The Sotheby’s International Realty Global Networking Event (GNE) took place in San Francisco from October 6–8, 2026, bringing together members of the brand’s global network to celebrate its 50th anniversary and look ahead to the future.
The event began with a welcome reception at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), where attendees gathered surrounded by contemporary art. A black-tie reception at San Francisco City Hall followed, celebrating five decades of Sotheby’s International Realty as part of the brand’s Fifty Years Forward anniversary.
The 2026 GNE highlighted the legacy of Sotheby’s International Realty while looking toward what’s next for the brand. Highlights included the 50th anniversary celebration at City Hall, the unveiling of a new brand campaign, and opportunities to connect and collaborate with real estate professionals from across the global network.
Twenty-two Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty agents attended the event. Sandra Wendland and Will Fuller of FULLERS also participated as panelists, sharing their experience and insights with colleagues from across the network.
Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence
The 50th anniversary was a central theme of this year’s GNE, celebrating five decades of Sotheby’s International Realty while looking toward the future of the brand and the real estate industry.
A highlight of the event was the black-tie anniversary celebration at San Francisco City Hall. Steve Cordony, Sotheby’s International Realty’s Tastemaker in Residence, attended the evening and captured the celebration through photographs and video, documenting the candlelit setting, conversations, and grandeur of the historic venue.
The brand also unveiled a special 50th anniversary video celebrating its legacy of excellence and its continued commitment to shaping the future of real estate.
Event Highlights and Speakers
The GNE program featured presentations, workshops, and conversations focused on the evolving real estate landscape, professional development, client service, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the Sotheby’s International Realty network.
Workshops & Educational Sessions
Sessions throughout the event focused on client representation, property marketing, negotiation, and service. Presenters shared approaches to providing informed guidance, navigating complex transactions, and using technology, AI, social media, and video to improve communication and showcase properties. Other sessions explored new development, specialized sales options through Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions, and the importance of discretion and attentive service. The event also offered opportunities to strengthen relationships across the Sotheby’s International Realty network, connecting clients with local expertise and real estate opportunities around the world.
Speakers & Presenters
The GNE program featured Sotheby’s International Realty executive team members Philip White, Tammy Fahmi, and Brad Nelson, alongside speakers from real estate, business, technology, and professional sports. Presenters included Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass International Holdings; Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn; Ninja Selling author Larry Kendall; and Coffee & Contracts founder Haley Ingram. Topics included client relationships, property marketing, technology, and lessons in resilience and performance.
Advisors and brokerage leaders from across the global network also participated in panels and discussions, including Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty’s Sandra Wendland and Will Fuller of FULLERS.
Introducing the Well-Connected Brand Campaign
One of the key announcements at GNE 2026 was the unveiling of Sotheby’s International Realty’s new Well-Connected brand campaign. The campaign highlights the connections between clients, properties, expertise, and opportunities across markets, emphasizing the strength of the brand’s global network and the value of combining local knowledge with international reach.
Well-Connected also highlights the role of referrals and collaboration throughout the network, demonstrating how relationships between real estate professionals can create opportunities that extend across markets and borders. The campaign is designed to bring this message into listing presentations, marketing materials, and client conversations, reinforcing the value of the connections that support clients and properties around the world.
For Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, the campaign reflects the connection between our local expertise across Maine and New Hampshire and the broader Sotheby’s International Realty network. It underscores the ability to pair an understanding of our local markets with the resources, relationships, and reach of a global brand.
Looking Ahead
GNE 2026 marked an important milestone for Sotheby’s International Realty, celebrating 50 years of the brand while introducing its Well-Connected campaign.
To revisit the celebration, watch the brand’s 50th anniversary video and explore the event through the lens of Steve Cordony, the brand’s Tastemaker in Residence.
As a member of the Sotheby’s International Realty network, Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty joins in celebrating this milestone and the connections that bring the brand’s global community together.
