Exceptional Expo

First Annual SFAA Expo

SFAA’s first annual Landlord Expo was a day packed with invaluable education, in-person networking, and updates for the City and Rent Board. Long-time colleagues and those newly acquainted made the most of their time at the Fort Mason Center, sharing stories, keeping up with new legislation, and just enjoying one another’s company.

“It was great to see so many familiar faces meeting in person for the first time in years, and to make some new friends as well, as we all focused on best practices in this vital industry,” said Zacks & Freedman Attorney Justin A. Goodman an event sponsor and a participant on the well-attended Legal Q&A Panel.

In addition to the Legal Q&A Panel, attendees received updates and answers to their questions from a variety of industry experts, including Charley Goss, SFAA’s director of government affairs took the stage first to address habitability issues; Jennifer Rakowski of the San Francisco Rent Board, who spoke about the City’s Unit Registry; Angela Lowery of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, who discussed current and future projects and potential rate increases; XXX XXXXX of Conflict Resolution, who talked about mediation and taught attendees how to ask tenants open-ended questions to improve communication and landlord-tenant relationships; and Tomie Kato of the San Francisco Fire Department, who answered questions about the quickly approaching fire alarm upgrade deadline.

“We had a great turn out of property owners and managers who care about doing the right thing. People who take pride in providing quality housing and creating a meaningful connection with industry leaders,” said Clifford Fried of Friend and Williams, LLC.

Attendees weren’t the only ones who benefited. Sponsors of the event made the most of the day, getting to know potential clients and other industry professionals.

“The SFAA landlord expo was a rewarding event where we were able to have meaningful conversations with landlords, property owners, and property managers and to introduce our services to help them comply with governmental requirements. I’m always amazed with how SFAA fosters so much camaraderie within the community and how there is a sincere and genuine concern for each other, where everyone is willing to share experiences and knowledge for the wellbeing of the group,” said Yat-Cheong Au, event sponsor and owner of AEC Alarms.

J. J. Panzer, SFAA President and owner of The Real Management Company had a similar experience. “The SFAA Landlord Expo was a success! It was well attended and we had some very helpful, informative presentations and our wonderful exhibitors were a great resource for all of us. Thanks to the SFAA staff for their efforts in bringing it all together for us!”

Small Business Boost

Mayor London N. Breed, City Attorney David Chiu, and Board President Aaron Peskin announced a series of upcoming events in Chinatown to attract residents and visitors to shop and dine in the neighborhood this summer. The scheduled events are part of ongoing investments, which include the City’s Shop Dine SF initiative, a campaign that encourages residents and visitors to shop at local small businesses, dine at restaurants, and get services locally from the small businesses that make San Francisco vibrant.

This summer and into the fall, the series will also include weekend events on the upper plaza of the Chinatown Rose Pak Central Subway Station.