Aspire North Realtors Hosts Successful 2026 Strawberries & Toast Affiliate Expo

05.15.2026

By Heather Sauer

On May 6, 2026, Aspire North Realtors proudly hosted our annual Strawberries & Toast Affiliate Expo, bringing together REALTOR® members, affiliate partners, and industry professionals for a morning filled with networking, education, and connection. The event was a tremendous success, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the day so memorable.

A very special thank you goes to Hagerty for generously hosting this year’s event. Their hospitality and support helped create the perfect atmosphere for our members and affiliates to connect and grow relationships within the real estate industry.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our amazing affiliate exhibitors and sponsors who participated in this year’s expo. Your continued support of Aspire North Realtors and our members plays an important role in strengthening our real estate community throughout Northern Michigan.

Thank you to the following exhibitors and sponsors:

Riverside Title, LLC
Morse Moving & Storage
Lighthouse Title Group
Independent Bank
Team One Credit Union
Women’s Council of Realtors
InsideOut Inspections Plus LLC
MI Homes North Inspections
Arch North CrossCountry Mortgage
BlueLaVaMedia
Mid American Title Company
Titleocity
GreenStone Farm Credit Services – TC
The Talon Group Title Agency
TBA Credit Union
Searchlight Title Services
Transnation Title Agency
Forest Area Federal Credit Union
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
F S Roofing & Construction
Traverse City Home Inspections
John Adams Mortgage
Summit Point Roofing
State Savings Bank – Traverse City
Snaps
Union Home Mortgage
Mi Virtual Tours
Farmers Insurance Christopher Payne Agency
Trash Panda Property Solutions
WIN Home Inspection
Butch Strait Inspections
Traverse City Record-Eagle
Next Door Photos Traverse City
Genisys Mortgage Professionals

We would also like to give a special thank you to Next Door Photos Traverse City for capturing photos and videos throughout the event. Your work helped document the energy, connections, and fun from the expo, allowing us to relive and share these memorable moments with our members and community.

One of the highlights of the event was the exciting giveaways made possible through the support of our affiliates and sponsors. We were thrilled to award:

A Michigan Realtors Conference Package
Two $200 Education Certificates
One Free MLS Subscription for One Year

These giveaways are just one of the many ways Aspire North Realtors continues to invest in the professional growth and success of our members.

Events like the Strawberries & Toast Affiliate Expo showcase the power of collaboration within our local real estate industry. We are incredibly thankful for the support, partnerships, and relationships that continue to help our association thrive year after year.

Thank you again to everyone who attended, exhibited, sponsored, and supported this wonderful event. We look forward to seeing you at future Aspire North Realtors events!

Heather Sauer

Heather Sauer is the Human Resource Manager for Aspire North Realtors, bringing a strong background in human resources, leadership, and business strategy. She began her career in retail management while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northwood University, later transitioning into human resources at Target, where she served as an Executive Team Leader of Human Resources. During this time, she earned her MBA from the Northwood University DeVos Graduate School.

After relocating to Traverse City, Michigan, Heather continued her HR career with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), managing more than 30 client accounts and partnering closely with leadership teams on employee relations, compliance, and organizational development. In the fall of 2023, she expanded her professional experience into business development and entrepreneurship.

In addition to her role at Aspire North Realtors, Heather is also an independent travel agent, helping individuals, families, and groups plan seamless, memorable travel experiences. Her passion for service, organization, and relationship-building carries through both her HR and travel work.