Bonnie Smetzer, CPM, has been appointed to the Department of Business & Professional Regulations Hotel & Restaurant Advisory Council. Late last month, Smetzer, executive vice president at Asset Living accepted DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin's invitation to a four year term on the council. The council oversees rulemaking and regulation of public establishments such as multifamily communities, hotels, and restaurants. Smetzer is an FAA Hall of Fame recipient, past president of FAA and the Space Coast Apartment Association and Region IX delegate to the National Apartment Association (NAA) Board of Directors. She has held numerous volunteer and leadership positions with FAA, NAA, and SCAA.

Amanda White has been promoted to vice president of government relations and research. Since joining FAA in 2018, White has directed several notable research studies into housing issues, as well as expanding FAA’s government affairs role and member participation in the Apartment Political Action Committee (APAC). Chip Tatum, executive vice president, said White’s new position “has been crafted to reflect this association's commitment to research, outreach, and advancement of the apartment industry.” She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., and a master’s in governmental studies from Johns Hopkins University. 

Rona Long has been promoted to director of association resources. Long joined FAA in 2008 and her responsibilities over the years have included lease program administrator, bookkeeper, database administrator, and member services. Long recently completed her qualified association specialist certificate through the Florida Society of Association Executives. During her tenure FAA member participation in the NAA Click & Lease has grown exponentially, to nearly 80%, thanks in large part to her efforts. Chip Tatum, executive vice president, said “In her new role, she will participate in more of FAA's affiliate engagement efforts, take on more oversight of the navigation and promotion of the Click & Lease, and of course those famous ‘other duties as assigned.’"

LaTanya Newell has joined the Florida Apartment Association team as events manager. A certified meetings professional (CMP), she has more than 25 years of experience in the meetings and events industry, including planning and executing on-site group events, such as conferences, trade shows, meetings, and golf outings. She has a bachelor's degree in business, management, and marketing from Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Ill.  

As of January 1, 2023 all statutory requirements associated with Miya's Law are in effect. While the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has adopted rule language to define certain terms used throughout the new law, other rule language is not yet finalized. Apartment owners and operators should anticipate that DBPR will soon begin verifying proof of compliance with the new requirements. Additional information is available on the FAA website. (You will need to be logged in as an FAA member to view the members-only blog post.) In addition, FAA plans to host an informational webinar after compliance guidelines are finalized, likely in February or March. Read more.

The FAA Legislative Conference has been rebranded as of 2023 to Impact, Powered by FAA, and registration is now open.  This opportunity to make your voice heard in Tallahassee will take place February 21-22, at the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol. After you register you will receive hotel information. If you require a paper registration form, or if you have questions, cancellations, or substitutions, email Rona Long at [email protected].

Click here for a list of FAA's recent media mentions. Note: You may need to log in as a member to view some articles.

Orange County commissioners are considering proposed policy changes that could help multifamily development projects progress more quickly, Growth Spotter reports. Government regulations increase the time and money required to deliver affordable apartments to market, the report notes, citing FAA research:

"With all of the government oversight and push-back from residents who oppose new apartment construction — which further delays the process — developers in the Sunshine State are left waiting as long as two years in many cases for the city or county to finally hand over building permits, according to the Florida Apartment Association. That slog costs developers between $1.5 and $4 million in soft costs, the association estimates." Read more from Growth Spotter.

Meet Ronda Puryear, CAM, CPM, 2023 National Apartment Association Chair of the Board. Read more.

NAA continues to ensure the unique voice of the rental housing industry is heard in news stories across the country. Read more.

The Sponsorship Opportunities and Exhibitor Prospectus is available for Inspire, Powered by FAA, the 2023 FAA Annual Conference & Trade Show, which will take place October 11-13, 2023, at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. The deadline to increase your presence at Inspire, Powered by FAA, as a medal-level sponsor is Friday, February 24, 2023. Send your commitment letter to [email protected].  View the 2023 Prospectus.

The next meeting of the FAA Florida Suppliers Council will be on Monday, February 20, 4:30-6 p.m., in Cascades meeting rooms at the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol (801 South Gadsden Street, Tallahassee). You may register for the FSC meeting when you register for Impact, Powered by FAA (see details above). If you wish to only register for the FSC meeting, email [email protected]. View the meeting agenda.

FAA offers opportunities to reach prospects at events throughout the year, including a new advertising opportunity now available on the supplier directory. Learn more.

 Future Conferences

FAA is a federation of nine local affiliates, representing more than 900,000 apartment homes in Florida. All community, management company, and supplier members in good standing of a local affiliate are automatically members of FAA and NAA.