Seek Opportunity – The 2021

The 2021 Education Conference and Expo Committree chairs want to encourage HAA members to seek new opportunities.

The Houston Apartment Association 2021 Education Conference and Expo Committee Chairs Derek DeVries with Camp Construction Services and Monica Gracia with DayRise Residential are excited to see you all in person at NRG Center, Hall A, on Wednesday, September 22.

These two volunteer leaders helped HAA plan, organize and promote a conference and tradeshow that is fun, professionally fulfilling and safe for HAA members. The double-header speaker, David Rendall, will replenish you both professionally and personally. And the theme this year, “Seek Opportunity” will create a positive environment for over-due networking. Derek and Monica share what they are most excited about this year and what went into the planning process.

How did you select this year’s 2021 HAA Education Conference and Expo theme and what does it mean to you?

Derek: During the height of COVID-19, with my team, we had to find new and different ways to be successful. What worked in the past, no longer worked. When we were coming up with a theme for expo, we didn’t know where we were going to be by September 2021, but we were hopeful doors would open back up again. I landed on “seek opportunities” I felt that really fit with what we’ve had to do and continue to do in order to be successful today.

What went into the selection process in choosing David Rendall as the double-header speaker for the conference?

Monica: Because this pandemic has really affected all industries, we wanted to stay away from industry-specific content. We were looking for someone who was both motivating and energizing. We wanted to take into consideration the fact that the last year and a half has been emotionally draining for so many people. David Rendall was really the best fit. His sessions will resonate with everyone both professionally and personally.

What are you most excited about this year?

Derek: The new ways that we are promoting the expo! We’re using QR codes to promote the event and we’re using short videos to connect with onsite and management teams. I’m hoping this will get the word out to a greater audience. What I’m most looking forward to is getting the HAA family back together again. We’ve been able to connect virtually and at some in-person HAA events, but to me, the expo is the best way to bring everybody together again. It’s overdue and I’m super excited to see everybody again.

Monica: It’s really exciting to have an in-person conference and expo this year! I’m super excited to attend the education sessions with David Rendall. I’m also equally excited to network with my fellow onsite and management professionals and our supplier partners. I want to encourage onsite and management teams to attend this year and support our supplier partners. They’ve done everything they can to support us while experiencing their own challenges due to the pandemic and even “snow-vid.” Throughout all the challenging situations last year and this year, they’ve really gone above and beyond to help us get over every hurdle. It’s really important we show up and support our supplier partners.

What advice do you have for supplier partners exhibiting at the 2021 HAA Education Conference and Expo?

Derek: My advice to everybody going to the expo is to make every minute count. The expo comes and goes really quick. For suppliers, it’s an opportunity to get in front of onsite and management professionals. The expo is fun and we want everybody to have a good time, but remember why we are doing it and use your time there to your advantage. When we are at the expo, we are working, and we need to work every minute we are there.

What advice do you have for people attending the 2021 HAA Education Conference and Expo?

Monica: Give yourself plenty of time to get to the NRG Center. Registration opens at 9 a.m., but you will want to give yourself enough time to weave through traffic, park and navigate the NRG campus. Keep in mind, you are likely to run into people you haven’t seen in over a year. Arriving early will allow you to catch up with your fellow HAA members with plenty of time to get to the morning session at 10 a.m.