Schedule
Inspire 2024 has something for everyone!
Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
- Registration
- Meeting
- Session
- Trade Show
- Event
- Other
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Executive Committee Meeting | Invitation Only
Location: 321 Conference Room
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Attendee Registration
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Setup and Registration
Location: Great Hall and Great Hall Registration
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Networking Continental Breakfast
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Florida Suppliers Council Meeting
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 3
Sponsored by: BEGA Services Inc.
Noon - 3:00 p.m.
Legislative Platform Meeting*
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Learn about legislative issues that face Florida's multifamily industry and help determine FAA's legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session.
*Separate registration required.
Sponsored by: BANYAN Utility
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
APAC Major Investors Reception | Invitation Only
Location: 33rd Floor Lounge
Sponsored by: Artisent Floors
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
All Hands on Deck for APAC
Buses will depart from the Diplomat Beach Resort lobby at 6:30 p.m.
This is a separately ticketed event. Those without wristbands will not be admitted.
Sponsored by: Cohen Construction Inc., HH Staffing, & Belfor Property Restoration
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Attendee Registration
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Exhibitor Setup and Registration
Location: Great Hall and Great Hall Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Networking Continental Breakfast
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
Sponsored by: Urban Surfaces
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | OPENING SESSION
The Rock Star Attitude: There Are No Small Moments
Location: Grand Ballroom
Presented By: Mark Schulman, Keynote Speaker
The Inspire 2024 opening session will feature a State of the FAA report by Executive Vice President Chip Tatum, President's Message from Ricardo Alicea, and an NAA Update from Rick Snyder. Then, get ready to rock!
The rock star attitude can be summed up in five words: There are no small moments. Every detail is critical. Everything you do matters. The world’s greatest pop and rock artists share that attitude – something drummer Mark Schulman learned firsthand after years of touring with acts like Cher, Pink, Foreigner, Simple Minds, Stevie Nicks, and Billy Idol.
Sponsored by: i4 Waste Valet & Recycling
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Trade Show Grand Opening and Luncheon
Non-exhibiting suppliers are not permitted on the show floor.
Location: Great Hall
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Available on Trade Show Floor
Location: Great Hall
Sponsored by: Pelican International
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Association Executives Council Meeting | Invitation Only
Location: 212 / 213 Conference Rooms (South Tower, 2nd Floor)
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Property Management Executive Forum | Invitation Only
Track: Executive
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 3
Facilitator: Alexandra Jackiw, Hayes Gibson Property Services LLC
This invitation-only session is an exclusive opportunity for C-suite and other multifamily executives.
.Sponsored by: Kings III Emergency Communications
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Predicting the Unpredictable Gen Z Renter
Track: Marketing
Location: Grand Ballroom
Facilitator: Lia Nichole Smith, ApartmentRatings and SatisFacts, Divisions of Internet Brands
A tipping point refers to a critical threshold at which a small change or event can lead to a dramatic and irreversible shift, and the multifamily industry has found itself at one with the rise of the Gen Z renter. Currently on track to become the most diverse, most educated, and most pragmatic of any generation we’ve seen, these renters have high expectations with a collective buying power that will only get stronger as they get older. The data aggregated from Gen Z renters and presented in this session identifies 2025 as the year of change for how communities will be built, marketed, and managed. This session will present a glimpse into the future by way of predictive analytics and insight into what your organization can do right now to prepare for what’s to come.
Sponsored by: REACH by RentCafe.com
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Savvy Strategies for Tech Resistant Teams
Track: Industry Trends and Technology
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Moderator: Kristi Fickert, Realync
Panelists: Lori Agudo, Royal American Management; Michelle Wood, Atlantic Pacific Companies
Embracing technology is not just an option but a necessity for staying competitive and delivering top-notch service in today’s market. However, many managers face challenges in getting their teams to wholeheartedly adopt new technologies, often encountering resistance due to concerns about information overload, change fatigue, and the fear of having to learn another tool. This session is designed to equip attendees with a comprehensive toolkit to address these common issues and effectively measure and manage the process. Attendees will learn to rally their teams around tech adoption and ensure successful integration of technology, so their portfolios are future-proofed for years to come.
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Understand how to set measurable benchmarks and KPIs for tracking tech adoption progress.
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Gain insights into tailoring adoption strategies to different team members based on their positions on the adoption curve.
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Create a tech adoption roadmap that absorbs common pain points and accelerates performance.
