Community association professionals, volunteers, and business partners are gathering next week in Orlando, Fla., for the 2025 CAI Annual Conference & Exposition: Community NOW to soak up the Florida sunshine — and all the education and networking opportunities the conference offers.
First-time participants to the 2024 conference in Las Vegas have some practical suggestions for navigating the annual industry gathering. As recipients of CAI scholarships designed to enhance board member education and participation, they have a unique perspective.
“For me, attending the conference was a great educational experience,” says Diane Schoolsky with the Lingate Owners Association in Tarzana, Calif. “Where else could you hobnob and share experiences with people from all over the world? Swapping war stories with other homeowners allows us to better handle the problems we face in our own communities.”
Schoolsky, a new member of the CAI Homeowner Leaders Council, doesn’t mince words.
“My best advice to current and future board members is multifold. Get as much education as you possibly can. And be patient and considerate of your fellow board members. We all come from different backgrounds.”
For Jasana Levy, who previously served on a community association board in Meriden, Conn., attending the conference advanced her professional and personal development. “I returned from (it) with resources, information, and meaningful connections which have improved our community,” she says.
Levy enjoyed the variety of conference offerings. “There were many interesting conference sessions and opportunities for networking. I wish I could have been in two places at once most days to soak in as much information and networking as possible,” she says. “I enjoyed meeting fellow first-timers at a special reception held for us. It was a great way to kick off the conference.”
Don’t forget the social aspects of the conference. “It was great to meet other board members from different areas and learn about the commonalities that exist between us,” Levy adds. “On one of the conference days, I met and had lunch with board members from a large association in Hawaii. Though our communities are very different, primarily in size and location, we found common ground and were able to make lasting connections.”
Mary Ensley, president of the Shadow Creek Farms Homeowners Association in Columbus, Ind., appreciated the warm welcome she received. “Everyone in the CAI community is kind and wonderful,” she says. “Everyone from managers, board members, business partners, and high-level executives treated me with respect and grace.”
Ensley also learned a lot. “I urge board members everywhere to utilize all the training and educational material CAI provides,” she says. “There is always something to learn whether you are a new or a seasoned board member.”
>>Learn more about the CAI Annual Conference and Exposition: Community NOW and join us in Orlando next week.
