What I Learned at Sotheby's International Realty GNE 2026: Technology Is the Tool, Relationships Are the Strategy

I'm Cynthia Mattiza, Associate Broker with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty in Bee Cave, Texas. I just got back from the Sotheby's International Realty Global Networking Event (GNE) in San Francisco, and I came home with one clear takeaway.

In a world of AI, relationships still win.

I've sold luxury homes in West Austin, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country for 16 years. Here's what GNE taught me about where real estate is headed, and why it matters if you're buying or selling a home in Austin.

Why was San Francisco the perfect setting for Sotheby's International Realty's 50th anniversary?

San Francisco is the technology capital of the world. It's also one of the country's oldest cities. Being there felt invigorating.

The Golden Gate Bridge was the backdrop for the entire week, and it became the symbol of everything we talked about. A bridge connects two sides. That was the theme of GNE: bridging the gap between old and new.

Sotheby's International Realty celebrated 50 years in business, and we marked it with an iconic celebration at San Francisco City Hall. Fifty years of brand heritage, in a city that builds the future. The pairing said it all.

The tools in our industry are changing fast. The foundation isn't.

Will AI replace real estate agents?

No. AI makes a great agent faster. It doesn't replace the relationship.

I use AI every day in my business. It helps me pull data, draft marketing, analyze a market and stay organized. I'm a believer.

But AI can't earn trust. It can't read a seller's face when they walk through the home they raised their kids in. It can't pick up the phone and say, "I have the right buyer for you."

That's still a human job. And it's the part of this business I love most.

Technology makes us faster. Relationships make us better.

How does the Sotheby's International Realty global network help Austin buyers and sellers?

This year I personally closed 8 transactions from referrals sent by other agents. Eight families who came to me because a colleague somewhere else trusted me with their client.

That's what the Sotheby's International Realty global network looks like in real life. A few examples from this year:

• A relocating family in Lakeway. A fellow Sotheby's International Realty agent in another market referred a family moving to Austin. They found their home in The Hills in Lakeway, close to The Hills Country Club, with golf cart access to pickleball and a central spot in Lakeway.
• A six-month search in Austin. A trusted contact introduced me to a couple searching in Austin. We worked together for six months and closed on the right home. I don't take an introduction like that for granted.
• A deal built agent to agent. On a referral purchase, the listing agent and I stayed in close touch for months, crafting a creative and strategic deal for my buyers. It closed, and I walked away with a new professional friend.

Every one of those closings started with a relationship, not an algorithm.

Referrals and personalized attention are not old-school. They're the edge.

What happened at the Texas Happy Hour at GNE?

While I was in San Francisco, we hosted a Texas Happy Hour for Sotheby's International Realty agents from all over Texas, and invited agents from across the country to join us.

It was a room full of people who do this work at a high level. We shared what's working, swapped stories and got to know each other. Those conversations become the referrals that bring families to Austin next year.

If your clients are headed to Austin, Lake Travis or the Texas Hill Country, I'm here to be your Texas advisor.

Why choose rooms that stretch you?

There's a saying: if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.

At GNE I was in rooms with Robert Reffkin, Philip White, Brad Nelson and some of the sharpest leaders in luxury real estate. It can be intimidating to walk up to leaders at that level. I did it anyway. I took the time to thank each of them for their leadership and their commitment to excellence.

Sixteen years in, I'm still choosing rooms that stretch me. My clients get the benefit.

What does this mean if you're buying or selling a home in Austin?

You get both sides of the bridge.

• Sellers get the reach of a global luxury brand, 50 years strong, plus modern marketing and data tools. Your home is in front of buyers and agents around the world, not just down the street.
• Buyers relocating to Austin get a local agent who has lived in Bee Cave for over two decades, with a personal network of trusted Sotheby's International Realty agents in other markets to help with the home you're leaving.
• Everyone gets personalized attention. I handle every client myself, from the first call to the closing table.

If you're buying or selling anywhere in the country, I can connect you with a trusted agent personally. And if you're moving to Austin, you already know who to call.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sotheby's International Realty GNE? GNE is the Sotheby's International Realty Global Networking Event, an annual gathering of the brand's agents and leaders from around the world. The 2026 event was held in San Francisco and celebrated the brand's 50th anniversary.

Who is a Sotheby's International Realty agent in Bee Cave, Texas? Cynthia Mattiza is an Associate Broker with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty, based in Bee Cave. She has 16 years in real estate and serves West Austin, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Lake Travis, Spicewood and the Texas Hill Country.

How do agent referrals work when relocating to Austin? Your current agent introduces you to a trusted agent in Austin who knows the local market. Cynthia Mattiza closed 8 transactions from agent referrals in 2026, many through the Sotheby's International Realty global network.

Does a luxury real estate agent in Austin use AI? Yes. Cynthia Mattiza uses AI for market data, marketing and organization, while keeping every client relationship personal. Technology makes her faster. Relationships make her better.

Who should I call if I'm moving to Austin or Lake Travis? Call Cynthia Mattiza, Associate Broker, Kuper Sotheby's International Realty, at 512-940-5293 or email [email protected].

About Cynthia Mattiza

Cynthia Mattiza is an Associate Broker and REALTOR® with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty, specializing in luxury homes in West Austin, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Lake Travis, Spicewood and the Texas Hill Country. She has been a Platinum Top 50 REALTOR® every year since 2012, an Austin Business Journal Top Producing Agent every year since 2014, and is RealTrends Verified in the top 1.5% of agents nationally. She has lived in Bee Cave for over two decades.

512-940-5293 | [email protected] | cynthiamattiza.com