Sponsored by: HappyCo
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Listen to Me! Empathic Listening Is Key to Effective Leadership
Track: Leadership
Location: Regency Ballroom
Co-presenters: Russ Webb, Bay Area Apartment Association; John Sons, Burlington Capital Properties
Are you an empath? According to recent surveys, employees are feeling like their voices aren’t being heard and their concerns aren’t being understood.Yet, leaders say they’re spending more time than ever in conversation with teams. In today's multigenerational workforce, empathic listening is a must-have skill for effective leadership. This session will dive into what it takes to listen with purpose and understanding, along with how this skill could be the most important in any leader's toolbox. Learn why listening is the most important communication tool, whether you’re meeting in person or across the miles. With the talent shortage we have right now in multifamily, this topic is more important than ever.
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Elevate your listening skills from active (good) to empathic (best) to gain a greater understanding of employees’ needs.
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Formulate skills to resolve team member conflict, build trust, and find common ground with members of a diverse workforce.
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Establish better connections, both intellectually and emotionally, to ensure associates feel understood, validated, and valued — so they stick around.
Sponsored by: WeDoTrash
4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Afternoon Refreshments
Location: Atlantic | Regency Foyer
Sponsored by: BELFOR Property Restoration
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Operating Backward Before Moving Forward
Track: Maintenance
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Speaker: Paul Rhodes, Directional Maintenance Services
Tired of being stuck in a reaction culture? How about operating backward instead? Operating backward is the process of starting at the end in the beginning instead of starting at the beginning in the end. In much of property management and especially in maintenance, there is a tendency to look backward. A pipe breaks and we respond, or we lose a valued employee and all we can do is find a new one. This session will provide actionable steps to prepare for these occurrences in a systematic process of prevention so when they happen, disruption is minimized.
Sponsored by: Rently
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cocktails and Compliance: An Affordable Housing Event
Track: Affordable Housing/Legal
Location: Regency Ballroom
Co-presenters: Janel Ganim, ResMan; Rue Fox, ResMan
Panelists: Ricardo Alicea, Wendover Housing Partners; Stacy Day, Karen A. Graham Consulting; Kimberly Maggard, Royal American Management
Let’s face it: Affordable housing compliance can be a dry topic, but this session promises to be anything but dry. Yes, it will cover current trends and legislative and regulatory issues that impact operations on HUD, LIHTC, and rural housing properties – but in an interactive way. The session features affordable housing experts who have seen it all from the management and technology sides. But while they may be the ones on stage, this is definitely a session where everyone is expected to participate, so bring your questions, ideas, and favorite drinking glass, and let’s have some fun talking compliance!
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Learn how HOTMA regulations affect not only your software but also your policies and procedures.
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Learn how you can centralize affordable housing tasks.
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Gain insight about new regulatory requirements and legislative issues.
Sponsored by: Signal Security
6:00 p.m. - Midnight | Open Evening for Supplier Events
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Oceanside Morning Yoga | No Experience Necessary
Location: South Palm Court
Get comfortable, find your zen, and begin your day with clarity and calm.
Sponsored by: Apartments.com
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Complimentary Luggage Storage
Location: Diplomat Ballroom 1
Attendees checking out on Friday are encouraged to use the complimentary luggage storage station to store your bags until you are ready to depart. Luggage storage is available from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Diplomat Ballroom 1, located on the second level of the Diplomat Convention Center.
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Networking Continental Breakfast
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
Sponsored by: FIDUS Construction Services
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Attendee Registration
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Your WHAT Is Broken?!
Track: Maintenance
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Speaker: Paul Rhodes, Directional Maintenance Services
Wouldn’t it be great to receive an answer when we ask the toilet “Why are you not flushing correctly?” Or when the service request states that the AC is broken, how awesome would it be to be able to ask the thermostat “Why is the temperature in the apartment so high?” and receive an audible answer. Possibly the most important skill for an apartment maintenance technician is knowing how to ask questions. Far too often a technician goes into a situation with incomplete information. Not knowing the questions to ask prevents a clear course of action being taken and can result in lost time, broken parts, and repeated visits to make a repair. This session will focus on more than just verbal methods for creating a query. Attendees will learn to move away from the madness of being vague, taking guesses, and thinking “I sure hope this works.” By adapting four or five simple questions, many problems can be diagnosed, and a repair formulated. Most importantly, the right questions up front can decrease overall repair time as well as eliminating return visits.
Sponsored by: HappyCo
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Turn Objections into Opportunities
Track: Customer Service
Location: Regency Ballroom
Speaker: Pam Pederson, Enthusiastically Consulting
It's not what you say; it's what you hear. Overcoming objections can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can be used to handle objections effectively. When someone objects, listen carefully to their concerns and try to understand their perspective. By listening actively, you can show that you value their input and are willing to address their concerns. This session will include practice with scenarios from several successes and a few stories that didn't go so well.
