Survey shows strength in numbers.

If you went to your local county fair this summer, there's a good chance you saw people participating in the Strong Man game. It's a carnival favorite--test your strength, ring the bell, win a prize.

This year, NAA's 2006 Survey of Operating Income and Expenses in Rental Apartment Communities is another winner. The data, compiled by Robert J. Sheehan and Roland Freeman, CAPS, CRE, CPM, and available in summary on page 31 and online at www.naahq.org/06ies in our members-only section, reflect a positive trend in the apartment industry. By comparing your numbers with the survey's results, you can more accurately develop your 2007 budget.

On page 52 is a form for those wishing to participate in this survey for next year. To all those who participated, I appreciate your spending the time to contribute.

But sometimes even the best planning can't prepare a company for expenses beyond its control. Steep hikes in the price of utilities nationwide are making it challenging for apartment managers to anticipate and afford the cost of energy. In Power Plays, page 16, John Keim explains how these increased costs are felt in more ways than in just the price of heating and cooling units.

Dee Strong believes that during budget preparation is the perfect time to challenge a community's operating expenses to uncover hidden savings. Read her article, Taking Control of Operating Expenses, page 22, and find out how the simple process of bidding all projects, coupled with the art of negotiation, can produce a dramatic reduction in expenses.

When it comes to the best way to invest, not all paths lead to prosperity. An investment expert shares the twists and turns in The Investment Journey, page 26.

From hassle-free move-ins to business advice, the way housing providers manage relationships with their student residents from Day One can make renewals and referrals a cinch. Mary Gywn, CPM, provides tips to Keep Them Coming Back to School, page 54.

Nothing is worse than an angry resident with a broken air conditioner. On page 61, Don Willard, CAMT, tells us How to Keep Your Cool When HVACs Go Wrong.

Moving forward with an aggressive agenda and considerable optimism, the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) has achieved tremendous progress throughout its second year. NAAEI's efforts to promote apartment industry careers and develop online and classroom training has shifted into high gear, with an Executive Vice President and funds in place. Read about NAAEI's plan for success in Accelerated Learning, page 65.

For Kristi Steward, CAM, building and maintaining a strong staff is one of the most challenging parts of her job as a Property Manager for Mid-America Apartment Communities. In For Florida State Graduate, Property Management Is a Colorful Career, page 71, she explains how the residential property management program at Florida State University helped to teach her how to manage effectively.

from NAA's Chairman of the Board, Joe Sharp, CAPS