Corporate Housing News

I didn’t set out in my career thinking volunteering would become one of the most impactful drivers of my professional growth, but looking back, it’s clear my involvement with the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) has shaped not only my career, but also my perspective on our industry.

I was fortunate to begin my corporate housing career at a company deeply connected to CHPA. Leadership didn’t just support the organization; they believed in it. One owner had served as Board Chair, and another was actively working through the Executive Committee. Their commitment made it clear early on that CHPA wasn’t just an association, but a catalyst for growth.

Each year, our team attended the annual conference, Connect, and each year, one additional employee was invited to join. I was lucky to be included in that rotation. From my first experience, I saw the value immediately. The connections, education and exchange of ideas made it evident that CHPA provided a return on investment extending far beyond the event itself.

In fact, one of our most meaningful business wins came directly from a CHPA connection. We became the Washington, DC preferred supplier for a national provider, eventually celebrating their 100th lease with us. That moment reinforced something important: relationships built through CHPA translate into real business impact.

As I continued to grow in my career, I pursued my Certified Corporate Housing Professional (CCHP) designation. It was a challenging and rewarding milestone that deepened my industry knowledge and confidence. I still remember the excitement of passing the exam. It was more than a credential; it was a personal achievement which reinforced my commitment to this field.

Over time, my engagement shifted. While I remained active locally, attending industry lunches and maintaining strong relationships, I stepped away from the broader CHPA community for a period. Like many people in our industry, I stayed busy building my business and leaning into relationships closest to me.

Then came an unexpected opportunity.

In 2020, I was asked to speak on a panel at Connect in Austin. The topic, OTAs and aggregators, was one I knew, but stepping on stage was a different kind of challenge. I remember the nerves vividly. Sitting alongside respected industry leaders, I questioned whether I belonged there.

But something changed in that moment.

The session was well attended, well received and personally transformative. It reminded me growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone, and CHPA creates those opportunities.

After that experience, I knew I wanted to be more involved.

In 2021, I began volunteering, joining three task forces: education, finance and conference. It didn’t take long to find where I connected most—the conference work group . Collaborating with a passionate group of volunteers to bring Connect to life was incredibly rewarding, especially as our industry began to rebound.

That involvement led to one of the most meaningful opportunities of my career: serving as Co-Chair for Connect24 in Tucson. It was a year of hard work, collaboration and shared purpose. We poured everything into that event, and in return, I gained deeper relationships, broader perspective and a renewed sense of purpose within our industry.

Today, I have the privilege of serving on the CHPA Board of Directors and stepping into a new term on the Executive Committee. It’s an honor to help shape the future of an organization that has given me so much.

But the real takeaway isn’t about titles or positions; it’s about what happens when you choose to engage.

Through CHPA, I’ve gained exposure to new ideas, built lasting relationships and created opportunities for both my business and others. I’ve learned that success in our industry is driven not just by what you know, but by who you connect with and how you show up.

Volunteering accelerates all of it.

It puts you in the room.
It gives you a voice.
It challenges you to grow.

And most importantly, it connects you with people who will influence your career in ways you can’t predict.

If you’re considering getting involved, my advice is simple: do it.

Raise your hand. Join a task force. Attend the conference. Start somewhere.

Because the more you put into CHPA, the more you’ll get out of it. and the relationships you build along the way will be the most valuable return of all.