Sponsored by: FMM Construction
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Talent Management Strategies for a Rapidly Evolving Workforce
Track: Employee Retention & Recruitment
Location: Regency Ballroom
Speaker: Alexandra S. Jackiw, Hayes Gibson Property Services LLC
If we're going to be successful in recruiting and retaining good employees in the future, our talent management strategies have to change and adapt to the changing workforce. What may have worked in the past will no longer allow us to be productive in the future if we don't focus on adjusting our approach to the employee life cycle. Topics discussed in this session include:
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Data points on job postings and the "American quit rate"
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Current trends in the labor market
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Restructuring of real estate organizations
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Five cohorts of workers and what motivates each cohort
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Talent management strategies
Sponsored by: Rently
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Renters & AI: To Bot or Not to Bot
Track: Industry Trends and Technology
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Speaker: Lia Nichole Smith, ApartmentRatings and SatisFacts, Divisions of Internet Brands
With the emergence of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard capturing the attention of companies across the globe, it's no surprise that multifamily operators are just as intrigued. So, how can these innovations be used appropriately to enhance the customer experience? Opponents to artificial intelligence say these tools are shortcuts and will eventually cost real humans their jobs, while proponents say artificial intelligence is the key to efficiency, allowing employees to focus on more important tasks. While managing to overcome the challenges of virtual tours and centralized leasing, this session will answer one simple question: “To bot or not to bot?” Learn the various ways artificial intelligence can impact your business strategies along with real-world examples of how it has saved … and sabotaged … brand reputations across the globe.
Sponsored by: Signal Security
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Trade Show
Non-exhibiting suppliers are not permitted on the trade show floor.
Location: Great Hall
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Great Hall
Sponsored by: ALN Apartment Data
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone
Track: Professional Development
Location: Regency Ballroom
Speaker: Kristi Fickert, Realync
Success is often built upon a foundation of failures and missed targets. This candid session will delve into the valuable lessons that emerge from mistakes and unmet goals in the multifamily industry. Through real-life anecdotes and expert insights, explore the 10 most impactful lessons learned from setbacks, revealing how these experiences can be transformed into catalysts for growth and innovation for both you and your organization. In this session, uncover the transformative potential hidden within failures and missed goals, and learn how to turn setbacks into strategic advantages in the multifamily industry.
Learning Objectives:
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Discover the mindset shift that transforms failures into stepping stones toward achievement. Learn how reframing mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth can lead to breakthroughs that shape the future of your multifamily endeavors.
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Uncover the art of strategic pivoting when goals fall short. Explore stories of adaptability and resourcefulness, and gain insights into how nimble adjustments can often lead to unexpected and even more rewarding outcomes.
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Learn how data analysis and introspection can unveil patterns and insights from past mistakes. See how these reflections can guide future strategies, ensuring that history doesn't repeat itself and that new goals are met with greater precision.
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Uncover stories of innovation that emerged from moments of necessity. Discover how constraints and failures often fuel creative solutions, resulting in improved processes, better resident experiences, and enhanced operational efficiency.
Sponsored by: Affinity Waste Solutions
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
From Ties to Tattoos: The Evolution of "Professional"
Track: Leadership/Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Location: Grand Ballroom
Speaker: Marci French, French's Leadership Solutions, HRG Asset Management LLC
For the first time in history, we have five generations in the workplace. Organizations are reassessing, and the younger generations are challenging what "professional" really looks like. As a result, the idea of "professional" continues to evolve. What does it look like to you and your organization?
Learning Objectives:
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Identify which dress code policies are important to your organization.
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Decide when to challenge the status quo.
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Reflect on positive outcomes to evolving policies.
Sponsored by: ET&T Distributors Inc.
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Florida's Insurance Market: From Perilous to Prepared
Track: Risk Management / Executive
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Moderator: Chris Conlon, April Housing, a Blackstone Portfolio Company
Panelists: Michael Conlon, Franklin Street; Lisa Weinstein, Dominium; Daniel Ball, CRC Insurance Services Inc.
This session will feature an analysis of where property and general liability rates are trending in 2024, types of limits, percentage increases, and deductible structures that we are seeing. It will include:
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Analysis of the reinsurance market and reinsurance renewal treaties, and their effect on insurance rates for policyholders.
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Analysis of secondary perils and severe conductive storms, which have increased 23% over the past five years and are driving rates as much as national catastrophes.
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How owner operators can mitigate their exposure and manage risks more effectively with insurance providers.
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Examination of how the insurance markets have responded to recent tort reform and property insurance reform.
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Potential alternative risk financing techniques (i.e., captives and parametrics) and whether they are a fit for today's owner operators.
Sponsored by: Kings III Emergency Communications
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Make Decisions with Confidence!
