May 08 Ciaa Newsletter

“Our Profit is Your Success”

May 2008

An Affiliate Of

A Great Day... We had great turn out for our April General Membership meeting and Leasing Seminar. Susan Wells, our presenter, did a wonderful job keeping all of us engaged. Her enthusiasm for the industry was very clear and contagious during her presentation. We all walked away with helpful tips and reminders on how to be a better leasing professional, how to endure those crazy days and how to stay positive through it all. We all walked away with several good reminders: A customer’s enthusiasm for your product or idea cannot exceed your own. After all, how could they be more excited than the person selling it? Enthusiasm is highly contagious! Surround yourself with positive people in your life. If you are around negative people you can’t help but to be negative, too. People will tell you exactly what they want if you just listen! Be open to objections and learn how to overcome them. Recipe for a Good Salesperson Hard worker & Problem Solving Skills Intelligent Patient Perseverance and Confidence

Upcoming Events Leasing Seminar Friday - May 9th 9:30 am - 1:00 pm Ingersoll Square May General Membership Meeting Wednesday - May 14th Lunch 12 - 1 pm Airport Holiday Inn May Vendor Council Meeting Thursday - May 15th 4:00 pm Chicken Coop

Diligent June General

Perceptive

Susan Wells with Cathy Bishop of West Glen

Membership Meeting

Positive Mental Attitude

Wednesday -June 11th Lunch 12 - 1 pm Airport Holiday Inn

Inside Your Newsletter: • • • • •

Education Committee Update Vendor Council Update 2008 CIAA Board Members Letter from the President 2008 NAA Conference

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Lights! Camera! Action! Roll Out the Red Carpet Vendor Spotlight Need a Vendor? May Meeting Registration

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“Closing is a Process…” Registration Form

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2nd Annual Golf Outing Registration Form

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Golf Sponsorship Form NAA Connect

2nd Annual Golf Outing Friday - July 11th Toad Valley

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Education Committee Update The CIAA is delighted to offer a FREE class for members titled “closing is a Process, Not a Single Event” on May 9th at Ingersoll Square. This is a great seminar for new hires and a great refresher for veteran leasers as well! Mary Spain will be presenting this seminar that includes the first impression of the property, phone and leasing techniques, how to ask for the deposit/closing, and calming phrases to use with residents. We’ll cover all the techniques needed for you to become a worldclass closer! Class size is limited so sign up now! Look for the registration form at the back of the newsletter - deadline for registration is May 5th.

Reminder for CAM Students: CAM tests need to be completed by May 8th and Community Analysis notebooks need to be turned in to Mary Spain no later than Noon on June 8th. Call Mary at 515-327-06006 to make arrangements.

Vendor Council Update Your Vendor Council has been very busy making plans for 2008. Be sure to save the following dates and look for more information on these great exciting events they have planned for us through out the upcoming year!!! Golf Outing and Tournament ~ July 11th ~ Toad Valley Vendor Trade Show ~ October 23rd ~ Airport Holiday Inn Maintenance Olympics and Vendor Social ~ December 10th ~ Airport Holiday Inn

2008 Board Members and Committees President

Rick Koontz, Signature Place

Past President

Melissa Johnson, Olde English Village

Vice President Deb Lanpher, R & R Realty Treasurer Lori Young, BH Management Secetary

Jennifer O’Brien Konior, TAB Properties

Vendor Council Co-Chairs

Tom Newton, Gorman Roofing Mary Spain, Apartment Finder Page 2

Education Committee Chair Mary Spain, Apartment Finder Legislative Committee Chair Rick Koontz, Signature Place Membership Committee Chair Lesley Sweet, Knapp Properties Public Relations Committee Chair Deb Lanpher, R & R Realty Trade Show Committee Chair Michelle Ogden, Timberland Partners

Get Involved, We Value Your Opinion… The CIAA needs your ideas to make the organization what you, our members, need and want. Please contact any of the Board Members and Committee Chairpersons if you are interested in participating on a committee.

