2005 NAA Education Conference & Exposition: you can have it all!

It was all there, and all under one roof. The 2005 NAA Education Conference & Exposition showed NAA members that "You Can Have It All" and a record number of attendees and exhibitors made the most of their opportunities at the apartment industry's greatest single education, marketing and networking event.

More than 4,200 attendees spent three days at the luxurious Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., just outside of Orlando, enjoying entertaining and inspirational keynote speakers including NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, who spoke about leadership; FBI agent Frank Abagnale, who spoke about family values; as well as the heartfelt story of Liz Murray, who took members on a journey through her life, which involved rising from the depths of poverty to earning a scholarship and attending Harvard University.

The record number of education session offerings were loaded with insight, best practices and motivational tips that covered all aspects of apartment management: marketing, community development, leadership, team building, human resources, independent rental owner issues, retention, insurance, technology, maintenance, design, customer service, niche markets and legal and legislative issues. Attendees also had an opportunity to tour three of the Orlando market's most innovative communities.

Everyone's a Winner

The trade show floor, with its record 306 exhibitors occupying an all-time high of 615 booths, overflowed with attendees who found information on the latest products and services in the apartment industry. The fun, exciting, fast-paced environment was ideal for those walking the aisles.

The conference finale on Saturday afternoon delivered the dramatic grand-prize random drawing, in which one winner was able to choose either $25,000, a 2005 Mini Cooper convertible or an African safari vacation.

The grand prize was sponsored by NAA's record 12 Platinum Sponsors--Apartment Finder, Apartment Guide Printernet, AZUMA Leasing, BellSouth Residential Services, Coinmach Corporation, For Rent Magazine, The Home Depot Supply, Rent.com, RENTNET, Resident Data Inc., Sears Contract Sales and Time Warner Connect.

First-time conference attendee Kurt R. Gies, an investment advisor front Smith Equities Corp., Orlando, Fla., won the prize. He chose the cash. Gies, 40, recently returned from serving two years in the U.S. military under the "Enduring Freedom" campaign in Afghanistan, working at command central.

"I had planned to go on a vacation with my two children very soon," Gies said. "Now, it's going to be an even better vacation!"

The grand-prize winner was not the only one who left happy. Random drawings were held every day on the trade show floor, awarding cash prizes, merchandise and services.

Those prizes were provided through a record number of sponsorship dollars, including 20 Metal Sponsors.

Taking a break from the education and trade show floor, attendees enjoyed an opening party, sponsored by NAA's National Supplier's Council (NSC), and a Closing Gala that featured "The World Classic Rockers," a rock group that included artists from many familiar classic rock bands. Four NAA members were chosen to perform with the band: Mark Eastwood, Rent.com; Joy Summerville, Julian LeCraw; April Knehr, CLK Multifamily Management; and Steve Wunch, Lane Company.

"The conference overall could not have gone better," said 2005 NAA Education Conference & Exposition Chair Marc Rosenwasser, Meadow Wood Property Company, Tampa. "There was such a wonderful volume of management people on the trade show floor, so much so that some exhibitors expressed that they had wished they had brought more staff to help accommodate the questions and comments of members.

"The education sessions were well attended, informative, enlightening and inspirational. All the keynote speakers hit a home run. More than 70 member volunteers worked very hard and were very helpful and hospitable," Rosenwasser said.

New to education session list this year were "idea exchange" sessions, where attendees met and discussed topics such as the bottom line, human resources, marketing and management in a comfortable, round-table format.

"Everyone at the idea exchanges threw in ideas from all over the country," said Christine Kunkle, Regional Property Manager, Lincoln Property Co., Dallas. "I got so meaty good ideas. I came back from the conference all fired up and refreshed."

Rave Reviews

Peter Larson, a Regional Property Manager with KSI in Centreville, VA., was a first-time attendee. "It was such a classy, well-organized event," Larson said. "The seminar speakers were vibrant and engaging and the networking opportunities on the trade show floor were fantastic. We met many exhibitors whose services I know we can use at KSI."

Janet Anderson, a first-time attendee, said the conference was well worth the trip. "It provided a great networking tool," said Anderson, a Property Manager with Trillium's Harborside Community in East Chicago, Ill. "There was a lot of great information about team-building, and "all the education sessions were really enlightening."

Loretta Krull, Florida Division Area Vice President for JMG Realty in Tampa said, "The trade show floor was just phenomenal."

Paul Lichfield, an owner/manager of 38 units for Cedar Tree Properties in Ogden. Utah, said the trade show floor was the best ever and "the education sessions focused on service, and we learned how important that is when times are tight," he said. "I took back a lot of ideas on how to provide better service."

Hirsch Inducted Into NAA Hell of Fame

Henry Hirsch, CAPS, was a devoted family man, an individual of tremendous personal self assurance, always ready to help others with information or money if needed. He was continuously interested in seeing changes that improved the apartment industry.

Hirsch passed away a year ago at age 67 from cancer. All who knew him assert that he was a very decent, caring, giving man.

During the Opening General Session, Hirsch because the 10th inductee into the NAA Hall of Fame. A tribute to Hirsch was presented by 2001 NAA President Phil Carlock, CAPS, CPM, a friend and business associate of Hirsch for 25 years.

Accepting the Hall of Fame award on Hirsch's behalf were the most important people in his life, his family: his wife, Etta Raye Hirsch; his children, Lisa (and Seth) Greenberg, and David (and Michelle) Hirsch; and his three grandchildren.

Hirsch's son David told the audience, "My father always said that NAA was the best avenue to take when he set out to meet his goals." Hirsch's son-in-law Seth Greenberg added, "NAA has given my father-in-law so much, and he always tried to give back, especially considering that those in NAA shared his passion for the industry."