Track: Professional Development
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Speaker: Pam Pederson, Enthusiastically Consulting
You may think that only people in leadership roles need to make decisions. Not true! Regardless of one’s title or capacity, we are all challenged to make decisions that can affect the outcome of our day or our career. How do you make decisions with confidence? Stories can be a powerful tool for decision-making because they provide a narrative that can help us understand complex situations and see the consequences of different choices. This session will review several scenarios and learn the best practices of good decision-making while also reflecting on those less-than-wise choices.
Sponsored by: AppFolio
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Pets Are the New Kids
Track: Property Management
Location: Regency Ballroom
Moderator: Victoria Cowart, PetScreening
Panelists: Ryan R. McCain, Barfield McCain Ayoub PA; Donna Osterholz, Gallery Residential; Bonnie Smetzer, Asset Living
“Pets are the new kids, and plants are the new pets.” Today’s renters consider their pets vital members of their families, and operators must respond accordingly. In this session, industry experts will offer best practices for implementing pet-inclusive policies and will detail their potential financial impact. They’ll also explore how to handle assistance animal accommodation requests and best manage pet- and animal-related risks. In addition, they’ll detail the latest legal news surrounding our four-legged friends — from both the opportunity and the liability perspectives.
Learning Objectives:
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Define best practices for evaluating revisions to existing pet policies and implementing pet-inclusive policies.
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List the potential financial benefits of pet-inclusive policies.
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Describe the risks associated with pets and assistance animals, as well as the current legal landscape surrounding them.
Sponsored by: Atlantic Southern Paving & Sealcoating
3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Afternoon Refreshment Break
Location: Atlantic/ Regency Foyer
Sponsored by: ResMan
3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
First Impressions: The Science Behind Successful Move-Ins
Track: Customer Service
Location: Regency Ballroom
Moderator: Lucas Bourgeois, Updater
Panelists: Stephanie Anderson, Grace Hill & Kingsley Surveys; Devin Lusk, American Landmark Apartments
Delve into the nuances of first impressions and discover how the initial "hello" can directly impact a resident’s likelihood to renew. This session dives into the psychology of first impressions and reveals pivotal data demonstrating how move-in satisfaction equates to long-term resident loyalty. Engage in interactive play with a live Family Feud-inspired game, learn actionable strategies for fostering the perfect warm welcome, and leave with an in-depth action plan to build your own unforgettable move-in experience. If you're ready to decrease turnover, increase satisfaction, and create communities residents are proud to call home, this is your blueprint for success.
Learning Objectives:
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Analyze real-world data linking move-in satisfaction with long-term resident retention.
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Gain insights for strategic planning.
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Define and be prepared to execute a seamless and — dare we say — delightful move-in.
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Formulate a personalized action plan to improve on-site team efficiency and reduce turnover.
Sponsored by: Florida Suppliers Council
3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Employees First, Customers Second: Say What?
Track: Property Management
Location: Atlantic Ballroom 1 & 2
Moderator: Pat Patterson, PetScreening
Panelists: Adanise Cross, Bozzuto Management; Matt Hoch, Greystar; and Leslie Mathis, Woodfield Development
In the multifamily housing industry, the customer experience is paramount. But who is really the customer: the resident, the employee, or the real estate owner? Successful companies choose all three, to ensure frictionless processes are a top priority with every group they touch. But where do we start? Believe it or not, it starts with putting your employees first, so then they will be motivated to provide the best customer experience for applicants, residents, and investors. This presentation will outline practical, tried-and-true strategies for prioritizing and addressing employee needs, so they develop into customer enthusiasts. There will be a large focus on the resident experience to ensure that your technology solutions and vendor operations do not create additional points of friction for applicants and residents.
Learning Objectives:
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Understand the principle of “employees first, customers second” and its vital importance to the multifamily housing industry.
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Identify strategies that get us back to the basics of property operations, and describe how to reinvent those basics.
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Learn how to map your customer journey to ensure the highest quality of applicant and resident touch points.
Sponsored by: HelloSpoke
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Leadership Lyceum Reception | Invitation Only
Location: 212 / 213 Conference Rooms (South Tower, Second Floor)
Celebrate our 2024 graduating class and those who have blazed the trail before them! This event is by invitation-only and open to past and present FAA Leadership Lyceum graduates.
Sponsored by: PotholeRepair.com
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception
Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Closing Celebration Dinner
Location: Grand Ballroom
Join your peers, colleagues, and new connections as we wrap another successful conference. The Closing Celebration Dinner will feature our affiliate Volunteers of the Year, 2023 Leadership Lyceum Graduating Class, APAC Major Contributors, and live entertainment. We will also recognize outgoing and incoming APAC and FAA leadership. NOTE: Ticket will be required for entry.
Sponsored by: Domuso
10:00pm - Midnight
Open for Supplier Events
