The 2026 Appraisal Institute Annual Conference brought more than 580 professionals together in Nashville for two days of education, recognition, and connection. With the theme Back in Tune, the conference celebrated a profession finding its rhythm in a rapidly changing landscape and the people leading the way. Explore posts from attendees and the Appraisal Institute on LinkedIn: #AIAnnualConference2026
Hear From the Profession
🎶 What Attendees Said About Nashville 🎶
2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
Overall, it was the best of the 6 conferences that I have attended. It was really well done. I can't think of a negative thing to say. I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and am looking forward to the one in New Orleans next year.
2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
Realized the conference was 30% content and 70% the attendees. So great to get so many engaged professionals in the same place at the same time to share ideas.
2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
The UVCC was a refreshing highlight and there is clearly demand to keep that as part of the experience. The dedicated CE tracks broken up by residential and commercial were great.
2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
I just absolutely loved this conference. Exceptionally well-done, well-organized, flow was great, content was great, networking was great. And I loved Nashville. You all hit it out of the park, especially after learning that it was the first live conference in four years.
2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
The content in general was incredibly good. There wasn't a single seminar I attended that I did not enjoy and feel was practical knowledge I could immediately begin applying to my practice and personal/professional development.
THE SETTING
A City That Sets the Stage
Nashville gave this year's conference an energy that matched the moment. Attendees gathered at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in the heart of Music City for education sessions, peer conversations, and networking that carried well into the evenings.
The off-site event at Nashville Underground brought the profession together for an evening of food, music, line dancing, and community that reinforced what the Annual Conference is really about: the relationships that sustain a career.
KEYNOTE
The Human Edge in an AI World: How Appraisers Win Next by Doing What Machines Can't
Verl Workman
Introduced by Valcre
At the heart of this year's theme was a question the profession is asking right now: what does it mean to be an appraiser in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? Verl Workman brought a compelling answer, challenging attendees to lean into the judgment, relationships, and expertise that no algorithm can replicate.
PROGRAMMING
Education Across Three Tracks
The 2026 program covered the issues shaping the valuation profession right now, with sessions across Residential, Commercial, and Business Development led by practicing professionals.
INAUGURAL UVCC
History Made
This year marked a milestone for the valuation profession. The 2026 Annual Conference hosted the inaugural University Valuation Challenge Competition (UVCC), a first-of-its-kind competition bringing students from universities across the country together to demonstrate real-world valuation skills in a competitive setting. The inaugural champions were awarded a $5,000 prize.
The UVCC represents the Appraisal Institute's commitment to building the next generation of valuation professionals and connecting the academic world with the practicing profession.
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Inaugural Champions University of Massachusetts Amherst |
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
New Editions Debut at Nashville
The 2026 Annual Conference marked the debut of two landmark new editions from the Appraisal Institute. The Appraisal of Real Estate, 16th Edition and The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal, 8th Edition arrived together, giving practitioners a fully updated foundation for their work. Both are now available in print, PDF, and print-plus-PDF bundle.
RECOGNITION
2026 Award Recipients
The 2026 Annual Conference marked the debut of two landmark new editions from the Appraisal Institute. The Appraisal of Real Estate, 16th Edition and The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal, 8th Edition arrived together, giving practitioners a fully updated foundation for their work. Both are now available in print, PDF, and print-plus-PDF bundle.
SPONSORS
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The 2026 Annual Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to the valuation profession makes events like this one possible year after year.
Sponsors2027 CONFERENCE
Become a 2027 Sponsor
Interested in supporting the 2027 Annual Conference in New Orleans? Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to connect with valuation professionals from across the country.
Inquire About 2027 Sponsorship