Industry rejuvenated after attending lively, inspiring event in New Orleans.
A positive vibe was felt the moment attendees arrived in New Orleans in late June for the 2010 NAA Education Conference & Exposition. Nearly 5,000 attendees were on-hand for the largest and most comprehensive event in the multifamily housing industry.
The more than 40 education sessions, strong keynote speakers, provocative thought leaders, engaging networking opportunities, lively trade show floor and fun and excitement exceeded expectations by all, as industry professionals nationwide were informed and inspired by the conference and its “Re:Build Your Future” theme.
“From the time I first set foot in the convention center, the breakout sessions and the trade show floor, I felt energized,” said Sharron Lambeth, Regional Property Manager, Beacon Property Management, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
“There was a positive buzz throughout the conference, and this industry requires that right now,” Lambeth said. “We all need to feel re-energized, professionally and personally. When we attend the NAA conference, we have the opportunity to network and exchange meaningful information. It’s very much about helping each other. I left with a great feeling and new understanding about the importance of working with others in our industry. To me, this is what NAA is all about.”
Count Gardner Rees, Executive Vice President, Business Services, Riverstone Residential, Dallas, among thousands who benefited from an Exposition Hall filled with 329 exhibitors.
“For someone in my position seeking to develop national accounts, I find the NAA show has the best focus on products and services in our industry,” Rees said. “Success in our business relies on the building of relationships between management companies, owners and their supplier partners and the NAA Expo specifically allows for this. The NAA show is one I will not miss.”
Attendee Daisy Nguyen, Minneapolis, Minn., said her brain was “overflowing with ideas and there is an extra hoppity skip in my step, having come back from the NAA Education Conference. My fingers are flying over the keyboard at lightning speed. The conference once again reminded me that a change of scenery, meeting new people, listening to new ideas, being reminded of great old ideas, making new friends and having fun can do wonders for your creativity, productivity and energy level.”
The conference was supported in great part through the efforts of NAA’s metal sponsors. The 17 Platinum Sponsors were Apartment Finder, Apartment Guide, Appliance Warehouse of America, AT&T Connected Communities, AZUMA Leasing, Coinmach Corporation, Comcast Cable, CORT, For Rent Media Solutions, HD Supply, Mac-Gray, MRI Software, RealPage Inc., Rent.com, Time Warner Cable Community Solutions, Verizon Enhanced Communities and Yardi.
Wilmar Industries Inc. was a Gold Sponsor; LexisNexis Resident Screening was a Silver Sponsor; and CoreLogic SafeRent, Lowe’s Companies and Moen Incorporated were Bronze Sponsors.
The National Suppliers Council (NSC) sponsored the very successful and entertaining Opening Party at nearby Mardi Gras World. It featured the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Bush Offers Presidential Address
The 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush was the Opening General Session speaker. Several cheers from attendees for “four more years” rang loud and clear before he spoke his first words.
The friendly, content and easy-going Bush offered his review of his eight years in the Oval Office, including comments on his guiding belief in freedom; the economy; September 11; war; decision-making; inspiration; Texas and his life after the presidency.
Bush offered no specific comments about the current Administration, saying that it is not in the best interest of any past president or the country to make such statements. He did not address the administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans in 2005.
Instead, he focused on optimism, using an effective blend of impassioned statements, self-deprecating humor and a quick wit to amuse and enlighten a room filled with more than 4,000 apartment professionals.
“When my eight years were over and I returned to my home in Crawford, Texas, I felt like, ‘Wow, I just went from going 100 mph to zero,” said Bush, a big smile shining from his well-tanned face. “I’m free at last. I’m a happy guy.
“Honestly, I’m perfectly content to be out of the spotlight. And I think a lot of Americans are content with that, too,” he said.
Bush thanked and praised the conference-goers, describing the crowd as risk-takers, entrepreneurs, doers and job creators.
He explained how he approached the presidency with the goal of adhering to his basic principles—mostly focused on freedom and democracy. “My decisions were made based on my own long-term principles and were not made simply to achieve long-term popularity. I believe that we were created by the Almighty, and his greatest gift was freedom. That gift is transformative.”
He noted that the government’s role is not to create wealth, but to establish an environment that enables its citizens the ability to create wealth. “Let’s just say, I think that all of you are in a better position to decide how to spend your money than the government is. The marketplace is the best means by which to determine the allocation of resources. The private sector—not the government—is where jobs are created.”
Scott Seydal, Director of Online Marketing, For Rent Media Solutions, Lawrenceville, Ga., said he was impressed with Bush’s sense of humor. “He shared great perspective,” Seydal said. “I’m glad he didn’t spend any time criticizing President Obama.”
Terri Norvell, Consultant and Trainer, Further Performance Group, Westminster, Colo., said Bush’s comments were inspiring. “He really is an optimistic guy. I’m not sure that everyone in the country knew that. It didn’t always come across that way when he was in office. But it’s great when we have the opportunity to hear former presidents speak in public. You get to see a whole other side to them—a human side, because now they don’t have to be campaigning anymore.”
“We’re just so fortunate to have had this man as our President,” said Marcia Meloni, Asset Analyst, CLK Management, Memphis, Tenn. “He stuck to his principles. He showed us a great sense of humor. He’s grey, but he’s tan. That Texas sun must be treating him well.”
Nealon Delivers Punch Lines
Comedian Kevin Nealon tickled the crowd with his unique brand of humor on Friday, June 25, focusing mostly on himself, his life and how he deals with, survives and sometimes even manages to enjoy everyday life.
