Individual volume: $12.2 Million
Individual sides: 56
Leveling Up
When Kail Walker, 29, started his career at PJ Morgan Real Estate in 2019, he struggled to find networking events that engaged him. "They felt stuffy, and it was all about, ‘Here’s my business card,’ " he says. "It felt like a chore."
Looking to provide a better experience for local real estate professionals, Walker and three business partners launched riseOMA, a biannual networking event that includes education panels, local vendors, and a food drive for charity. The invitation-only event isn’t just for the real estate community. Walker also brings in creative workers like photographers, videographers, and graphic designers to collaborate with real estate pros on projects. The first riseOMA event in July 2019 had 17 attendees. The latest event in February drew 175. (No events were held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) "Omaha needs this," Walker says. "There’s a lot of talent and amazing businesses here. Getting them into a room together can help this city grow."
The event has helped Walker’s real estate business grow, too. He estimates that he’s added 100 people to his sphere through riseOMA, relationships that have led to as many as 15 home sales. He’s also gaining name recognition in the real estate community. Walker says of riseOMA: "It’s an experience that you’ll remember."