In news that feels like it was plucked straight from a fever dream, former US Vice President Kamala Harris is heading to the Gold Coast to speak at a real estate conference next month.
Yes, you read that correctly. The woman who once stood a heartbeat away from the US presidency is now swapping the White House for Surfers Paradise and property talk at the Australasian Real Estate Conference (AREC).
This will be Harris’ first speaking engagement in Australia, and according to the event organisers, she’s been hailed as a “trailblazer” whose career has been all about “ensuring all Americans can climb the ladder of economic opportunity”. That sounds lovely, but how does that translate to chatting about selling houses on the Gold Coast? Your guess is as good as mine.
Harris is set to appear on stage for a moderated conversation alongside 31 other speakers, including Kyle Richard‘s husband Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills star Mauricio Umansky, Aussie swimming legends Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus, and British entrepreneur Steven Bartlett. While other speakers are available for interviews, Harris has made it clear she’s not here for chit-chat. “No interviews” is plastered next to her bio like a neon sign.
Honestly, this feels like the ultimate “work trip disguised as a holiday” move. If I had just spent years battling Donald Trump, losing an election, and navigating one of the most chaotic political climates in recent memory, I’d also be looking for an excuse to jet off to the beach under the guise of work. Respect.
Organisers have not disclosed how much panelist are being paid, but with tickets for the two day event starting at $595 and going till $1695 I imagine the speakers will be paid a pretty penny.
What does Kamala Harris have to do with real estate?
Good question. Harris’ connection to real estate isn’t exactly obvious. Sure, during her vice presidency and brief presidential campaign, she championed policies aimed at making housing more affordable in the US — think down-payment assistance for first-time buyers and tax incentives for building starter homes. But that’s still a far cry from sharing tips on selling luxury properties or building personal brands à la Mauricio Umansky.
It’s worth noting that AREC founder John McGrath has described this year’s line-up as “surpassing expectations”. And hey, if you’re trying to make your conference stand out in the southern hemisphere, why not bring in one of the most recognisable names in global politics? Even if her presence feels like it fell out of a coconut tree.
What has Kamala been up to since losing the 2024 US Presidential Election?
Since conceding defeat to Donald Trump in November last year, Harris has been navigating what one expert called her membership in the “almost-presidents” club. She went on a trip to Hawaii, has spoken at a few events including the HumanX AI Conference and even went to a pre-Oscar party. Harris’s aides also told ABC News that she’ll be making her next move by the end of summer. What that decision might be is anyone’s guess. A return to politics? A new career path? A Netflix deal? Even she doesn’t seem sure yet.
Last year, we caught up with US politics expert Dr John Hart after Harris lost the race and he shared that her immediate future is uncertain.
“She did very well under the circumstances… but what she’ll do next is pretty hard to say,” he said.
“[The loss] shouldn’t handicap her from pursuing a political career, and she’s probably young enough to do something else, but what that will be is pretty hard to say. She can’t just step back into the Senate seat that she gave up when she became Vice president.”
Either way, this real estate conference gig feels like a bit of a wildcard stop on her post-White House journey. Who knows, maybe she’ll even be spotted sipping a frosé at the Burleigh Pav.
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