Strong Turnout Marks Great American Realtor Days
Nearly 1,000 Florida Realtors members met with lawmakers for GARD, hearing policy updates and advocating for the profession’s 2026 legislative priorities.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Nearly 1,000 Realtors® filled the halls and offices of the state Capitol last week for Great American Realtor Days, delivering one of the largest advocacy turnouts in recent years and signaling strong member engagement on 2026 legislative priorities.
The three-day GARD event in Tallahassee opened Jan. 20 with a meeting of the Florida Realtors® Public Policy Committee, where members received a detailed briefing from the association’s public policy team on key bills lawmakers are considering this session.
The committee also heard updates from Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky on conditions in the recovering property insurance market and welcomed a surprise visit from Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin, who outlined current departmental initiatives.
The following day’s legislative briefing featured a keynote fireside chat with 2026 Florida Realtors President Chuck Bonfiglio Jr., broker-owner of AAA Realty Group in Plantation, incoming Senate President Jim Boyd and incoming House Speaker Sam Garrison.
The discussion struck an optimistic tone, with both legislative leaders emphasizing cooperation and a shared “do no harm” approach as they work to refine policy across a range of housing and business issues. Attendees described the exchange as forward-looking and encouraging, pointing to a more collaborative climate in the years ahead.
Throughout the event, members met directly with lawmakers, sharing firsthand perspectives, concerns and feedback tied to Florida Realtors’ 2026 legislative agenda. The strong turnout and sustained engagement underscored the association’s continued focus on shaping policy that reflects the needs of Florida’s real estate professionals and the communities they serve.
© 2026 Florida Realtors®