2008 NAA Student Housing Conference: February 19-20: Fairmont Dallas Hotel: Dallas, Texas.

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Hundreds Attend NAA's First Student Housing Conference

More than 500 apartment industry professionals at NAA's first annual Student Housing Conference at the Fairmont Dallas Hotel were schooled Feb. 19-20 in essential development, operations and management issues affecting this fastest growing niche market in the apartment industry.

As an increasing number of colleges and universities are opting-out of providing students on-campus housing solutions, many are deferring to NAA members to provide this much needed service to Generation Y students.

General Session speaker Cam Marston, COO of Marston Communications, opened the conference with an insightful introduction to generational differences among Matures, Baby Boomers. Generation X and Generation Y, and how best to appeal to the work attitudes and the marketing needs associated with each generation.

Industry professionals in marketing, pre-development, operations, technology, legal issues and the tricky student housing turn process led education sessions, followed by a lively turn process Q&A to end the two-day conference.

"Just about every aspect of student housing was covered." said attendee and presenter Rachel Kihn, Vice President of Marketing at Inland American Communities in Atlanta. "'Cam Marston did a fantastic job setting the tone for the entire conference by giving us an overview of Generation Y and the key factors driving its members' behaviors. That subject is so critical for those of us in student housing because not only is Generation Y our target market, but its members also make up the majority of our staff."

Eighty-nine exhibiting companies with approximately 184 booth workers occupying 94 booths, and five sponsors--Apartment Guide, Capture the Market, JP Management Services, RealPage and University Furnishings--filled the trade show floor, showcasing their products and services with prizes and giveaways during the conference's lunch break and during the evening welcome reception.

"Not only was there a lot of sincere enthusiasm and interest to build better student communities, there were also several industry owners and managers at the conference into the student housing market." said Peter Pierangeli, Senior Sales Executive at NWP Services Corporation. "The momentum is moving forward and I recommend that all those who work in the multifamily housing industry participate in this exciting market."

Skip Huddleston. Director of Sales & Marketing at AAPCO Southeast Inc., agreed. "The quality of attendees, as it relates to decision makers, was second to none." he said. "The speakers were extremely knowledgeable and the subject matter was timely: This was the first organized event we have attended that was dedicated solely to this area of the multifamily housing market, and I can assure you it will not be the last."

NAA raffled off four fabulous prizes at the reception. Misty White, Education Realty Trust, Memphis. Tenn.: Becky Ross, Curry Junction Apartments, Abeline, Texas; and Stephen Adams, LaSalle Investment Management, La Jolla, Calif., each won a $200 American Express gift card.

Peggy Hall, Properly Manager at Woodland Trails Apartments in Nacogdoches, Texas, won one free full-conference registration to the 2009 NAA Student Housing Conference in Dallas.

Conference co-chairs were Pard Dougan Vice President of University Furnishings, and Stephen Klee, President of The Medallion Group.

For information and a 2009 Student Housing Conference registration form, visit www.naahq.org.