2020 Annual Conference

Network with fellow CHPA Members in your region or who share similar interests. Held before the opening session, you’ll discover what’s happening in the industry, within CHPA and in your own backyard. Discuss hot topics in your market, expand your contacts and gain insight into any potential regulations or changes that may impact your company. This is also where local Network Connection events get planned and discussed.

Kick off the 2020 Conference with energy, enthusiasm and laughs. Let’s start the week off right as we talk about our purpose, industry and what to expect during the next three days! Our emcee for conference, Dena Blizzard is One Funny Mother, know for being the “Target mom” from her Back to School Rant (150 Million views) and Chardonnay Go (24 Million views) viral videos. She is a comedian and mother of three who’s written and starred in her Off-Broadway show, created “Chardonnay Go, The Board Game for Wine Lovers, Moms and Other Shameless People” and was a LIVE with Kelly Top 5 Co-Host Winner. Come enjoy this fun event before networking at our opening reception.

Join the Small Staff SFG for a discussion over breakfast. This group represents member companies who typically manage a small staff and whose employees, therefore, are responsible for all areas of the company’s operations. 

A common challenge facing executives is helping their employees bring more energy to work and not only embrace change – and see it as an opportunity to lead. Dan Thurmon, president of Motivation Works, believes the reason that people struggle with change is that they compartmentalize their life to keep everything in balance. But what if we lived Off Balance on Purpose? What if instead of resisting uncertainty, we leaned into it? And what if rather than bringing our “work-self” to the office, we brought 100% of who we are? Join us for this interactive keynote and leave with a multi-dimensional view of success that incorporates quality health, strong relationships, and meaningful contributions; all while leaning into uncertainty with authority and confidence.

Speaker: Dan Thurmon, Motivation Works, Inc.

Legislation and regulations aimed at the corporate housing industry – directly or indirectly – have intensified. Confusion in the alternate accommodations space continues to grow, leaving legislators to introduce regulations that can negatively impact the industry. Engage in this strategic discussion on how new legislation can impact your company’s ability to operate in your markets. Update yourself from lessons learned, while understanding the education and advocacy resources available to help protect the industry and your business. Hear first-hand from this experienced panel about the challenges and successes for the industry.

Experts say consumers will make 95 percent of purchase online by 2040, and that number is already at 60 percent. So, how can you leverage that to build a digital marketing strategy to generate online leads for your company? In this session, industry marketing professionals Robin Spindel of Furnished Quarters and Augustus Piazza of Oakwood Worldwide will share best practices for search engine optimization (SEO), content generation, digital advertising strategy., websites and landing pages, email, and social media to promote your business.

Speakers: Robin Spindel, Furnished Quarters; Augustus Piazza, Oakwood Worldwide

In this session, Fred Parrish, co-author of The E-Myth CFO: Why Most Small Businesses Run Out of Money and What to Do About It and the creator of The Profit Beacon software, addresses how to run a financially successful business. Learn how to change your thinking about the leverage of a dollar and understand how to view every dollar as an investment instead of a cost. By understanding where you are as a company and how to operate within your set of dynamics, you can ensure your company thrives instead of just survives.

Speaker: Fred Parrish, The Profit Experts 

How far can corporate housing go to incorporate technology into the guest experience? Has the “Alexa, open the door” point been reached? Using technology to provide superior service can be the advantage your company is looking for, but for each advancement in technology, there are challenges that must be addressed. Join us to explore today’s technology opportunities and discuss practical implementation while understanding possible limitations. We’ll look at operational technology that may help automate and/or speed up your workflows, benchmark similar industries and stay connected as a company and to guests.

Speakers: Sarah DiDavide, CCHP, Suite Home Chicago; Jim Drass, CCHP, Corporate Suites Network, LLC; Gabriel Wacker, CCHP, Transitions Group

Want to know where the industry is heading, and what your company can do today in order to be competitive 5, 10 or 15 years in the future? Join CHPA’s futurist, Brian David Johnson, for our interactive virtual futurist lounge. This is your chance to take a deep dive into trends impacting our industry and how you can stay at the forefront, so bring your questions!

Speaker: Brian David Johnson, CHPA’s Futurist

RSVP required; limited to one executive per member company.

What market are you playing in? How large is the corporate housing market versus others? Why is corporate housing a benefit and a challenge? Why is venture capital interested in these companies? These issues – and more – discussed and debated by thought leaders in the industry.

Speakers: Lee Curtis, CCHP, RESIDE Worldwide; Henry Luebbert, Synergy Global Housing; Eric Broughton, Expedia Group; Ross Saario, Domicile; Erik Eccles, Airbnb

Corporate housing is becoming increasingly sophisticated when it comes to demand management and sourcing platforms. What are the most relevant aggregators and the best strategies to get the most profitable bookings?

Speakers: Gavan James, CCHP, Nomad Corporate Housing; Darin Karp, CCHP, ReloQuest Inc.; Damon Gacicia, Urbandoor; Jennifer Breen, CCHP, Suite Home; Tom Curcio, CCHP, National Corporate Housing

Please note, because this session has limited seating, it is being offered twice during the conference.

Designed to uncover key social information about yourself and others, True Colors is a tool that fosters an environment of understanding and collaboration. Each color represents a different primary personality type, and all four lay the foundation of True Colors’ fun and insightful personality-identification system. The True Colors system takes the most important concepts and distills them into a user-friendly, fun, and—most important—practical tool.

