Send Us Your Units Stories.

This is the sixth issue of Units magazine this year and with each issue, we've tried to cover a different aspect of multifamily housing life ... everything from design trends to industry education to this month's featured subjects, environmental issues and financing. There are so many critical areas facing our industry, which is why we turn to the NAA Communications Advisory Board (CAB) when narrowing down topics for Units. We want to create a concise and timely editorial calendar for the coming year.

The CAB begins discussing editorial topics at its Education Conference meeting and will set the Units Editorial Calendar over the next two months. Our CAB members are excellent resources. Most have been in the industry for many years and offer excellent insight on topics for the magazine and in which issue they ought to be covered.

We've always said that Units is about you. This is your magazine, which is why it's so important for us to have your feedback. Have you read a Units story that really piqued your interest? Let us know. To make this your magazine, we particularly need your written contributions, including submitting a release on a new or rehab community for our Community Showcase section, or a new product release for our What's New On The Market section, as well as news on your local association for NAA Today.

We're always interested in having our members submit feature articles. If there is something you feel warrants a story, call the NAA Communications Department (703/518-6141 x137). Maybe there is a particular trend you have come across for which you'd like more guidance in your job. And remember, you can earn three designate continuing education credits by submitting a 2,000-word Units article on a topic in your area of expertise. We have so many members who specialize in different areas. Why don't you share your valuable experience with the entire NAA membership? So, if there is something you'd like to write about, contact our Communications Department.

A Special Thank You

Our 2000 Education Conference and The Real Show of Real Estate Management was a tremendous success, thanks to conference chair, Tom Shelton, and the hard work and dedication of volunteers from the New Orleans Apartment Association. I keep hearing from attendees that the 2000 Education Conference was NAA's best ever!

We hope if you were with us in New Orleans, you personally thanked members of the Greater New Orleans Apartment Association, who made our week in their fine city so comfortable. We honored their group with a Host Committee Recognition Award during our Paragon Awards Assembly, but their contributions were so special, I'd like to repeat them. After recruiting more than 100 volunteers, this group wrote articles for Units magazine; staffed the convention center kiosk where they answered New Orleans questions; donned Mardi Gras costumes to help us celebrate at the Welcome Reception; and, served as hosts at all four communities during the NAA Property Tours. Their association president, Stacey Shane Schott, and executive director, Tammy Esponge, deserve kudos for pulling this fine volunteer corps together.

We know next year's 2001 Education Conference in Las Vegas seems a long ways off, but to save you some money, we're keeping our conference registration fees for next year at our 2000 level until Nov. 1-$445 for NAA members. Turn to page 86 and mail in or fax your conference registration now! Once again, thank you to Tom Shelton, the 2000 Conference Committee and the New Orleans Apartment Association. See you in Las Vegas.

Units welcomes, your comments on this article. Please email [e-mail];fax to 703/518-6191; or write Units, 201 N. Union St.,#200, Alexandra, VA 22314.