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Inman Announces 2026 Innovators Award Finalists Across 13 Real Estate Categories
Inman, the real‑estate news outlet that reaches more than one million agents, brokers and technology leaders, unveiled its 2026 Innovators Award finalists on July 20, 2026. The awards—now in their 29th year—celebrate individuals and companies that are deploying new technologies, redefining client communication and building forward‑thinking business models.
The announcement names finalists in 13 categories, from Innovator of the Year and Company of the Year to Most Innovative Team, Agent, Brokerage and a host of marketing and technology honors. The Inman editorial team hand‑picked the nominees after an open call that ran from May 18 to June 26.
Among the Innovator of the Year finalists are AnneMarie DeCatsye, CEO of Canopy MLS; Guy Gal of Side; Shayan Hamidi of Rechat; Rebecca Jensen of MRED; Tyler Mount of Henry Street Creative; Robert Palmer of LPT Realty; Tamir Poleg of The Real Brokerage; Robert Reffkin of Compass; and Ryan Serhant of SERHANT. The Company of the Year finalist is not listed, but the Most Innovative Team finalists include Corey Cohen of The Roebling Team at Compass, Cody Culbertson of Culbertson and Gray Group at eXp, Mike Hogan and Alicia Pittman of The Hogan Group, The Medford Team at Keller Williams, and The Umansky Team at The Agency.
The 2026 awards introduce a new category, Most Innovative Agent, with finalists Natalie Davis of Keller Williams, Andrew Jevin of Compass, Cynthia Mattiza of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, Eric Rollo of The Agency, Patrick Southern of SERHANT, and Megan Sullivan of Douglas Elliman.
Other highlighted categories feature Most Innovative Brokerage (Sotheby’s International Realty), Most Innovative Marketing or Branding Campaign (RED Day at Keller Williams, Dezzy Awards at LPT Realty, The Exhibit Awards at MAXA Designs, “Right by You” at NAR, “Trust Leads the Way” at RE/MAX, and “More Than” at Stellar MLS), Most Innovative Lead Servicing Solution, Most Innovative Marketing Solution (Rechat Studio at Rechat and Zillow Preview at Zillow), Most Innovative Client Experience Solution, Most Innovative Use of Artificial Intelligence, Industry Podcast (Playmakers at RealScout, Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered by James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson, Selling Luxury by Jeff Shaw, and True Crimes of Real Estate by Troy Palmquist and Summer Goralik), and MLS, Association or Industry Organization (First Multiple Listing Service – FMLS).
The press release also noted the Nate Ellis Award for community service and the Golden I Award, the highest honor in luxury real estate. Winners across all categories will be announced at Inman Connect San Diego, scheduled for July 28‑30, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.
Inman Connect San Diego is billed as a gathering where industry leaders exchange best practices and fresh ideas. The event will also feature Inman Luxury Connect, where Golden I Award recipients will be celebrated. Tickets for both events are on sale through Inman’s website.
The announcement was issued by Denise Robbins, Inman News, who can be reached at 1‑800‑321‑7888 or denise@inman.com. Further details about the awards and the full slate of categories can be found at inman.com/awards.
Inman’s awards program has long been a staple of the real‑estate industry, positioning the organization as a source of news, research and education for professionals. The Innovators Awards spotlight those who are pushing the industry forward.
The finalists list sets the stage for the upcoming ceremony, and industry observers will watch to see which innovators receive the top honors and how their work may shape trends in technology, marketing and brokerage operations.
The press release did not provide financial data, market reactions, or statements from the finalists, nor did it disclose future earnings reports or regulatory actions related to the nominees.
The Inman Innovators Awards will conclude with the announcement of winners at the July 28‑30 ceremony in San Diego. Until then, the real‑estate community will be following the finalists’ work and the broader conversation about innovation in the sector.
The announcement names finalists in 13 categories, from Innovator of the Year and Company of the Year to Most Innovative Team, Agent, Brokerage and a host of marketing and technology honors. The Inman editorial team hand‑picked the nominees after an open call that ran from May 18 to June 26.
Among the Innovator of the Year finalists are AnneMarie DeCatsye, CEO of Canopy MLS; Guy Gal of Side; Shayan Hamidi of Rechat; Rebecca Jensen of MRED; Tyler Mount of Henry Street Creative; Robert Palmer of LPT Realty; Tamir Poleg of The Real Brokerage; Robert Reffkin of Compass; and Ryan Serhant of SERHANT. The Company of the Year finalist is not listed, but the Most Innovative Team finalists include Corey Cohen of The Roebling Team at Compass, Cody Culbertson of Culbertson and Gray Group at eXp, Mike Hogan and Alicia Pittman of The Hogan Group, The Medford Team at Keller Williams, and The Umansky Team at The Agency.
The 2026 awards introduce a new category, Most Innovative Agent, with finalists Natalie Davis of Keller Williams, Andrew Jevin of Compass, Cynthia Mattiza of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, Eric Rollo of The Agency, Patrick Southern of SERHANT, and Megan Sullivan of Douglas Elliman.
Other highlighted categories feature Most Innovative Brokerage (Sotheby’s International Realty), Most Innovative Marketing or Branding Campaign (RED Day at Keller Williams, Dezzy Awards at LPT Realty, The Exhibit Awards at MAXA Designs, “Right by You” at NAR, “Trust Leads the Way” at RE/MAX, and “More Than” at Stellar MLS), Most Innovative Lead Servicing Solution, Most Innovative Marketing Solution (Rechat Studio at Rechat and Zillow Preview at Zillow), Most Innovative Client Experience Solution, Most Innovative Use of Artificial Intelligence, Industry Podcast (Playmakers at RealScout, Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered by James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson, Selling Luxury by Jeff Shaw, and True Crimes of Real Estate by Troy Palmquist and Summer Goralik), and MLS, Association or Industry Organization (First Multiple Listing Service – FMLS).
The press release also noted the Nate Ellis Award for community service and the Golden I Award, the highest honor in luxury real estate. Winners across all categories will be announced at Inman Connect San Diego, scheduled for July 28‑30, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.
Inman Connect San Diego is billed as a gathering where industry leaders exchange best practices and fresh ideas. The event will also feature Inman Luxury Connect, where Golden I Award recipients will be celebrated. Tickets for both events are on sale through Inman’s website.
The announcement was issued by Denise Robbins, Inman News, who can be reached at 1‑800‑321‑7888 or denise@inman.com. Further details about the awards and the full slate of categories can be found at inman.com/awards.
Inman’s awards program has long been a staple of the real‑estate industry, positioning the organization as a source of news, research and education for professionals. The Innovators Awards spotlight those who are pushing the industry forward.
The finalists list sets the stage for the upcoming ceremony, and industry observers will watch to see which innovators receive the top honors and how their work may shape trends in technology, marketing and brokerage operations.
The press release did not provide financial data, market reactions, or statements from the finalists, nor did it disclose future earnings reports or regulatory actions related to the nominees.
The Inman Innovators Awards will conclude with the announcement of winners at the July 28‑30 ceremony in San Diego. Until then, the real‑estate community will be following the finalists’ work and the broader conversation about innovation in the sector.
