Community Associations Institute kicks off the largest international gathering of homeowners, community managers, and business partners serving community associations today at the 2024 CAI Annual Conference and Exposition: Community NOW at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The three-day conference is the premier destination for more than 2,000 community association peers from around the world to come together, share ideas, and network.
Keynote speaker Bert Jacobs, the co-founder and CEO of the $150 million lifestyle brand Life is Good, will tell the story of how the company came to be — mistakes, missteps, and all — in his heartwarming, funny, and refreshing story.
When Bert and his brother John started the company in 1994, they had $78 in their pockets, lived out of their van, and sold t-shirts on the streets of Boston. It’s been 30 years since they sold their first t-shirt, but Bert and John champion the same mission to this day: to spread the power of optimism. On their journey, they’ve been inspired by a vibrant community of resilient optimists who consistently demonstrate the depth and meaning behind the three simple words “Life is Good.”
Bert’s story will leave attendees with the tools to develop an optimistic mindset and build a vibrant community. Listeners will uncover a deeper purpose in both their community and in their life, and they’ll leave united, connected, and ready to spread the power of optimism.
Conference attendees also will find informative education sessions from leading experts covering the latest challenges and trends in community associations — from the Corporate Transparency Act, artificial intelligence, the turbulent economy, the hard insurance market, building safety, resolving conflict with homeowners, and much more.
In addition to a first-class exhibition hall featuring the latest products, services, and support for community associations, CAI is throwing a Roaring ‘20s Jazz Age party on Friday featuring fedoras, flapper dresses, and feathers to celebrate a successful conference.
“CAI’s events unite our community, and by having the knowledge, expertise, and contacts, we build professionals and leaders who make community associations preferred places to call home,” says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, CAI’s chief executive officer. “Judging by this year’s attendance numbers, our membership is enthusiastic to connect, build their networks, and share perspectives, experiences, and knowledge.”
Founded in 1973, CAI was organized through the joint efforts of the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Homebuilders, the U.S. League of Savings and Loan Associations, the Veterans Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 23 builders and developers, and several leading community association professionals. Today, the organization represents more than 46,000 members across the globe in collaboration with 64 chapters in the U.S., Canada, Middle East, and South Africa, as well as with housing leaders in Australia, United Kingdom, and a number of countries.
CAI supports the millions of people living and working in condominiums, housing cooperatives, and homeowners associations. When the organization was formed more than 50 years ago, there were roughly 10,000 common interest communities that were home to 700,000 housing units and 2.1 million residents. Today, there are more than 365,000 community associations with 28.2 million homes and 75.5 million residents. CAI expects the community association housing model to become the primary form of housing in the U.S. by 2040.
>>Look for daily updates from the 2024 Annual Conference and Exposition: Community NOW on the blog. Learn more about CAI’s events.
Photo caption: Julia Boehm-McKay, Morgan Place, and Kelly Grimes at the 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition: Community NOW in Dallas. Brian Adams Photography.
