Conference Education Sessions

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EDUCATION SESSIONS

Tuesday, 5/18/27

Conference Opening/General Session Keynote l 8:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Becoming Awesome: Building a Champion Mindset  l  Cam Awesome

Step into the ring with U.S. boxing champion Cam Awesome for a high-energy keynote filled with humor, heart, and powerful lessons on resilience and success. From overcoming bullying to becoming a world-class athlete, Cam shares how failure can become fuel and challenges can become opportunities. Through his Championship Mindset approach, attendees will learn how to build resilience, embrace setbacks, set bold goals, and develop the discipline needed to achieve extraordinary results.

Education Breakout Sessions l 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

It's Called Preventative Maintenance, NOT Pretendative Maintenance.  l  Mark Sharp

Most preventative maintenance programs aren't truly preventative—they're simply reactive tasks disguised as strategy. In this practical session, you'll learn how to build a simple, repeatable maintenance program that prevents failures before they happen. Discover proven strategies to reduce emergency work orders, improve resident satisfaction, decrease technician burnout, and create a culture of continuous improvement. Leave with actionable tools you can implement immediately.

The AI Advantage for Multifamily: Tools You Can Use Tomorrow  l  Rider Harris

AI isn't the future—it's a practical tool you can start using today. In this interactive session, Rider Harris demonstrates real-world AI applications designed specifically for multifamily professionals. Learn how to draft resident communications, triage maintenance requests, summarize lease documents, create compelling marketing content, and more—all in a fraction of the time. No technical experience required. You'll leave with practical workflows and AI tools you can begin using the very next day.

Keep the Hive Alive – Building High-Performing Teams Through Personal Accountability  l  Dr. Debbie Phillips

Strong teams don't happen by accident—they're built through personal accountability. Learn how to create a culture where employees take ownership, think independently, and work together to achieve exceptional results. Dr. Debbie Phillips shares practical coaching strategies that empower team members, strengthen workplace culture, and inspire teams to consistently exceed organizational goals.

Building Confidence, Creating Connection, Delivery Dynamic Experiences l Dana Duckworth

Confident leasing professionals create unforgettable prospect experiences—and better leasing results. This high-energy session equips attendees with advanced sales psychology, story-driven communication techniques, and proven closing strategies like SPIN and Sandler. Discover how to build genuine connections, increase confidence, and turn more prospects into residents through memorable, high-impact interactions.

Education Breakout Sessions l 11:35 AM - 12:35 PM

How to Have Tough Conversations (Without Making Things Worse)  l  Rommel Anacan

Difficult conversations are unavoidable—but they don't have to damage relationships. Whether you're addressing performance issues, giving honest feedback, resolving conflict, or speaking up to leadership, this practical session will help you approach challenging conversations with confidence and compassion. Using Rommel Anacan's Compassionate Confrontation Pathway™, you'll learn a proven framework for navigating tough discussions, strengthening trust, and achieving better outcomes for everyone involved.

Trust, Technology, and Transparency: Ethical Fraud Detection Through a Fair Housing Lens  l  Monica Frazier

As fraud tactics evolve, leasing professionals must balance technology with sound judgment and fair housing compliance. This session explores how AI-powered screening tools work, where bias and inconsistency can emerge, and why human decision-making remains essential. Through real-world fraud scenarios and fair housing examples, you'll gain practical strategies to identify fraud ethically, apply policies consistently, protect your communities, and build trust throughout the leasing process.

The Leadership Gap: What Your Team Won't Tell You  l  Candice Manning & Caj Jennifer

Great leaders don't just communicate—they understand how their leadership is experienced by others. In this interactive fishbowl session, Candice Manning and Caj Jennifer explore the gap between leadership intent and employee perception, and why closing that gap is essential for building trust and engagement. Through open discussion and real-world insights, participants will discover practical strategies to improve communication, encourage honest feedback, strengthen psychological safety, and lead with greater authenticity.

Supplier Session 

More info to come.

