative opportunities in the mortgage industry, especially for mortgage brokers. In this session, we’ll dive deep into real-world case studies showing how brokers have leveraged private lending options like fix and flip loans and DSCR loans to allow their clients to tackle diverse projects. Learn proven tactics to increase your profitability, build stronger client relationships, and position yourself as a trusted expert in this lucrative niche. Gain the confidence to turn private lending into a competitive edge!
Are you prepared for one of the fastest-growing origination opportunities? In 2025, loan origination activities are booming as over 11,000 Americans turn 62 each day and need retirement planning tools. If you're interested in offering reverse mortgages but don't know where to start, join our session! We'll help you quickly and easily serve the needs of older Americans with product education, marketing support, loan disclosures, and free processing. Let's explore this growing opportunity together.
Join Pablo Martinez, CEO of Equity Smart Home Loans, and Serafin Rodarte, Operations Director, for a session packed with strategies loan officers can immediately apply. Learn how to structure your day for maximum productivity, reduce inefficiencies, and leverage tools and partnerships to close more loans. Pablo will share insights on utilizing technology and wholesale relationships, while Serafin will break down proven methods for managing growth and improving operations. Walk away with actionable techniques to close more loans, improve client satisfaction, and create long-term career stability in a competitive market.
Private lending has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative opportunities in the mortgage industry, especially for mortgage brokers. In this session, we’ll dive deep into real-world case studies showing how brokers have leveraged private lending options like fix and flip loans and DSCR loans to allow their clients to tackle diverse projects. Learn proven tactics to increase your profitability, build stronger client relationships, and position yourself as a trusted expert in this lucrative niche. Gain the confidence to turn private lending into a competitive edge!
Are you prepared for one of the fastest-growing origination opportunities? In 2025, loan origination activities are booming as over 11,000 Americans turn 62 each day and need retirement planning tools. If you're interested in offering reverse mortgages but don't know where to start, join our session! We'll help you quickly and easily serve the needs of older Americans with product education, marketing support, loan disclosures, and free processing. Let's explore this growing opportunity together.
Everyone in the mortgage industry is wondering: what will the rise of Artificial Intelligence mean? There's no need to guess, since there's already one company that's been running on AI-powered systems since 2018. Sun West Mortgage's sister company, Celligence, created an AI underwriting and processing platform that Sun West has been using to power its company for the past five years. Underwriting is now measured in minutes, and processing tasks are primarily automated. This has allowed Sun West to make better loan decisions, expand credit to more communities, and free originators to spend more time building business rather than babysitting files. In the past year, Sun West has opened its system -- called Angel AI -- to the origination community at large, and backs loan decisions made by its system "100%" -- meaning that if an originator gets a green light from Angel AI, Sun West will commit to closing the loan, period. Don't miss this incredible session looking inside a large mortgage lender running its operations fully on artificial intelligence. The future is already here. So now the question is: what's next?
Freedom Mortgage Wholesale, a supporter of the mortgage broker community, is Historically, Currently, and 4EVER Wholesale. Freedom is presenting a panel of experienced mortgage professionals sharing their unique histories, current approaches, and strategic perspectives on achieving future success. Moderated by Allen Middleman, Executive Director at Freedom Mortgage, this discussion will explore how lasting businesses come to be. Get ready for interesting conversations with actionable insights to help you build a thriving 4EVER broker business. Let’s get building!
Host Allen Middleman will be joined by Paige Hernandez, Founder/Visionery of Notorious Women of Mortgage, Brendan McKay, Broker/Owner of McKay Mortgage Company, LLc, and Ramon Von Walker, President & CEO of Client Direct Mortgage.
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This presentation aims to empower mortgage industry professionals with the knowledge and foresight needed to navigate the evolving landscape of the market. By exploring innovative strategies, technological advancements, and market predictions, participants will be equipped to elevate their practices and stay ahead in this dynamic and competitive market.