The former Saturday Night Live standout (1986-95), who currently stars on Showtime’s series Weeds, walked onto the stage wearing an arm sling. That was no joke. But when pressed for an explanation, he told the audience the injury resulted from a “tussle” he had with his landlord. “We worked it all out,” he assured the crowd. He then revealed he was hurt while playing basketball.
Nealon covered many of stand-up comics’ most popular topics—airport screening, cell phone use, road rage, clichés and death and still did so delivering creative punch lines.
“I’ve seen him do stand-up and I really like him,” said Ron Nichols, NALP, Dolben Company, Woburn, Mass.
Customer Service on Center Stage
The final day of the conference kicked off with an outstanding general session featuring Bruce Kimbrell from Disney Institute. Kimbrell provided an outstanding overview of Disney’s approach to quality service. He encouraged attendees to apply this thinking to their own business with great visuals, humor and insight.
“So many of the things [Kimbrell] touched on are the customer service standards that [our company] works on,” said one attendee.
“We walked out of the session feeling like we are on the right track as we are passionate in getting to know and understand our customers.”
Susan E. Weston, CAM, CAPS, Vice President, Learning & Development, Pinnacle, said Kimbrell offered great stories and was spectacular and engaging. “We laughed and we learned,” Weston said.
Lambeth said the message of providing top-rate customer
service to residents was heard loud and clear throughout the conference. “The speakers delivered that message throughout. It’s something those in our industry hear often, but you can’t emphasize it enough,” she said. “The NAA speakers took it to a whole new level.”
Four presenters headlined the conference’s Thought Leader lineup with sessions including Bruce Wilkinson’s “One Voice Leadership: The Key to Personal and Organizational Success,” Cam Marston’s “Sales and Service Across Generations,” Tom Asacker’s “Opportunity Screams: Unlocking Hearts and Minds in Today’s Idea Economy,” and Dan Thurmon’s “Off Balance On Purpose: Embrace Uncertainty and Seize New Opportunities for You and Your Company.” Bill Taylor, Founding Editor of Fast Company magazine, also addressed attendees, speaking about how management and marketing innovation has helped many companies excel and grow.
Executive Forum Makes Debut
The conference also marked NAA’s first Executive Forum event, where more than 25 top-level executives from apartment management firms across the country were invited as guests.
The group received VIP treatment throughout, met personally for a luncheon with George W. Bush, had an insightful small-group discussion with Fast Company Founding Editor Bill Taylor, and met with key leaders from the event’s five sponsoring supplier partners: Apartment Guide, AT&T Connected Communities, AZUMA Leasing, HD Supply and Time Warner Cable Community Solutions. They also were given opportunities to network with each other and gain full access to the Education Conference.
NAHMA and Affordable Housing Featured
This year NAA co-located with the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and its conference.
Specific sessions included “Top 10 tips for Competing in the Post-recovery Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program,” “REAC Roundtable,” and “Preservation Tools for Aging Affordable Housing.”
“The co-location of the NAHMA and NAA conferences resulted in not only one of the largest multifamily housing educational events ever, but also one of the most comprehensive,” said Kris Cook, CAE, Executive Director of NAHMA. “The worlds of affordable and conventional housing are coming together in many ways, and we can share ideas and learn from each other.”
One highlight included a NAHMA session with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Assistant Secretary of Multifamily Housing Carol Galante, who provided the latest updates on agency programs and how program changes impact affordable housing portfolios. She covered timeliness of payments by the agency, required use of the Enterprise Income Verification system, filing for previous participation certification, the agency’s new strategic plan and new transformation initiatives.
Timely Topics Added to Lineup
Staying on the leading edge of legislation issues, NAA offered two breakout education sessions on Saturday that covered critical topics. NAA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Greg Brown provided an overview of the Carried Interest legislation, potential impacts on business, a history of efforts to pass legislation and the most recent developments.
Chris Hyde provided an overview of the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which regulates repairs performed on lead-based paint, how the new rules change the way everyone works on multifamily properties built prior to 1978 and how the new regulations affect operations and bottom lines.
More coverage and photos from the 2010 NAA Education Conference & Exposition, as well as coverage of the Maintenance Mania Championship, appear in the July issue of units.
Have Your Meeting at Our Meeting
Looking for ways to build a stronger training program and team while working with a limited budget? The NAA Education Conference & Exposition’s educational program is paramount to the success of any organization.
By combining your company’s training with the conference, you will maximize your limited training budget and build the ultimate education experience for your employees.
Nine management companies and six supplier partner companies held their company meeting in New Orleans in conjunction with the NAA Education Conference.
NAA will assist you in simplifying the planning process and provide resources to help you bring your team to the conference. NAA will help you secure meeting space, provide assistance with contacting top-notch speakers for your event and give you access to our vendors and local contacts to assist with your company needs onsite.
The apartment industry’s top executives know that sending their staffs to the NAA Education Conference & Exposition is one of the best values they can get for their training dollar.
“Now is the time to keep your people on the cutting edge with learning about innovative and cost-effective onsite and management strategies,” says The Dolben Company’s Vice President of Property Management Tom Beaton, CPM. “We will continue to send our employees to the NAA Education Conference & Exposition each June. This way, we are assured to have the best-trained employees in the industry.”
Beaton says the conference is the most anticipated event of the year for the company’s staff. “Because we demonstrate to our staff the value of education and provide the exciting opportunity to attend the conference, our staff retention rate improves and our ability to recruit employees increases,” he says.