2007 NAA Education Conference & Exposition: making a difference finale.

Talk about beginner's luck--having her name drawn as the grand prize winner was the ultimate pay-off for Tracie Eagle, District Manager, Berkshire Properties, Hampton Roads, Va., who was attending her first NAA Education Conference & Exposition in June in Las Vegas.

Having recently been promoted from Property Manager to District Manager, she traveled to Las Vegas with 28 others from her company. Her giddy colleagues quickly encircled her after the announcement, sharing in her astonishment and excitement.

"I would have never thought I had a chance at the prize," Eagle said, who opted for the $30,000 over the 2007 BMWi sports sedan. "I've never won anything in my life--not even door prizes. I joked with some of the others that I'd be driving home after the conference, but cash is always the wiser decision. This has been a wonderful experience. I'll definitely be back for the NAA Conference next year in Orlando."

The grand prize was sponsored by NAA's 18 Platinum Sponsors-Apartment Finder, Apartment Guide Printernet, AT&T, AZUMA Leasing, Coinmach, Comcast, For Rent Media Solutions, HD Supply, Intuit Real Estate Solutions, Lowe's, Mac-Gray, Move, RealPage, Rent.com, Seam, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and Yardi.

Everyone was a winner in Las Vegas at the 2007 NAA Education Conference & Exposition as NAA set record highs in attendance, education sessions, sponsorship and exhibitors.

More than 6,000 attendees spent three days at the fabulous Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas as part of the most comprehensive national education event and trade show for the apartment industry.

"The record-setting figures across the board from this year's conference again underscores its value and importance to the apartment industry," said NAA Chairman of the Board Dave Watkins, CAPS, Greystar Management Services, Tampa. "With its broad scope of education offerings, exhibitors and networking opportunities, the NAA Education Conference & Exposition truly is our industry's premier event. This conference provided the perfect stage for our industry to show how it is making a difference on a national scale."

The record number of more than 50 education sessions spanning eight specific career tracks were loaded with insight, best practices and motivational tips that addressed leadership, human resources, specialty housing, independent rental owners, value and asset preservation, marketing and leasing, technology and a wild card.

"I followed the human resources and technology tracks," Cara Clifford, Regional Manager, Konover Residential, West Hartford, Conn., said. "The information was awesome. Everyone was a great presenter."

Jerry Richard, Property Manager, Buckingham Properties, Indianapolis, said the conference center's floor layout was welldesigned and easy to navigate, leading him to valuable industry information that he can apply to his everyday operations.

"I enjoyed the sessions by the Apartment All Stars and hearing speaker Megan Johnson of Johnson Training Group talk about working with multiple generations of employees in the office," Richard said.

In a truly succinct summary, Don Behunin, CEO, Sequoia 1031 Companies, Dallas, said, "The entire conference was very entertaining and very educational."

The trade show floor, spanning 140,000 square feet, 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.

"Walking the trade show floor is great because it's a great way to find out what the vendors are coming out with and what's new," said Kelly Schmidt, Regional Manager, Gables Residential, McLean, Va.

Speaking of Industry Trends

Attendees enjoyed entertaining and inspirational keynote speakers, including football greats Peyton Manning and his father Archie Manning, who discussed leadership and teamwork.

"Peyton's remarks were very enjoyable, especially his reflections on all his big games," said Steve Adams, Senior Vice President, LaJolla, Calif. "Hearing their advice on goal setting, gratitude and the importance of sound management really help."

Television news reporter Lesley Stahl reported on perception versus reality in the media today.

"It's always great to see and hear from a successful business woman," said Virginia Silva, Training Manager, AIMCO, Denver." [Stahl's] point about perception versus reality is something we can bring back to our industry as we try to bring our communities to the next level. We have to make our communities look unique and aesthetically appealing."

NAAEI presented speaker Chris Gardner, whose rags-to-riches life story about rising from homelessness to becoming a high-powered Wall Street broker was portrayed recently in a Hollywood movie.

"Chris Gardner was the best speaker NAA has ever had. He was wonderful," said Karen Watson, Property Manager, Trillium Properties in Gary, Ind. "I saw the movie and bought the book, it was very inspiring to see him in person."

In another session, a diverse group of industry CEOs shared their experiences, advice and results about current and future trends in the apartment industry during "Innovation and Inspiration," moderated by former NAA Chairman Deane Dolben, CAPS, The Dolben Company, Boston.

Economic climate, onsite management, green building, compensation, resident retention, technology and design were among the subjects discussed by Sue Ansel, Gables Residential; Steve Lamberti, Milestone Management; Stan Harrelson, Pinnacle Realty; and John Pringle, E&S Ring Management.

Jennifer Borland, President, Evans Property Management, Oakland, Calif., said she could have listened to the panel "talk shop" all day. "All the topics were ones that we all deal with every day," Borland said. "I appreciated their specific, relevant answers."

Attendees also were able to tour three distinct Las Vegas apartment communities with A-class amenities, gathering ideas for design and marketing that could apply to any U.S. market by brainstorming with each other and community hosts.

See You Next Year in Orlando

Take advantage of earlybird registration rates for the 2008 NAA Education Conference & Exposition to be held June 26-28 at the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida. The event offers more than 50 education sessions, more than 6,000 industry professionals to network with and 150,000 square feet of exhibit space with more than 300 booths.

For information about the event, visit the NAA Web site at www.naahq.org. Those interested in exhibit space should contact NAA's Justin Barker at Ext. 131 or [e-mail].

NAAPAC Golf Challenge a Hole-in-One

The NAAPAC hosted the NAAPAC Golf Challenge in conjunction with the 2007 NAA Education Conference & Exposition and raised more than $70,000 for the NAAPAC.

Held at TPC Canyons, host to the PGA Frys.com Open, the event attracted more than 140 member registrants. The foursome who placed first in the tournament was Michael Fortinberry, Scott Stamilio, Todd Halverson and Dave Wilson.

Other winners included closest to the pin, Brent Heilbron (8 feet, 11 inches); longest putt, Scott Stamilio (39 inches); longest drive, Shawn Handrahan (416 yards--it ricocheted off a boulder).

NAA would like to thank the sponsors of the NAAPAC Golf Challenge who helped to make the event a success: Alabama Apartment Association; Apartment Finder; Apartment Guide; Arizona MultiHousing Association; Atlanta Apartment Association; California Apartment Association; Florida Apartment Association; For Rent Media Solutions; Greater Boston Real Estate Board; HD Supply; Houston Apartment Association; InStar Services; Lincoln Property Company; Mac-Gray; Missouri Apartment Association; NAA Region 1; NAA Region 3; Texas Apartment Association; ZMG Construction.