Attendees: View Event Guide to access all the important event details.

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Advocacy in Action is the large-scale Capitol Hill fly-in event bringing the BAC’s State Captains, Advocacy Councils, and broker community advocates together.

Join us on April 8-10 in Washington, D.C. for this landmark 3-day event and become a part of history by representing independent mortgage brokers and homebuyers across the country.

From seasoned advocates to those new to the world of advocacy, everyone is welcome at Advocacy in Action. Whether you’re a long-time champion of independent mortgage brokers or just starting to explore how you can make a difference, this event is designed to empower and engage advocates of all experience levels.

Your voice matters.

2025 Advocacy in Action ticket: $249 (+$100 BACPAC Reception Ticket)

AGENDA

DAY 1: ELEVATE

TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington DC 20001

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Registration
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Veteran Homeownership Roundtable Gay VealeVeteran Homeownership Leadership Chair, BAC; Loan Officer, Epoch Lending
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Black Homeownership Roundtable Whitley Cooper (Moderator)Black Homeownership Leadership Chair, BAC; Mortgage Broker, Advocate Home Loans
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
State Homeownership Roundtable Mike AlbericoMid-Atlantic Regional Captain, BAC; Broker Owner, Carolina Mortgage Advisors Wade BetzSouthwest Regional Captain, BAC; Head of Correspondent Lending, Mpire Financial Steph ChristiansonMountain Regional Captain, BAC; Owner/Sr. Mortgage Broker, Your 303 Lending Kurt Strandson (Moderator)Northeast Regional Captain, BAC; President, Pinnacle Mortgage Corporation
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Making Your Voice Heard in DC & Beyond: Social Media Workshop Dan SmokoskaSpeaker, Coach, Consultant, Dan Smokoska Consulting; Founder, WinWeekly Newsletter; Founder/CEO, WinSocial Wade BetzSouthwest Regional Captain, BAC; Head of Correspondent Lending, Mpire Financial Rachel ClarkExecutive Director, BAC

DAY 2: EDUCATE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9TH

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington DC 20001

8:00 am - 8:45 am
Registration/Coffee
8:45 am - 9:00 am
Introduction Brendan McKayChief Advocacy Officer, BAC Rachel ClarkExecutive Director, BAC
9:00 am - 9:30 am
From FICO to Vantage: Understanding the Changing World of Credit Scores Elizabeth Sdoucos (Karwowski)CEO, TenAtNoon.com; Executive Board Member, StartingNow; Advisory Board Member, COO/CCO, CredEvolv Anthony HutchinsonEVP & Head of Public Affairs, VantageScore Gerald Robinson (Moderator)Federal Government Affairs Leadership Chair, BAC; Broker/President/CEO, 1st Choice Mortgage Company
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Building Bridges: Amplifying Impact Together Caitlin VannoyFederal Legislative Representative, National Association of Realtors (NAR) Jaimie SmeraskiDirector, Legal Advocacy, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Lynn JabsNational Legislative Chair, Veterans Assocation of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) Rachel Clark (Moderator)Executive Director, BAC
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Leadership in Context: The Right Style for the Right Time Anthony CasaPresident & CEO, UMortgage Katie SweeneyEVP of Strategy & Broker Advocacy, Rocket Pro Brendan McKay (Moderator)Chief Advocacy Officer, BAC; Broker Owner, McKay Mortgage
10:30 am - 10:45 am
Break
10:45 am - 11:30 am
Legislation, Regulation & Lending: Executive Insights Phil ShoemakerChief Executive Officer, The Loan Store Kevin PeranioChief Lending Officer, PRMG John WiseEVP Sales - National Production, Newfi Wholesale Nick Framarini (Moderator)Director of Advocacy, BAC; Vice President, MortgageStar
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Inside BAC: Our Strategy, Our Mission, Our Year Brendan McKayChief Advocacy Officer, BAC Rachel ClarkExecutive Director, BAC
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Working Lunch During this working lunch, you'll have the opportunity to meet your Hill Day Groups.
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
The Backbone of Capitol Hill: A Conversation with Congressional Staff Ed SkalaStaff Director, Republican/Senior Advisor, House Financial Services Committee Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Megan HanniganLegislative Director, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) Gay Veale (Moderator)Veteran Homeownership Leadership Chair, BAC; Loan Officer, Epoch Lending
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Advocacy Starts at Home: Making an Impact Locally Peter KarlinMortgage Broker, GoRascal Christian ButterfieldVice President, Third Party Origination, Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group Justin KintzPartner, Forbes Tate Partners Whitley Cooper (Moderator)Black Homeownership Leadership Chair, BAC; Mortgage Broker, Advocate Home Loans
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Break
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
The Art of Online Advocacy: Social Media That Works Rebecca RichardsonThe Mortgage Mentor; Learning & Development Coordinator || Mortgage Loan Advisor, One Real Mortgage Dan SmokoskaSpeaker, Coach, Consultant, Dan Smokoska Consulting; Founder, WinWeekly Newsletter; Founder/CEO, WinSocial Ben TreadwayHead of Sales, SocialCoach Wade Betz (Moderator)Southwest Regional Captain, BAC; Head of Correspondent Lending, Mpire Financial
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Winning Meetings on the Hill: How to Advocate Like a Pro Kelley WilliamsPartner, Forbes Tate Partners
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Go Forth & Advocate Brendan McKayChief Advocacy Officer, BAC Rachel ClarkExecutive Director, BAC