Learning Objectives:
Everyone in the mortgage industry is wondering: what will the rise of Artificial Intelligence mean? There's no need to guess, since there's already one company that's been running on AI-powered systems since 2018. Sun West Mortgage's sister company, Celligence, created an AI underwriting and processing platform that Sun West has been using to power its company for the past five years. Underwriting is now measured in minutes, and processing tasks are primarily automated. This has allowed Sun West to make better loan decisions, expand credit to more communities, and free originators to spend more time building business rather than babysitting files. In the past year, Sun West has opened its system -- called Angel AI -- to the origination community at large, and backs loan decisions made by its system "100%" -- meaning that if an originator gets a green light from Angel AI, Sun West will commit to closing the loan, period. Don't miss this incredible session looking inside a large mortgage lender running its operations fully on artificial intelligence. The future is already here. So now the question is: what's next?
Freedom Mortgage Wholesale, a supporter of the mortgage broker community, is Historically, Currently, and 4EVER Wholesale. Freedom is presenting a panel of experienced mortgage professionals sharing their unique histories, current approaches, and strategic perspectives on achieving future success. Moderated by Allen Middleman, Executive Director at Freedom Mortgage, this discussion will explore how lasting businesses come to be. Get ready for interesting conversations with actionable insights to help you build a thriving 4EVER broker business. Let’s get building!
Host Allen Middleman will be joined by Paige Hernandez, Founder/Visionery of Notorious Women of Mortgage, Brendan McKay, Broker/Owner of McKay Mortgage Company, LLc, and Ramon Von Walker, President & CEO of Client Direct Mortgage.
This presentation aims to empower mortgage industry professionals with the knowledge and foresight needed to navigate the evolving landscape of the market. By exploring innovative strategies, technological advancements, and market predictions, participants will be equipped to elevate their practices and stay ahead in this dynamic and competitive market.
Learning Objectives:
Who’s building with brokers, and who’s building to replace them? Join Rocket Pro’s Dan Sogorka and Katie Sweeney for a straight-shooting conversation about the real future of wholesale. They’ll reveal what brokers are telling us behind closed doors, how that’s reshaping our strategy, and why trust - not just tech - is the difference between platform promises and real partnership.
If you’re wondering who’s truly in your corner, don’t miss this.
Who’s building with brokers, and who’s building to replace them? Join Rocket Pro’s Dan Sogorka and Katie Sweeney for a straight-shooting conversation about the real future of wholesale. They’ll reveal what brokers are telling us behind closed doors, how that’s reshaping our strategy, and why trust - not just tech - is the difference between platform promises and real partnership.
If you’re wondering who’s truly in your corner, don’t miss this.
Join us on the exhibit hall floor for a cocktail reception with the exhibitors.
Join us on the exhibit hall floor for a cocktail reception with the exhibitors.
Optional — Must Pre-Register
Registration opens at 8 am, class beings promptly at 9 am. Anyone not already registered at 9 am will not be allowed to take the class. Partial credit cannot be offered.
Fulfill your complete 8 hour continuing education requirements for your NMLS license renewal! This is a separately-ticketed bonus offering. Make the most of your time this year by getting all your federally-required CE at the expo, in addition to a conference full of networking, education, opportunities and prizes. Continuing Education course provided by MaxClass.
Important Note: You must take the entire 8 hour class to qualify for credit. We cannot give partial credit.
IMPORTANT: In addition to pre-registration, in order to qualify for admission to the free NMLS License Renewal Class, you must have attended the expo and had your Exhibit Hall passport marked by all exhibitors. Only one Exhibit Hall passport given per person.
Optional — Must Pre-Register
Registration opens at 8 am, class beings promptly at 9 am. Anyone not already registered at 9 am will not be allowed to take the class. Partial credit cannot be offered.
Fulfill your complete 8 hour continuing education requirements for your NMLS license renewal! This is a separately-ticketed bonus offering. Make the most of your time this year by getting all your federally-required CE at the expo, in addition to a conference full of networking, education, opportunities and prizes. Continuing Education course provided by MaxClass.
Important Note: You must take the entire 8 hour class to qualify for credit. We cannot give partial credit.
IMPORTANT: In addition to pre-registration, in order to qualify for admission to the free NMLS License Renewal Class, you must have attended the expo and had your Exhibit Hall passport marked by all exhibitors. Only one Exhibit Hall passport given per person.
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