By: Kristin Pine, NEAHMA President, Peabody Properties, Inc.
Once again, NEAHMA finished out the 2014 year with much success and much to celebrate. With close to 500 attendees and 66 vendor booths at the 26th Annual NEAHMA Fall Conference, NEAHMA celebrated its best and brightest with 12 diverse workshops, a swearing-in ceremony for new designees, and a top-notch awards presentation highlighting the special achievements of our industry’s top professionals on October 14th at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood, MA. The day started out with a lively registration period in the morning, followed by a Welcome Speech from Kris Cook (NAHMA’s Executive Director), our Annual Business Meeting Luncheon, Agency and Vendor Awards, filmed interviews with seasoned professionals provided by the New England Real Estate Journal (NEREJ), as well as the first of many workshops, out of three sessions, slated throughout the day. Attendees earned CEUs and gained valuable information on a variety of topics showcasing this year’s conference theme on how the secret to our success is through “teamwork” at every level and in all aspects of our business. Several of our property management professionals in attendance made the most out of their experience, by asking questions, networking with others, and taking home resource materials for review.
Special thanks to all of our board members, volunteers, vendor members and sponsors. Without their assistance and “teamwork”, the Conference’s level of success would not have been possible.
This year’s Conference sponsors were:
GOLD SPONSORS
Belfor
Dauby, O’ Connor & Zaleski, LLC.
Flynn Law Group
Institute for Environmental Education (IEE)
Law Offices of Catherine F. Downing & Associates
MRI Software
Pro-Care
Roto-Rooter
Service Master
Sunshine Services/Eco-Clean Systems
Watch All
SILVER SPONSORS
Buyers Access
CoreLogic
Norfolk Hardware
Sherwin Williams
U.S Pavement
SPECIAL RECOGNITION SPONSORS
ARS Restoration Specialists-Tote Bag Sponsor
Dauby, O’ Connor & Zaleski, LLC.-Notebook Sponsor
Ecologic Entomology – Name Badge Sponsor
NAVIGATE Affordable Housing Partners – Luncheon Sponsor
Vesta Corporation – Breakfast Sponsor
Our workshops hosted some of the best local talent in the region, with topics ranging from Maximizing Operational Efficiency through a Green Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) to Security Through Community Resources, from Interviewing and Communication Techniques to How to Get More Done with Less Stress to name a few, along with our perennial favorites: the Regional Agency Panel and the Hot Topics in Housing Law Panel. This year’s Legal Panel featured legal experts representing MA, RI and CT, as well as experts in Fair Housing and Resident Services. We even had a sitting Housing Court Judge! Special thanks to the Honorable Robert G. Field, Associate Justice, Housing Court Department, Western Division. Lastly, Day Two of the Conference was jam-packed with information with our full-day workshops on Fair Housing (FHC course), REAC and Compliance for LIHTC Sites. New information, new knowledge, new tools of the trade learned and earned that can now be put to good and immediate use back at our communities.
A special “thank you” to Heather Staggs who saved the day! Heather, who is experienced on both sides of the aisle, and who has more than 20 years of property management experience with a deep knowledge of the multifamily programs and regulations for both the HUD-assisted and tax credit programs, was a life-saver who took on two of our workshop slots at a moment’s notice. Due to a cancelled flight, another trainer could not make it into Boston in time to train on the two workshops. Heather immediately volunteered to do an impromptu training session (twice) for Documenting Resident Infractions, where workshop participants had the opportunity to learn how to properly document resident files for different types of resident infractions, including resident harassment, bullying, unauthorized residents, damages found during inspections, and non-payment issues. Participants learned what to say and what not to say when documenting files, and learned which types of information and documentation really makes the difference to a judge when faced with a court appearance and/or eviction. Rising to the occasion, Heather personified the meaning of “teamwork” for our Conference… Thank you!
In closing, I am proud to report that our biggest initiatives for 2014 were proudly promoted and supported greatly at this annual event — a wonderful way to finish my first year as President. NEAHMA encourages its members and companies to continually support training, whether it be online or instructor-led. NEAHMA and our members continually support the Communities of Quality (COQ) Program, as well as supporting NAHMA’s nationally-recognized and HUD-endorsed industry designations (NAHP, NAHP-e,NAHMS, NAHMT and CGPM). Congratulations to the 33 designees that were sworn in at the Fall Conference, and we challenge you and your company to join in on the effort for 2015. New swearings-in will take place again at the Gillette event on May 19th at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, as well as at the 2015 Annual Fall Conference on October 20th & 21st at Lombardo’s in Randolph, MA. It’s a new year, and I challenge you and all of our member companies in 2015 to aim for the finish line and earn your designations. Are you up for the challenge?
Congratulations to all the 2014 Award Recipients!
Presented at the 26th Annual Conference on October 14, 2014, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood, MA.