Union Stage

740 Water Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024

Dress Code: Business Casual

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
BACPAC Reception Join us for the Broker Action Coalition Political Action Committee (BACPAC) Reception at Union Stage, where you'll have the opportunity to meet with influential housing policymakers and help raise critical funds. * Please note * Attendees will need to travel to the BACPAC Reception on their own via Uber, Lyft, Metro or taxi.

DAY 3: ADVOCATE

THURSDAY, APRIL 10TH

United States Capitol Visitor Center

For rideshare, enter “US Capitol Visitor Center” in address bar. The Visitor Center is located in the main entrance.

Dress Code: Business Professional (Avoid jeans, sneakers or similarly casual attire)

8:15 am
Arrival
Group Picture
Remarks by Rep. William Timmons (R-SC)
Remarks by Rep. John Rose (R-TN)
9:30 am
First Legislative Meetings on Capitol Hill After two days of valuable training, it's time to bring your knowledge to Capitol Hill. Meet with legislators and their staff to share your on-the-ground experiences, speak from the heart, and make a real impact. Your voice matters—use it to advocate for change and make a difference. What to expect You will be assigned to a group, giving you the chance to connect with incredible brokers while advocating for our industry. You'll receive your meeting schedule in advance, but be prepared—things move fast on Capitol Hill, especially this year! There may be last-minute changes up to the day of, so stay flexible and ready to adapt. If your meeting schedule allows, we’ll have work space where you can catch up on emails or take care of any pressing work between meetings.
11:45 am
Lunch Served
4:00 pm
Last Legislative Meetings on Capitol Hill

HOTEL

Reserve your room at the Courtyard Washington, DC/U.S. Capitol today!

Located within walking distance of the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station, the Courtyard Washington, DC/U.S. Capitol offers easy access to Capitol Hill, the National Mall, and Smithsonian museums. Plus, Union Station is less than a mile away for added convenience.

TRAVEL

Full days on Tuesday, April 8th - Thursday April, 10th

Most convenient to fly into DCA. IAD and BWI are also options!

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to hotel: 6.3 miles/12 minutes without traffic

  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to hotel: 30.7 miles/35 minutes without traffic

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to hotel: 33.2 miles/40 minutes without traffic

If train is an option, Union Station is less than 1 mile from the hotel.

The NoMa-Gallaudet U metro station (red line) is next to the hotel.

THINGS TO DO

Must-See Landmarks & Attractions:

  • U.S. Capitol & National Mall – Walk the heart of American democracy and see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and more.

  • Smithsonian Museums – Free and world-class, including the Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African American History & Culture, and the American History Museum.

  • White House – Iconic and worth a visit (even if just for a photo from the fence).

  • Library of Congress & Supreme Court – Stunning architecture and a great way to dive into history and governance.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE DONORS