The CAI Annual Conference and Exposition: Community NOW boasts more than 200 first-time attendees this year, another record for a record-breaking event. During the first-timers’ reception yesterday, these community association volunteers and professionals were excited to learn and grow.
“I want to see what is going on and network with people,” says Tina Hemmeter with Level Property Management in Las Vegas. A CAI member for three years, Hemmeter is interested in “gaining some education and earning all the designations I can.”
Although Lisa Nunley with Caughlin Ranch Homeowners Association in Reno, Nev., is a long-time CAI member, this is her first annual conference. “I’ve never been able to go,” she says. “I’m looking forward to being at the conference and to take back foundational information to our board of directors to help them to grow in their volunteer positions.”
Diana Bridgett, with Leisure World Community Association in Mesa, Ariz., is at the conference to “gain educational goals and learn more about the industry.” She is striving to “move her community forward and stay abreast of trends and assist staff.”
Artemis Avetisyan, CMCA, AMS, with Ross Morgan & Co., in Valencia, Calif., is interested in “meeting as many people as I can and finding out more about the industry.”
Vicki Egan, CMCA, PCAM, with Icon Realty Services, in Santa Clarita, Calif., came for the continuing education. She attended the wellness in the workplace course prior to annual conference and felt it contained useful information for professionals and homeowners.
In addition to the first-timers, CAI is welcoming many longtime members who can count dozens of annual conferences to their records. They come to connect with friends and colleagues, network, share ideas, and learn something new.
Attendees from more than a dozen countries — including Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, and Panama — were welcomed with tours of Sienna Community Association, Heritage at Stonebridge Homeowners Association, Panorama Towers, and Management Trust community association management company.
The CAI Press bookstore opened with more than 90 products for sale, including keynote speaker Bert Jacobs’ Life is Good book and two new CAI books — a new edition of Drafting Rules, a new title Capital Projects. Attendees have access to exclusive on-site deals for free shipping, digital discounts, and buy-more-save-more savings.
Education sessions, Jacobs’ keynote, the Professional Community Association Managers (PCAM) reception, and the chapter party highlight a busy day today.
>>Check Ungated for more as annual conference unfolds.