Website: www.ciaahq.org

Letter from the President The 100+ day legislative session ended successfully for property management professionals. Thanks to our lobbyists, last-minute efforts by Representative Bell to attach his very negative bill as an amendment to the “catch-all” appropriations bill failed. This was his second attempt to attach his bill to another as an amendment. The first was attached to SF 445, the security deposit bill. Our efforts in the legislative arena are an important part of your membership in the CIAA. We will continue these efforts on behalf of our members to assure our industry can remain stable in an otherwise uncertain business climate. The CIAA is offering a FREE leasing seminar on May 9th. I urge all of you to send your leasing professionals to this “back-tobasics” class. With the rental market being as volatile as it is, all of your leasers can benefit from this refresher class. We all have to be at the top of our game in order to gain advantages over our competition, especially with all the specials so many are offering. The CIAA has been asked to bring the NAA approved Fair Housing class to the Cedar Rapids area. We are tentatively planning this for sometime in July. If your company wants to participate in this class, please watch for announcements in your email. You can also email us at [email protected] at any time to reserve your spot. The cost for this class will be nominal and all attendees will receive a certificate at completion. It’s important to keep your staff aware of Fair Housing practices, but most importantly, to make sure everyone looking for housing is treated fairly without regard to the law because it is the right thing to do. Our second annual Golf Outing on July 11th will be an event to remember. The vendor members are working hard to make sure a great time will be had by all. You can look forward to a fun day of 18 holes of golf and a steak dinner at a bargain price! Lots of prizes and giveaways will just add to the fun. Get those registrations in! NAA’s annual Education Conference in Orlando next month is on track to be the biggest ever. The education tracks are phenomenal and there is something for everyone from leasing staff to owners. Be sure to check out NAA’s website for further information. I would urge anyone who has not attended to check it out! The volunteers who keep your association going will be busy throughout the summer planning membership meetings with guest speakers offering information relevant to your continued success. If you have some spare time and would like to help, we’d love to have you! It takes an incredible amount of work to pull these events together. Extra hands really help! Good luck to everyone during what will prove to be one of the most challenging leasing seasons! Rick Koontz, President Signature Place Apartments

2008 NAA Education Conference Is your company sending any staff to the NAA Conference in June? We’d like to know!!! Please reply to [email protected] to let us know how many people from your company will be attending. June 26-28, 2008 Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Orlando, Florida Get more information regarding costs and registration at www.naahq.org See flyer at the back of the newsletter

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Lights!

Camera! Action! the m o r f res Pictu CIAA t s e t la ts!! Even

k t Wo r ard a H s t n Stude Cam

Tom Newto n (Gorman Roofing) & (Sherwin Will Steven Arnb iams) - April urg General Mem bership Mee ting

d Sara Kern with Timberlan tion igna Des CAM her receives

Laura O’Leary & Samantha Dryden from Pheasant Run, Cedar Rapids with Gail Cudworth of Eastern Iowa Apartment Finder

Roll Out the Red Carpet Welcome to our new Members and Vendor Members. It is a honor to have you join our growing organization. New Property Members New Vendor Members

Haverkamp Properties - Ames Kirkwood Courts & Campus View - Cedar Rapids

A.Q. Allstate Pest Control

West Towne - Ames

Big Green Umbrella Media

Westwood Village - Ames Crowne Point/Emerald Drive - Ames Riverwood - Pleasant Hill Walnut Place - Ames

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Email: [email protected]

Vendor Spotlight Marsden Building Maintenance Marsden Bldg Maintenance, L.L.C., has an unmatched reputation for integrity, service and value. Since 1952, we have dedicated ourselves to providing our customers with an always-expanding list of cleaning, building maintenance and specialty services. The hard work, long hours and commitment to our mission has made Marsden one of the largest privately held businesses in the industry. Locally owned, our workforce has grown to match our customer's faith in our ability to meet their needs. Today, over 3,500 Marsden associates clean and maintain more than 85 million square feet of office space around the country. From the corner store to the headquarters of Fortune 500 companies, we treat every customer with integrity and a heartfelt commitment to value and quality service. Contact:

Bob McVey 515-245-4350 [email protected]

Need a Vendor...Call a Vendor Member First! A+ Lawn & Landscape

Gorman Roofing Services

Stew Hansen’s Dodge

A.Q. Allstate Pest Control

Hawkeye Legal Services

Stitzell Electric Supply Co.

American Family Insurance

ICS Advanced Technologies

Sudzy’s Carpet Cleaning

Jetz Service Co.

Tenant Data

Apartment Finder

Lawns Plus

Transworld Systems, Inc.

Big Green Umbrella Media

Marsden Building Maintenance

Tub Wrx

Bragg Handywork

Nationwide Office Care

Waste Connections

Carpet Pro by Baker Interiors

On the Spot Carpet & Tile

Waste Management

Performance Leasing

West Des Moines Police Dept.

