AIME’s Eighth Annual Fuse Conference Unites and Empowers the Independent Mortgage Broker Community in Nashvill
The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) celebrated a landmark moment for the independent mortgage broker community with the successful completion of its eighth annual Fuse National Conference, held October 24–26 in Nashville, Tennessee. The three-day event brought together more than a thousand mortgage professionals, industry leaders, lenders, vendors, and partners for a weekend filled with education, collaboration, strategic insights, and recognition of excellence across the broker channel.
The conference theme, “Hustle now, honky tonk later,” captured the spirit and energy of the event. Under the leadership of AIME Chairman and CEO Jonathon Haddad, this year’s Fuse conference emphasized action, execution, and forward momentum during a pivotal period in the mortgage industry. The message was clear: brokers who apply what they learn and adapt quickly will be positioned to thrive in the months ahead.
During a live recording of his Broker Power-Up Podcast at Fuse, Haddad encouraged attendees to treat the event not just as inspiration, but as a catalyst for implementation. “If you don’t take action—if you don’t put together the steps that you need to be successful moving into next year—then you’ve missed the point of being here,” he stressed. “This is about pushing yourself forward to close more loans. Everyone in this room learned at least one thing that can change their business.”
Record Participation and Expanded Industry Engagement
Fuse 2025 drew 1,129 independent mortgage professionals from across the United States, with nearly 40% attending for the first time. The event continues to serve as one of the largest annual gatherings for mortgage brokers, reflecting the sustained growth and strength of the broker channel.
One of the most notable expansions this year was within the Vendor & Lender Relations Program. What began in the previous year with a limited number of partners grew substantially in 2025, with 42 Vendor Members, 13 Lender Partners, and representation from multiple processing companies. The sold-out exhibit hall, featuring 19 lenders, 16 vendors, and six processing firms, provided brokers with firsthand access to innovative products, technologies, and services designed to help them scale their business operations and enhance borrower experiences.
Breakout Sessions and Peer-Led Learning
AIME introduced a new educational initiative during this year’s Fuse, inviting Members and Partners to propose presentations based on real-world experience. More than 60 submissions were reviewed by AIME’s Board of Directors, with 22 presenters selected to deliver focused, high-impact training sessions.
These five parallel breakout tracks offered 30-minute deep dives into topics ranging from lead generation and automation strategies to business growth frameworks and personal development. The peer-led structure reinforced AIME’s commitment to building a community-driven knowledge ecosystem where brokers learn from one another. Several session leaders were later featured in Mortgage Professional America (MPA) Magazine, highlighting their contributions to industry thought leadership.
A Powerful Lineup of Keynote Speakers
The general session hosted an impressive roster of keynote speakers, ranging from nationally recognized business figures to high-performance mortgage professionals.
Among the most anticipated segments was a keynote from Barbara Corcoran, well-known entrepreneur and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, who shared lessons on leadership, risk-taking, and building resilient business foundations.
Additional featured speakers included:
- Mat Ishbia, President and CEO, United Wholesale Mortgage
- Justin Ford, Real Estate Broker and industry creator
- Amir Syed, Co-Founder & CEO, GO! Coaching
- Cindy Ertman, CEO & Founder, The Defining Difference
- Michelle Berman-Mikel, Author and Social Media Strategist
- Neel Dhingra, CEO, Forward Academy
- Jamie Miller, CEO, The Art of Conscious Communication
- Tammy Saul, Founder, Federal Hill Mortgage
Saturday’s sessions continued with high-level discussions featuring industry executives such as Phil Mancuso (EPM), Barry Habib (MBS Highway), and David Schroeder (Newrez).
One of the conference highlights was a live conversation with Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, who addressed pressing regulatory concerns and market challenges, including Loan-Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs).
Announcements That Signal AIME’s Future Direction
During his closing keynote, Haddad outlined the strategic evolution of AIME’s organizational structure, transparency practices, and fiscal stability. Since assuming leadership in 2024, Haddad oversaw:
- A member-elected Board of Directors with public meeting minutes
- Updated governing bylaws to reflect strengthened accountability standards
- A Board-approved 2025 budget plan
- A $3 million reduction in annual operating expenses, enabling resources to be redirected toward member support and enhanced team compensation
Haddad also announced two major forward-looking initiatives:
- AIME Ascent, a VIP-level professional development retreat to be held in Puerto Rico
- The Architect, AIME’s new in-house AI-powered advisory tool that uses real production data to help brokers identify proven business strategies tailored to their growth stage
Fuse 2026 has already been confirmed and will be held from September 24–26, 2026 at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas.
Women’s Mortgage Network: Advancing Leadership Through Empowerment
Another powerful part of Fuse was the Women’s Mortgage Network (WMN) event, attended by nearly 200 women from across the mortgage industry. With a waitlist for entry, the session demonstrated the momentum of women leaders in the broker space.
Featured speakers Barb Betts and Cindy Ertman led discussions focused on personal confidence, leadership presence, and building authentic professional relationships. The atmosphere was supportive, forward-thinking, and deeply collaborative—reflecting WMN’s growing influence.
On Saturday night, the annual Hall of AIME Awards Ceremony recognized top contributors and rising leaders within the broker community. Four inductees were honored for their extraordinary service, impact, and leadership:
- Nike Toyin Ojo
- Andres Munar
- Thomas Sloan
- Kristin O’Neil
Additional awards recognized excellence across brokerage performance, community leadership, and partnership contributions.
AIME also mobilized its community to support FAMLE, an organization that provides compassionate assistance to families impacted by trauma in Detroit. Haddad challenged attendees to match a $10,000 donation from AIME—and brokers responded immediately, raising over $75,000 in less than ten minutes.
AIME’s eighth annual Fuse National Conference reinforced the strength, passion, and resilience of the independent mortgage broker community. From strategic insights and peer collaboration to philanthropic action and new initiatives that will shape the industry’s future, Fuse 2025 was not only a celebration—it was a launchpad for meaningful progress.
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