November 2013 • Vol. 50 No. 11
The Official Publication of the Arizona MultiHousing Association
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Project S.A.F.E. Honors Special Event Leaders
unning an apartment community presents so many opportunities to work with residents and impact people’s lives. Many times though, residents don’t have the chance to know each other well, and take the time to protect themselves and their neighborhoods. AMA’s Project S.A.F.E. program creates a meaningful opportunity for apartment community managers to reach into the greater community to bring together local educators, community leaders to meet residents and foster community engagement. This year, more than 100 properties participated in Project S.A.F.E. and impacted thousands of residents. In fact, Phoenix had 65 communi-
ties engaged in Project S.A.F.E. If Congratulations to all of the Project S.A.F.E. Winners! each apartment community averages 400 residents, that means that Phoenix – Best of Awards: as many as 26,000 people were impacted by these initiatives. • Theme – Whispering Pines (U.S. Residential Group) Each year, the Project S.A.F.E. team sees creative and inspiring pro• Flyer – Glendale Enterprise Lofts & Ironwood Village gramming through these events. This (Dunlap & Magee) year there were entries that offered • Community Participation – Willow Springs drowning prevention programs, fire (Centurion) prevention training, and updates on safe driving and cyber bullying. In • Community Participation – Maddox Estates (Allison- September, the AMA members gath Shelton Real Estate Services Inc.), Tucson ered to honor these managers who hosted unique Project S.A.F.E. events • Turnout – Covington Park (ConAm) and celebrate their success. More • Committee Choice – Ridgepoint (P.B.Bell) than 135 members joined the AMA for the awards dinner. Continued on page 2
Tucson Goes for the Gold By Joanna Grassinger, AMA
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n September 20, AMA Tucson said ‘Go for the Gold’ at the 2013 Tucson Education Conference and Tradeshow sponsored by Koglmeier Law Group at the Tucson Convention Center. The day started with two amazing speakers. Les Taylor of Outperformers International began the sessions with ‘You Are The Brand.’ Attendees learned how they are the “President and CEO” of themselves and they can change their brand and image if they are not happy with it. Second came JoAnn Contorno – motivational speaker, author, entertainer, mother, wife, runner and comedienne. Joann was the keynote speaker, sponsored by Greenspan Adjusters International. JoAnn had attendees laughing until they were in tears while making an impact with her ‘Going for the Gold’ presentation. JoAnn was inspiring and Professional Publishing, Inc PO Box 30327 Portland, OR 97294-3327
absolutely hysterical. She related her presentation perfectly to the multihousing industry and left the crowd wanting more. Over 300 hundred people enjoyed a fantastic lunch and then kicked off the Tradeshow with a bang. Close to 400 property management attendees packed the Tradeshow floor of a sold out 75 booths. The creativity of the exhibitors’ use of theme with costumes, goodies and interactive activities was outstanding. The ‘Most Interactive’ Booth Award went to Distinctive Carpets, Inc./For Rent Media Solutions. The ‘Best Use of Theme’ went to Valley Protective Services. The ‘Best Costumes’ Award went to Redi Carpet. Attendees spent close to three hours, playing games, winning prizes and having a great time. The end of the Tradeshow always brings great excitement with the AME Raffle of a trip valued sat $500 and the $1000 Grand Prizes (sponsored by Valley Protective Services). Continued on page 10
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Taking the East Valley by Storm P&P Speakers Share Insights into Southeast Market By AMA Perspectives and Projections, the AMA’s annual economic outlook event, brought together hundreds of real estate industry leaders, multifamily operators, managers and investors for a half day of education and insights. Starting with Michael Bidwill, the president of the Arizona Cardinals, attendees learned more about the aggressive economic development efforts of the past few years and the impressive results. During the panel with the East Valley mayors, moderated by AMA president and CEO Tom Simplot, it was clear that these business attraction efforts are benefitting the multifamily industry. As thousands of new jobs have been created here in the Valley over the past few months, many of them in the growing southeast valley, the need for and interest in multifamily product has grown. The home ownership rate today is at 65%, down from its peak, in 2004, when it was 69.2%. Speakers noted that there appears to be a feeling that people will wait longer to buy a house following the recession and housing crash. The national trend of adult children living with their parents for a longer period has shifted the timing for buying a home. Many of those young adults are going to be
entering the rental market soon as they look for jobs. This generation also appears to be more mobile, and therefore less likely to purchase a home early in their careers. Apartment communities, especially the newer communities, offer luxury amenities like pools, technology, and lifestyle. In addition, there seems to be a shift in the Valley toward communities with access to major transportation corridors, and light rail to meet the interests of Generation Y renters who want a vibrant lifestyle in proximity to where they work.
The Hot Panel – East Valley Mayors
Chandler is Rocking It! Intel, General Motors, Wells Fargo have all decided to make Chandler the home of their new expansions. The city’s mayor, Jay Tibshraeny, was excited to share the recent successes in business attraction and expansion with the P&P crowd. Intel has two major expansions in Chandler that are driving the need for housing. One of the Intel developments is the second largest construction project in the world according to Tibshraeny. General Motors is constructing a research and development facility in Chandler that will create 1,000 new jobs Continued on page 3