2008 Housing Management Conference Wrap-Up and Handouts

For session handouts and pictures, click here.

The 2008 Housing Management Conference was held Tuesday, April 29, through Thursday, May 1, at the Galt House Hotel & Suites in Louisville and was sponsored by the Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) and Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC).  When asked about their experience this year, one conference attendee said, “In my over 20 years in this industry, [this conference] was one of the best that I have attended!”   

Others wrote:

“I really enjoyed my three days here!  You can never get enough learning and being here helps me to improve my skills and knowledge to do a better job to benefit others.”

“The topics were insightful and the speakers were all proven professionals with a knack for speaking in an easily understandable way.”

“It was all great fun.”

“It was a great experience and I hope to be back next year!”

The theme of the 2008 Housing Management Conference was “Kentucky’s Triple Crown” and featured two days of sessions presented by nationally known speakers from within the housing industry.  This year’s conference brought a total of 623 industry personnel from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee.

The conference kicked off on Tuesday with a very fitting rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home” and the “Call to the Post” by professional bugler, Angela Bartley.  The opening presentation by Kentucky’s own Patricia Cooksey, who is a female jockey, was uplifting and encouraging for all.  She shared her top picks for the 2008 Kentucky Derby and helped start the sessions on a positive note.  Tuesday breakout sessions included topics on breaking cultural barriers, presented by Glenn Rodriguez, Ph.D., of McKendree University, as well as drug awareness information presented by the Lexington Division of Police.  A motivational presentation, “Winning the Trifecta,” was given by Michael Gatton from Hurstbourne Christian Church in Louisville.  Other sessions featured on Tuesday were Occupancy, Basics and Advanced, presented by Carson Hayes; Kentucky Housing Updates; Fair Housing; Service Coordinators’ Mental Health 101; Maintenance—Heating and Air Conditioning; and Legal.  

Wednesday sessions included full day tracks for family, elderly, maintenance and tax credit housing communities.  Owner/Agents and Service Coordinators also had a full day of educational sessions.  Toni Blake was welcomed back for the family track along with Curt Hayes.  The service coordinator track featured Dr. Benjamin Rigor, M.D., L.L.D., of the University of Louisville.  The maintenance track attendees were treated to an afternoon at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Bat Factory.

Thursday’s closing session featured John “Wags” Wagner.  John had attendees on their feet to shake off the pressures of life and reminded everyone that acceptance of who they are along with laughter can go a long way in helping to carry the burdens of everyday life. In dealing with the pressures of this industry, he reminded the audience of what a remarkable job they do and entrusted them to continue to reflect upon this each day as they help those within the housing communities. 

Approximately 300 attendees experienced the exhibits and movie at the Kentucky Derby Museum and enjoyed a tour of the Churchill Downs paddock area on Tuesday evening.  Wednesday’s evening activities included an afternoon at the races with the annual HUD/KHC challenge.  After three intense races, the photo finish determined that KHC won by a nose!  Kentucky Housing took home the 2008 trophy with HUD vowing to come back ready for revenge in 2009.  The evening wrapped up with attendees having the opportunity to enjoy the local Derby festivities. 

This year’s sponsored charitable organization was the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) program (www.ckrh.org).  The amount raised for CKRH totaled $12,679!  Over $600 of this was raised through bets at the HUD/KHC challenge.  Patricia Cooksey donated $2,500 in lieu of a speaking fee.  The silent auction collected $4,269; $1,078 came from the Derby hat contest; and over $3,500 came from donations given by Cardinal Management Company, Franklin Asset Management Company, Kentucky Housing Corporation and many others.  These generous donations will help the organization continue its programs which are designed to enrich the community by improving the quality of life and health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with horses.  On behalf of SAHMA, Kentucky Housing and the entire conference committee, thanks to everyone who had a part in helping make the conference a huge success.

Derby Hat Contest results were as follows:

Win – Tammy Thomas, Winterwood, Inc.

Place – Jan Howard, Fairington of Lexington

Show – Tim Kutz, Gene Glick Co.

For your convenience, we have included session handouts below from those we received copies of.  Feel free to print any you would like to utilize. 

During the closing session, the 2008 award recipients were called to the winner’s circle.  The following is a list of the nominations and award winners that were recognized at the 2008 conference.  Congratulations to everyone and thank you for your continued commitment to the housing communities you represent!

If you did not get the opportunity to complete and return a copy of the evaluation sheet, please take a moment to do so.  Your feedback is important and helps the committee each year to make the conference the best it can be.  You can complete the form and submit it electronically to Mendy DeBorde.

Thank you to each and every attendee who was present at conference.  You do an outstanding job and you provide a great service for those seeking affordable housing within your communities.  If you were unable to attend the 2008 conference we hope you will have the opportunity to join us next year!

Session Handouts and Pictures

For pictures from the conference, click here.

Tuesday, April 29

All handouts are in PDF.

• Fair Housing:  Basics       
• Kentucky Housing Updates 

 Wednesday, April 30

• Family:  Verifications  
• Tax Credits:  Marketing Tax Credit Properties  
• Elderly:  Alzheimer’s Awareness  
• Family:  Customer Service, The Power of NICE  
• Family:  Negotiations and Diplomacy – The Art of Letting Other People Have Your Way  
• Family: Value Selling for Total Property Success  
• Tax Credits:  8823 Guide