Education Breakout Sessions l 4:10 PM - 5:10 PM

Legal Issues & Legislative Updates  l  Shanae Auguste & Pat Finn

Stay informed on the latest legal developments impacting the rental housing industry. This session provides a practical overview of the laws and regulations that affect day-to-day property operations, including fair housing compliance, lease enforcement, reasonable accommodations and modifications, eviction procedures, habitability standards, risk management, and emerging legislative trends. Leave with valuable insights to help reduce risk and navigate today's evolving legal landscape.

Service Over Stuff: Elevating Resident Experience Without a Big Budget  l  Ishea Shepherd

Outstanding resident experiences aren't built with bigger budgets—they're built through meaningful service. Discover practical, low-cost strategies to strengthen resident relationships through intentional communication, thoughtful follow-up, and consistent service. Whether you manage a luxury community or work within tight budget constraints, you'll leave with creative ideas you can implement immediately to boost resident satisfaction, reduce conflict, and create memorable experiences.

Financial Storytelling: The Numbers Behind the Yes, No, and Not Yet  l  Steve Matre

Financial reports tell a story—if you know how to read them. This session helps property managers and emerging leaders understand not just what the numbers mean, but why financial decisions are made. Learn how budgets, financial statements, and ownership priorities influence approvals, denials, and operational decisions. You'll leave with practical financial acumen and the confidence to explain performance, communicate variances, and make smarter business decisions in conversations with owners, executives, and stakeholders.

Wellness Session 

More info to come.

Wednesday, 5/19/27

Education Breakout Sessions l  9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Content Is the New Leasing Advantage  l  Samuel Anderson

Today's renters are making decisions before they ever schedule a tour. In this high-energy session, Samuel Anderson shares how multifamily professionals can leverage content, social media, short-form video, and personal branding to build trust, attract prospects, and strengthen their property's online presence. Learn how to create intentional content that supports leasing, boosts visibility, increases referrals, and sets your community apart in a competitive market. You'll leave with practical content ideas and messaging strategies you can start using right away.

Balanced Ambition  l  Anna Nelson

Success shouldn't come at the expense of your well-being. Through honest storytelling, humor, and practical strategies, Anna Nelson explores how professionals can pursue ambitious goals while avoiding burnout. Learn to recognize the warning signs of stress, redefine balance in a realistic way, and build healthier habits that support long-term personal and professional success. You'll leave feeling refreshed, motivated, and equipped with actionable tools to thrive—not just survive.

Education Breakout Sessions l  10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

From the Site to the Suite: Communicating with Corporate Leadership  l  Kim Hurd

Strong communication is the bridge between on-site operations and corporate leadership. In this practical session, Kim Hurd shares strategies to help on-site professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Learn how to frame challenges, advocate for your team, provide meaningful updates, and present solutions in ways that earn trust and inspire action. Through real-world examples and practical techniques, you'll discover how to strengthen relationships with regional and corporate leaders—and ensure your voice is heard.

When Everyone's Being a Jerk:  Understanding What's Driving Your Reactions  l  Shanenn Bryant

People aren't reacting to what happened. They're reacting to what they decided it meant. So are you.  That distinction changes everything. Because once you see the interpretation underneath the reaction, behavior stops being confusing and starts being readable.  Every difficult interaction — the resident who escalated out of nowhere, the coworker whose reaction made no sense, the moment you handled something in a way you didn't expect from yourself, started with a meaning that fired before anyone could think. Before anyone could lead. Before anyone could choose differently.  Most people try to manage the behavior. This session goes underneath it. You'll walk out knowing what's actually driving the friction, how to recognize it in the moment it's happening, and how to interrupt it before it becomes the pattern everyone around you can see.

Conference Closing/General Session Keynote l 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Liar Liar Pants on Fire:  Finding the truth in Multifamily Leadership  l  Traci Brown

Difficult interactions rarely start with behavior—they start with perception. In this thought-provoking session, Shanenn Bryant explores why people react the way they do and how our interpretations shape every conversation. Learn to recognize what's happening beneath the surface, interrupt unhelpful reaction patterns, and respond with greater awareness and intention. You'll leave with practical tools to navigate conflict, improve communication, and build healthier relationships with residents, coworkers, and teams.

Questions? Email info@aanconline.org.