The Southwest is the setting for the Community Association Institute's (CAI's) 50th National Conference & Exposition, which will be held May 3 - 5, 2001, at the Westin LaPaloma in Tucson. The conference brings together community association managers, board members, and associated professionals in a dynamic exchange for knowledge building and networking.
CAI's 50th National Conference is the premier opportunity to learn what's on the horizon in leading and managing communities. Attendees will explore the topics that face communities across the country, learn about innovative business practices that can enhance leadership, and participate in a variety of new programming to update skills. The conference features a special track for large-scale community managers, and opportunities to discuss legal and management issues of the day. Finally, the conference offers networking opportunities that add to participants' knowledge of how to responsibly lead and foster vibrant, harmonious communities.
Pre-conference events include a variety of Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) courses, including the M-100 "The Essentials of Community Association Management," M-201 "Facilities Management," M-330 "Advanced Insurance and Risk Management," M-400 "Contemporary Issues in Community Association Management," among others.
The Conference will open with a keynote presentation by Dr. Rick Brinkman, speaking about "Creating an Innovative Workplace." Dr. Brinkman compares American culture to others in terms of our ability to work with and create change. His review of how to use change to affect systems, meetings, and training reveals practical ways to make innovation pay off for a community. The event will close with a presentation titled "Tune Up Your Life," by LaDonna Gatlin, Grammy award-winning sister of country music's famous Gatlin Brothers.
The Conference Exhibition will present new solutions, products and services in a marketplace featuring products such as computerized management software, banking services, insurance, satellite dishes, legal services, reserve study providers, security systems/services, lighting fixtures, and landscaping services.
Special programming for homeowners includes the first section of CAI's award-winning course for homeowners, "A Basic Course for Community Association Leaders," which offers an overview of common interest communities, including industry facts and legal information, and the roles of community officers and professional staff.
Educational programming for managers, board members, and professionals will cover numerous topics, including, among many:—Megan's Law: What You Need to Know—Insuring Active Adult Communities—The Impact of Telecommunications on Where We Live—Rethinking Recreation in Community Associations—Legislative & Regulatory Issues Briefing—How to Hold Productive Meetings—Group Dynamics and Persuasion to Promote Active Community Participation—Creative Marketing for Your Community Programs—Fraud & Embezzlement Protection—ADA: Individual Rights & Community Responsibility—Best Practices Panel in Conflict Resolution—Transitioning a Community to a Professional Management Company—Skill Building for Managers: Learning From the Pros and Each Other—Navigating Your Community Through a Construction Defect Claim—ShopTalk Sessions for Attorneys, Bankers, Accountants, Reserve Professionals, and Large-Scale Managers
Special social events will include an Old West Recruiter Club Party for those who recruit three new members by April 13, 2001, a Golf Tournament at the 18-hole Sun City Vistoso Golf Course, a Managers' Cocktail Reception for association managers, a reception exclusively for PCAM® members, and the general Conference Reception and dinner for all attendees.
The setting for the Conference is the Westin LaPaloma, which is situated against a backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Sonora Desert. The resort features a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and twelve championship tennis courts. The Tucson area itself is a perfect Southwest setting, known for its average of 350 sunny days per year…more than any other US city. Area attractions include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Monument, the downtown historic districts, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, International Wildlife Museum, Reid Park Zoo, and Pima Air & Space Museum.
Registration rates for the CAI Conference—for those who register during the special $50 off discount period until April 13—are $575 Member, $475 Homeowner Member and First Time Attendee, $705 Non-member, Daily: $300/340 Member/Non-member. Special room rates of $170 single/double per night have been established at The Westin LaPaloma for CAI conference attendees. For reservations, contact the hotel at 520-742-6000 and identify yourself as a CAI attendee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information about attending the conference, contact Holly Carson at 703-548-8600, extension 330. For information about exhibiting at the conference, please contact Chris Galione at 703-548-8600, extension 254.
# # #
The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to educate and represent the nation's 231,000 community associations—condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and the professionals who provide products and services to them.