For three days in early October, Sotheby’s International Realty® affiliates from around the world gathered at San Francisco’s Moscone Center West for the 2026 Global Networking Event (GNE). It was a celebration of the brand’s 50th anniversary and a time to explore the opportunities that will define its next chapter.
Guided by the theme Fifty Years Forward, Sotheby’s International Realty GNE 2026 brought together decades of heritage, underscored the
power of international relationships, and dove into emerging wealth trends. Conversations moved between AI, the evolving meaning of luxury, capital migration, marketing innovation, and the relationships that connect extraordinary properties with buyers around the globe.
For Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty President and CEO Dean Jones and VP of Marketing and Brand Scott Hannaman, GNE was a celebration of an iconic brand and an opportunity to consider what comes next for the Pacific Northwest.
An Atmosphere of Connection, Confidence, and Pride
From an opening reception surrounded by contemporary masterpieces at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to a black-tie celebration at the historic San Francisco City Hall, GNE reflected the sophistication and cultural connections synonymous with Sotheby’s International Realty. The days were filled with compelling keynote presentations, collaborative discussions, and opportunities to exchange insights with colleagues representing markets around the world. Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn took the stage to deliver her perspective on resilience, adaptability, and sustained excellence.
For Jones, the event’s defining quality went beyond the impressive programming. It was the confidence shared throughout the global real estate network.
Describing the atmosphere as energetic and comprehensive, Jones reflected on the extraordinary sense of momentum surrounding the brand. Despite the breadth of information presented, one feeling stood above the rest.
“In a single word, it was ‘PRIDE’.” -Dean Jones
Jones also pointed to the collaborations occurring beyond the formal agenda, where spontaneous conversations, introductions, and gatherings created opportunities of their own. To Jones, it was further evidence of a trusted network whose greatest strength is its people.
Scott Hannaman shared that sentiment, saying, “The Sotheby’s brand is so much more than real estate. It is art, culture, influence, and intelligence wrapped up into one beautiful blue brand that understands exactly who it is.”
The New Landscape of Luxury: Technology, Wealth & Changing Expectations
The future of luxury real estate was a central theme throughout GNE, with discussions examining how innovation, consumer behavior, and new sources of wealth are reshaping markets.
Sessions including The New Rules of Luxury, Decoding the 1% Consumer, and Watch Me Work: AI Edition explored everything from changing definitions of value to practical applications of AI and the continued importance of exceptional client experiences. Rachel Schindler of the Bellevue office found it to be a reminder of how best to put AI into practice: “Dream big, and ask it to follow.”
For both Jones and Hannaman, the event reinforced a significant economic trend: the influence of AI-driven wealth creation, particularly in San Francisco and the broader technology economy.
Jones sees similarities between today’s emerging AI economy and the technology-driven wealth expansion of the late 1990s. In his view, the resulting capital formation could create meaningful ripple effects throughout the Pacific Northwest, supporting economic activity and future housing demand.
Hannaman offered a similarly forward-looking observation: “The money is always moving and right now it seems to be following AI.”
Jones also emphasized the importance of tracking migration in the opposite direction. Conversations surrounding Washington State’s tax environment and the appeal of more tax-friendly destinations highlighted how policy, lifestyle, and financial planning can influence real estate decisions across markets.
These shifting patterns create opportunities on both sides of a transaction. Buyers relocating to the Pacific Northwest may arrive with newfound wealth and evolving lifestyle priorities, while Washington residents considering other markets increasingly benefit from knowledgeable introductions and a broader understanding of their options.
For RSIR, anticipating these movements and cultivating relationships in the markets they connect remains an important part of serving clients in an increasingly mobile luxury landscape.
The Power of a Truly Global Network
The Sotheby’s International Realty network spans more than 1,100 offices in 86 countries and territories, bringing together local expertise, market intelligence, and professional relationships on an international scale. And if there was one unifying concept at GNE, this was it: connection.
For Hannaman, conversations with colleagues from Panama, France, and other destinations reinforced the accessibility of that global community. His experience at GNE’s Marketing Summit further demonstrated the willingness of affiliates to share ideas, resources, and strategies rather than operate independently.
“The strength of this network lives in its relationships. We have access to extraordinary local expertise around the world, connected by a shared commitment to service.” -Scott Hannaman
For Jones, the strength of those relationships was illustrated in an especially memorable moment.
During the event’s general session, Tammy Fahmi, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth for Sotheby’s International Realty, recognized Jones and his referral connections with Randy Char of Las Vegas Sotheby’s International Realty before the international audience.
The acknowledgment highlighted how proactive partnerships between affiliates can respond to evolving migration patterns, market conditions, and lifestyle priorities.
A Legacy of Distinction, a Future of Innovation
Among the anniversary highlights was the unveiling of The Art of Refined Living, a commemorative book developed in collaboration with luxury publisher Assouline. Through exceptional architecture, remarkable properties, and the stories behind them, the publication
celebrates the art of living beautifully.
The introduction of the global Well-Connected marketing campaign carried a similarly meaningful message, bringing the value of human relationships to the forefront of the brand’s storytelling.
For RSIR, these initiatives reinforce the importance of translating global brand recognition into thoughtful, distinctive property marketing.
As Hannaman explained, “Beautiful marketing earns attention, but meaningful differentiation comes from telling a property’s story with insight, understanding its audience, and demonstrating the expertise behind every recommendation.”
Technology will be an important part of that evolution. Jones identified the Compass International Holdings HOME platform as a potential opportunity to improve broker productivity and work-life balance, allowing advisors to dedicate more time to building relationships and delivering exceptional service.
Bringing Global Perspective Home to the Pacific Northwest
The conversations in San Francisco come at an important moment for Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty.
Following the recent combination with Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty, RSIR has expanded its presence across the Eastside and into Snohomish County, strengthening its regional platform and creating additional opportunities for collaboration throughout the greater Puget Sound market.
For Jones, the potential influence of AI-driven wealth creation, evolving tax policies, and migration patterns underscores the importance of positioning RSIR ahead of emerging market movements. His vision is one of proactive leadership, in which market intelligence and international relationships help the brokerage recognize opportunities before they become widely understood.
For Scott Hannaman, the path forward begins with making the global network a more active part of everyday business. Building relationships before a referral is needed, sharing local expertise with colleagues around the world, and considering a property’s potential audience beyond its immediate market can all create additional value for brokers and clients.
Enrica Zeggio from the Kirkland office had a similar takeaway: “The network’s value grows when we take the initiative to participate. GNE opened the door, but the follow-up is what turns an introduction into a trusted resource for our clients.”
For Gregory Neff, also of the Kirkland office, GNE was “a rare chance to build relationships across global markets, asking thoughtful questions and learning about their business, which is where future referral partnerships begin.”
Fifty Years Forward: Turning Connections into Opportunity
As the Sotheby’s International Realty community looks toward its next 50 years, GNE 2026 offered a compelling reminder that the future of luxury real estate will be defined by both progress and connection. New technologies will transform how advisors work, shifting wealth patterns will create new markets and opportunities, and expectations for exceptional service will continue to rise. Yet the relationships that connect people, properties, and possibilities remain central to what distinguishes Sotheby’s International Realty.
Hannaman captured that ambition in his vision for what comes next: “The biggest opportunity for RSIR coming out of GNE 2026 is to turn global relationships into local results—expanding our reach, sharpening our storytelling, and helping every broker deliver an experience worthy of the brand we represent.”
After five decades of extraordinary connections, the next chapter is already taking shape.