MAXIMIZE: 2016 Multifamily Asset Management Conference was a slam dunk.

Full disclosure: I’m not a mathematically minded person. So it was not without a certain amount of apprehension that I walked into the Loews Coronado Bay Resort to spend three days with over 230 of the sharpest minds in asset management during MAXIMIZE: 2016 Multifamily Asset Management Conference.

The sixth annual event, co-produced by the National Apartment Association and Joshua Tree Conference Group, gathers together apartment professionals focused on sustainably improving net operating income for high level education, networking and, of course, deal making.

“MAXIMIZE is actually one of my favorite conferences of the year,” says three-time attendee Lauren Curley, Chief Operating Officer for Bonaventure Realty Group. “I’m not an asset manager by trade, but I think we all need the opportunity to think like an asset manager every now and then. What I love about this conference in particular is that we get practical, actionable information from the presenters and the caliber of attendee is fantastic. I’ve actually been texting my team back home with things that they can start implementing right away.”

Quite a bit of my discomfort with numbers was alleviated by the strong program featuring best-in-class presenters covering the spectrum of the industry, from development to affordable to conventional housing. Sessions ranged from amenities that improve the resident experience to broadband Internet, from smart home technology to big data.

“We’re looking for opportunities to increase revenue—the underwriting session in particular had very valuable information,” said Danielle Munoz, Senior Regional Property Manager for Pacific Living Properties. “It’s great to have an intimate conference that gives the opportunity to focus in on driving your financial business.”

First-time attendee Lupe Griffin, for Inland Residential Real Estate Services, echoed the sentiment. “I found the content appealing. We’ve had a significant amount of experience in the multifamily world, but our portfolio is very different than four years ago—we’re acquiring class A properties—and we’re seeking to improve value for our investors.

I still may not be fully comfortable with numbers, but I do love words, and walked away from the experience in awe of the interactions among attendees, especially those who connected in the Networking Hall in and among the 18 suppliers offering the latest products and services in the industry.

“Networking has been fantastic—we actually already have three hot leads on new business partners,” says Curley. “We love any opportunity to network with investors, business partners and potential clients, and MAXIMIZE is one of the few conferences where we feel like we really have the ample opportunity to do that.”

Registration is now open for MAXIMIZE: 2017 Multifamily Asset Management Conference, Oct. 2-4 at the Grand Hyatt in Austin, Texas (no calculator required, except for me).