Hirsch was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1937 and later moved to Tampa, Fla. In 1969, Hirsch founded a development/construction company--Engineered Concepts Inc.--where he developed, built and managed multifamily housing throughout the Southeast.

Through hard work and commitment, Hirsch developed more than 10,000 units. Today, the ECI Group currently owns or manages more than 7,500 apartment homes and has completed more than $300 million in new construction and rehabilitation.

Young Puts Members in the Huddle

For Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, the epiphany started after yet another interception, when Young returned to the San Francisco 49ers' bench explaining to others what just happened. He tried to analyze the situation. To teammates, his analysis sounded like an excuse. And he eventually figured out they only wanted to hear one thing.

"I screwed up," Young would tell them.

Young's messages, particularly those that applied to hard work and accountability, resonated with the thousands in attendance at the Opening General Session.

"Our team owner, Eddie DeBartolo would say, 'Fellas, I thought I gave you everything you needed to win a championship,'" Young said. "'Clearly I did not,' and our coach, Bill Walsh, would say, 'There are many times I screwed up this year as a head coach. This off season I'll fix them.'"

Teresa Montague, a Regional Manager for Gables Residential in Houston, liked Young's football analogies, particularly regarding the huddle. An NFL huddle is a study in cooperation, with players from all over the country gathering dozens of times a game. Young, who led the 49ers to a Super Bowl title, said to win in the NFL, there must he an "element of love."

"The approach we go through is similar," said Dave Storer, a Property Manager with North Street Properties in Lexington, Ky. "If a problem happens, there are two ways to go. You either say, 'Sorry, I'll take care of it.' Or you say, 'That's unacceptable, I'll take care of it right now.'"

Abagnale Stresses Family Values

They marveled at his ingenuity as he recalled his days of thievery, a tale so good it became a movie. Frank Abagnale cashed checks when and where he wanted, posed as a pilot, doctor and lawyer, traveled the country and figured out how to stay in hotels for free.

But that's not why many who listened to General Session keynote speaker Abagnale left wiping their eyes and thinking of family.

Abagnale was matter-of-fact when discussing the details of his career that were turned into the plot for the hit movie "Catch Me If You Can." That is, until he talked about the lasting impact that period had on his life.

"I know a lot of people are fascinated by the things I did," Abagnale said. "But I spend each day with regret for the mistakes I made. I felt they were illegal, immoral and unethical."

And then he turned to what really matters to him these days. After his short period of crime mid prison sentences, Abagnale went to work for the FBI. He met his wife of 28 years while on an undercover job in Houston and they have three children.

"To be a man has nothing to do with money or skills or accomplishments," Abagnale said. "A real man loves his wife. A real man is faithful to his wife a real man after God and country, puts his wife and children as the most important things in his life. I've done nothing more worthwhile than simply being a good husband and lather. What I strive for in life is to be a great daddy."

He talked about the devastating effects of divorce. And about how he cried himself to sleep every night until he was 19. His message of love and family reverberated.

"There's no question that's what it's all about," said Richard Cheek, Owner of Rivercliff Community in Little Rock, Ark. "I was interested in his story, but his message had a lot more meaning to me. It touched me when he talked about revering your wife. It's something that isn't talked about often, but nothing can be more important."

Property Tours 'Wow' Attendees

Attendees were privileged to tour three Orlando-area apartment communities, gaining the chance to view distinct trends and styles as well as hear marketing ideas and see amenity packages for residents in Central Florida.

On the tour was City View at Hughes Square, managed by JMG Realty. The seven-story, 266-unit mixed-use community that opened in November 2003 is surrounded by an aging urban neighborhood.

Another was NorthBridge on Millenia Lake. The $75 million community of 607 ultra-luxury apartments managed by The CED Companies includes 27,700 square feet of commercial space in the growing Millenia area adjacent to the Mall at Millenia.

The third was The Estates at Park Avenue, built as a second phase to the former Park Avenue at MetroWest, the Estates at Park Avenue. Winter Park-based developer Epoch Properties commissioned 11 floor plans appealing to an upper-end resident profile.

Jenifer Paneral, Senior Vice President of Operations for Alliance Residential, Houston, oversees apartments in Texas, Arizona and Nevada as part of Alliance's 60,000-unit national portfolio.

"I really enjoy seeing what other markets are doing," Paneral said. "The idea City View had to identify each floor with a different color is a good one. And the mix of affordable housing and market rate is good, especially with their goal of redeveloping their part of the city."

Liz Murray Story Inspires Members

The NAA Education Institute presented "From Homeless to Harvard," Liz Murray's fascinating and inspirational story of growing up under the shadow of two drug-addicted parents.

Homeless at age 15, Murray slept on subway cars and ate from trashcans. After her mother died of AIDS, Murray was determined not to let her circumstances define her. Recognizing that education was the key to a fresh beginning, Murray overcame incredible odds to finish high school in just two years while living on the streets. She was subsequently awarded a scholarship to Harvard.

Murray's sincerity, maturity and grace amazed the audience as it listened to her examples of hard work, determination and daily commitment to achievement.

"She conveyed to me that you always have the chance to change your future if you change your outlook about things," said Becky Weaver, Vice President of Operations for American Residential Group, Tulsa, Okla. "She was very inspirational and taught us how important it is to listen to that little voice in your head when you are deciding which way to turn when you reach a fork in the road."

Debbie Potter, Senior Property Manager for WinnResidential, Richmond, Va., said, "The most important lesson she shared was that just because you think you've reached the bottom, it's not over."

Can't Wait to See You in 2006

Please join us at the 2006 NAA Education Conference & Exposition in New Orleans, June 15-17 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside & Morial Convention Center. Visit www.naahq.org/educonf for details and updates.