Cort Furniture Rental

Qwest

The Des Moines Register

Reliable Construction

DeWitt Painting

Sherwin Williams

Diamond Vogel Paints

Snider Lawn Care

First Advantage SafeRent

State Farm Insurance

Jared Frank Agency

Furniture Options

All Vendor Member contact information can be found on the CIAA website: www.ciaahq.org

Glen Waterhouse III

Gallon, Inc. To Become A Vendor Member Contact: Tom Newton 515-883-0838

[email protected]

If you would like featured in our Vendor Spotlight contact: Deb Lanpher 515-270-0940 [email protected]

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General Membership Meeting Registration Date: May 14th Time: 12 Noon Airport Holiday Inn, Fleur Drive

“Our Profit is Your Success!”

Guest Speaker: John Woutat, Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services For West Des Moines

“Responding for Emergency Responders” What should you do before help arrives Special emphasis on pool emergencies Brief CPR instructions This is a great time to get a few tips before pool season!

Cost: $20.00 for Pasta Buffet Make checks payable to CIAA Fax your reservations to Mary Spain at (515) 327-9104 No later than 12:00 pm on Monday, May 12th Registration Form: Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Company / Property Name: City:

Address: Phone:

Fax:

Zip Email:

CENTRAL IOWA APARTMENT ALLIANCE presents

“Closing is a Process, Not a Single Event”

FREE TO MEMBERS! Leasing season is in full swing...are you prepared to close your prospects? Please plan on sending your new hires and those in need of a Spring Refresher to this FREE class offered by the CIAA. This will be the “back-to-basics” that you never get to share with your new hires. Mary Spain and Gail Cudworth will cover all the basics. Topics will include: • • • • • •

•

Choosing Your Attitude Why Curb Appeal is Important First Impressions Phone Technique How to Greet Prospects How to Fill Out the Guest Card, and What it is For The Apartment Tour

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How to Ask For the Deposit/Closing Follow Up Internet Etiquette Important Elements of a Work Order Customer Service - Under Promise, Over Deliver Calming Phrases to Use with Residents AND MUCH MORE!

Date: May 9, 2008 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. At:

Ingersoll Square Lofts, Corner of MLK and Ingersoll

Cost: MEMBERS: FREE! NON-MEMBERS: $50.00

Fax your registrations to Mary Spain at (515) 327-9104 by May 5, 2008 or email the information below to [email protected] Registration Form: Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Company/Community Name: Phone:

Email:

2nd Annual Golf Outing DATE: Friday July 11, 2008 WHERE: Toad Valley Golf Course TIME: 12:00 NOON Shotgun Start FORMAT: 18 Hole – 4 Person Best Ball COST: $60.00/person (includes green fee, cart, dinner, prizes) Sign up today for the 2008 Central Iowa Apartment Alliance Golf Tournament to be held at Toad Valley Golf Course! This event will be

IZES R P H CAS FOR RS E N N I W TO P 1 2

an 18 Hole 4 person Best Shot. Steak Dinner, awards, cash prizes and giveaways will follow your golf round! Many prizes will be awarded. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MARY SPAIN @ 327-0606 OR TOM NEWTON @ 883-0838

Registrations must be received no later than June 15th, 2008

Mail registration and payment to: CIAA, 3775 E.P. True Parkway, Suite 263 West Des Moines, IA 50265 Individual sign ups welcome, we’ll place you on a foursome! Name

Phone

Name

Phone

Name

Phone

Name

Phone

Method of Payment

Check

Cash

2nd ANNUAL CIAA GOLF OUTING HOLE SPONSOR REGISTRATION The 2nd Annual Golf outing is Friday July 11, 2008 at Toad Valley Sponsors will be taken on a first come first served basis as there are only 18 positions open. The cost is $150.00 which includes a sign for everyone and a table at the hole for the first 10 sponsorships received. Please note that you cannot give away major food items and or beverages of any kind, unless it is purchased from the golf course. Please sign up as a sponsor no later than May 1, 2008 Fax registrations to Tom Newton at (515) 278-5562 An invoice will be generated and faxed to you Cost for dinner only is $18.50 if you have not purchased a round of golf

HOLE SPONSOR CONTACT PERSON PHONE #

FAX#

E-MAIL ADDRESS I will also be donating a prize worth at least $25.00 I will not be sponsoring a hole but would like to donate a prize of at least $25.00 BUSINESS NAME CONTACT PERSON PHONE #

Connect With NAA Top Industry CEOs to Discuss Issues At NAA Education Conference B y M i c h a e l To m p k i n s , C A P S , C P M , C C I M 2008 National Apartment Association Chairman of the Board Julian LeCraw & Co.