Speaker: Myrla Marshall, GMS-T, Graebel

Do you know how to utilize your far-reaching network on LinkedIn for prospecting business? This workshop will provide the tools needed to identify prospects in your LinkedIn network, make the connection, start the conversation and convert into a new client.

Please note, because this session has limited seating, it is being offered twice during the conference.

Designed to uncover key social information about yourself and others, True Colors is a tool that fosters an environment of understanding and collaboration. Each color represents a different primary personality type, and all four lay the foundation of True Colors’ fun and insightful personality-identification system. The True Colors system takes the most important concepts and distills them into a user-friendly, fun, and—most important—practical tool.

Speaker: Myrla Marshall, GMS-T, Graebel

Would you like to see a 250 percent increase in qualified leads, an 8260 percent increase in referral traffic and increases in brand engagement? By changing the approach to their sales funnel and adopting a flywheel inbound marketing model, Compass Furnished Accommodations did just that and cultivated an authentic group of prospects and loyalists in six months. Come hear how they were able to achieve these staggering successes!

Speaker: Jill Lamb, Compass Furnished Apartments

What do your clients really want and need from their corporate housing provider? Hear firsthand what global mobility executives at some of the largest companies really expect. Excellent service and housing are the minimum it takes to earn and keep clients, but what should you be doing to add value?

Speakers: Julie Coleman, CRP, GMS, Shell Oil Company; Lauren Graham Richards, CRP, GMS, Dell Computers; Rebecca Stephens, CRP, GMS, Indeed

If you’re in the corporate housing industry, you’re in the business of guest experience. The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center principles provide an overview of the service principles that lead to authentic connections and unveil the importance of psychology in service. Learn how to anticipate customer needs through their service journey, including how to stay-in-the-moment to increase perception, customer relationship management best practices, and techniques to surprise and delight.

Want to know where the industry is heading, and what your company can do today in order to be competitive 5, 10 or 15 years in the future? Join CHPA’s futurist, Brian David Johnson, for our interactive virtual futurist lounge. This is your chance to take a deep dive into trends impacting our industry and how you can stay at the forefront, so bring your questions!

The relocation industry is constantly evolving, and customer expectations are always rising. No matter your role, how can you continuously improve and stay a step ahead? A relentless focus on operational excellence is one powerful way to deliver exceptional experiences by providing great customer service, anticipating and solving problems, and tapping the right data and people-first technology to make smarter decisions. In this session, Myrla Marshall, senior vice president of data governance for Graebel Companies, will share industry best practices, trends and ideas for temporary housing professionals, relocation management companies and other providers to measurably meet and exceed transferee expectations and work together to keep the world mobilized.

Speaker: Myrla Marshall, GMS-T, Graebel

Wrap up this year’s conference with a dynamic and fun workshop in the Live Music Capital of the World. Collaborating with your group, you will brainstorm, jam and compose plans and solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities corporate housing providers face every day. Rock your sales revenues with strategies and techniques that will improve the quality of your leads, make your presentations stand out and increase your closing ratios. Whether you’re a sales soloist, bandleader or harmonizing in a sales team, walk off this stage with the ability to hit the top of your sales charts! Led by enthusiastic band managers, you will laugh, learn, share and battle other bands. You may even win some prizes. Most importantly, you will leave with great ideas from all the bands in the workshop. 

Speakers: Nicolette Donald, CCHP, P.R.O.S Corporate Housing; Tammy Jackson, AFR Furniture Rental

Wrap up this year’s conference with a dynamic and fun workshop in the Live Music Capital of the World. Collaborating with your group, you will brainstorm, jam and compose plans and solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities corporate housing providers face every day. Operations can be a challenge no matter where you are in the country. It is the root of any corporate housing business – the place where hard-working people do the real, and sometimes dirty jobs, that keep things running smoothly and customers happy. Go backstage to see how you can make your logistics, communications, inventory and financial management run smoother, faster, cheaper and fit as a fiddle. Led by enthusiastic band managers, you will laugh, learn, share and battle other bands. You may even win some prizes. Most importantly, you will leave with great ideas from all the bands in the workshop. 

Speaker: Mark Strumwasser, CCHP, Sunshine Rentals, Ryn Jarrett, CCHP, Travelers Haven

Wrap up this year’s conference with a dynamic and fun workshop in the Live Music Capital of the World. Collaborating with your group, you will brainstorm, jam and compose plans and solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities corporate housing providers face every day. Marketing is all about making your brand and message pop! Social media, blogs, newsletters, print, sponsorships… there are so many platforms and channels from which to choose. Let’s explore how they work and perform so you can compose the marketing mix and strategies that will make your message sing. Led by enthusiastic band managers, you will laugh, learn, share and battle other bands. You may even win some prizes. Most importantly, you will leave with great ideas from all the bands in the workshop. 

Speakers: Gary LeFeuvre, Nest Furnished Living Solutions, Robin Spindel, Furnished Quarters

Celebrate the conclusion of CHPA 2020 by unplugging at our closing industry event at Austin’s iconic Speakeasy, located just a few blocks from our host hotel. Enjoy local food, beverage and entertainment while you unwind with your fellow CHPA attendees. (Separate ticket required.)