N

AA has assembled a panel of some of the apartment industry’s leading CEOs, which will address attendees as the Friday General Session event at the 2008 NAA Education Conference & Exposition, June 26-28, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The Friday General Session CEO Panel features Daryl J. Carter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Avanath Capital Partners as moderator, with panelists Steven D. Bell (Chairman & CEO/Steven D. Bell & Company), Terry Danner (CEO/Riverstone Residential), Keith Oden (President, COO and Trust Manager/Camden Property Trust) and Dave Stockert (CEO/Post Properties). A new feature will be offered with this session—attendees, equipped with a hand-held polling devices, will be able to weigh in on true/false and multiple choice questions about the industry along with the CEOs. Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), will present the Opening Keynote Session “Leadership: Take Charge” Thursday, June 26 at the 2008 NAA Education Conference & Exposition. This year’s conference features more than 50 education sessions divided into nine education tracks, including Executive, Development & Rehab, Marketing & Leasing, Human Resources, Independent/Small Owner, Specialty Housing, Personal Development, Wild Card! and Shared Interest Roundtables. The last day to save $100 on a full registration is May 30. Please visit www.naahq.org/meetings for details on how to register.

NAA National Lease Program Launches Forms Online Tutorial The NAA National Lease Program and Blue Moon Software are pleased to announce the release of its new Forms Online tutorial. The tutorial is a training tool showing how to use the online forms processor. Visit www.bluemoon.com/tutorials/forms_online/index.php.

NAA To Participate in 2008 Democrat and GOP Political Conventions For the first time in its history, NAA will participate in the 2008 Political Conventions. NAA is partnering with the nonprofit group The Creative Coalition to host a luncheon forum discussion on affordable housing issues during this summer’s national Democrat and Republican conventions. The Creative Coalition is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its member on issues of public importance. The luncheons will raise targeted awareness of the need for a balanced housing policy and general awareness of NAA. Members of Congress, the media, the celebrity delegation of The Creative Coalition and NAA will attend. The Democratic Convention takes place Aug. 25-28 in Denver. The Republican Convention is Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minn. For information, please contact NAA’s Director of Political Outreach Irica Solomon at [email protected] or 703/518-6141.

NAAEI Creating a Pipeline for Leasing Careers NAAEI is working to develop a pipeline of leasing consultants through DECA, an international association of high school and college students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service. Many high school DECA students participate in work-based learning as part of their curriculum. NAAEI staff will exhibit at the National DECA Conference in Atlanta April 28-29 to promote apartment leasing as a career to 15,000 high school students and DECA advisors. NAAEI’s goal is to link DECA advisors, who are interested in placing students in leasing positions as part of work-based learning, with NAA-affiliated apartment associations and their members. NAAEI staff will follow up with state and local associations after the DECA conference and provide associations with contact information from DECA advisors interested in partnering with the apartment industry.

Budget Today to Experience It All in June!

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE? ® Access to more than 50 timely and cutting-edge education

2008 NAA Education Conference & Exposition June 26-28,2008 Orlando,Florida NAA Hotels: Caribe Royale All-Suites Resort Disney World Hilton Resort Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

sessions led by industry experts and professional speakers ® Access to the NEW Saturday Idea Exchange Roundtables ® Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch? Your full

conference registration also includes lunch on Thursday, Friday and Saturday ® A ticket to the Thursday night NSC Sponsored Opening Party,

which includes entertainment,plenty of food and an open bar ® A ticket to the Saturday night Closing Gala, which includes

entertainment, a sit-down dinner and two drink tickets

Amazing Discounts on Group Registrations

Save up to 25% For more information, please call 703/518-6141 ext. 130 Register Today and Reserve Your Hotel Room at www.naahq.org/educonf

® Grand Prize Giveaway - Visit the Platinum Sponsor booths on

the Trade Show Floor on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for your chance to win $30,000 in CASH on Saturday afternoon! ® Access to the Trade Show Floor all three days, providing one-

stop shopping for all of your community’s service needs ® Entrance to the general sessions on Thursday and Friday ® Coffee breaks between education sessions on Thursday,

Friday and Saturday ® A ticket to the Maintenance Mania National Championship

event on Saturday ® Networking with more than 5,000 of your industry peers ® The NAA PARAGON Awards, recognizing excellence in the

multifamily housing industry ® NAA Registration Bag along with evening gifts delivered to

your room (provided you booked your room in the NAA Room Block at the Caribe Royale, Disney Hilton or the Gaylord Palms)

THANK YOU TO OUR 2008 PLATINUM SPONSORS

4300 Wilson Boulevard Suite 400 Arlington, VA 22203 703/518-6141 www.naahq.org/educonf