Our Top 5 Most Valuable Sessions At Apartmentalize
June is here, which means Apartmentalize is right around the corner and brimming with educational opportunities for industry professionals like you! The event schedule is packed full of impactful learning sessions. The only problem: You can’t attend multiple sessions all at the same time!
With so many sessions to choose from, where do you begin? Don’t worry; we know you’re bombarded with options, so we’ve curated a list of the top five most valuable sessions at Apartmentalize 2025.
From building impactful leadership habits to better understanding neurodiversity and AI, these sessions will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to propel your success.
Here are the top 5 sessions you’ll definitely want to attend and why each deserves a prominent spot on your conference schedule!
1. Eight Leadership Habits of Original Creative Thinkers
Speaker: Toni Blake, Founder at Apartment Association of Metro Denver
Speaker: Tony Sousa, Vice President, Marketing Relations at RPM Living
Session Value
Creativity isn’t just a desirable trait. In fact, according to IBM’s Institute for Business, creativity is an essential leadership skill for successful organizations, and those that foster originality and unconventional thinking position themselves ahead of the curve.
This session explores how tapping into creativity can boost ROI, enhance company culture, and unlock new growth opportunities. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the eight leadership habits of original creative thinkers, empowering them to embrace innovation and reimagine their company’s future.
The Takeaway
Here’s what you’ll leave with:
- Tune into internal inspiration, embrace unique gifts, and transform skills into tangible habits that foster market interest.
- Understand how habits of curiosity and active listening to naysayers pivot perspectives to build inclusive visions and inspire executive support.
- Discover key leadership habits for filtering and deconstructing ideas that build value and prioritize effective team strategies for success.
Why You Should Attend
If you’re looking to differentiate your properties, advance your career, and elevate your organization’s market presence, this session is a must-attend. You’ll discover how to leverage creativity to overcome challenges, stand out from the competition, and drive lasting impact.
By learning how to cultivate and apply the habits of original thinkers, you’ll gain the tools needed to propel your organization — and yourself — toward greater success. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your leadership and set a new standard of excellence in your industry.
2. Be Our Guest: Hospitality With a Residential Twist
Speaker: Gustaf Berman, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer at GID
Speaker: Taylor Blades, Senior Marketing Manager at Yardi
Speaker: Josh Draughn, Vice President of Marketing & Customer Experience at Weidner
Session Value
This engaging panel discussion will explore how best practices from the hospitality industry can be applied to rental properties to enhance the resident experience. You’ll gain valuable insights into how high-touch service and cutting-edge technology, which have long been used to create seamless and luxurious stays in hotels and resorts, can transform multifamily communities.
From smart building technologies that improve efficiency to customer service techniques that boost satisfaction and retention, attendees will leave with practical strategies to elevate their properties and attract new residents.
The Takeaway
After this session, you will be able to:
- Understand how to deploy rewards programs that provide residents valuable benefits such as credit reporting.
- Discover best practices for simplifying the move-in experience, ensuring new residents feel welcomed from day one.
- Know how to leverage technology like a resident portal to simplify daily tasks like rent payments, service requests, and communication.
Why You Should Attend
If you’re looking for innovative ways to stand apart from the competition and create a living experience that residents love, this session is a must-attend. You’ll hear from industry experts who will share real-world applications and success stories that can be adapted to your properties.
Whether you’re focused on increasing retention, improving operational efficiency, or enhancing overall resident satisfaction, this session will provide actionable takeaways that can set your community apart in a competitive market. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how hospitality-inspired service and technology can redefine the future of rental living!
Come See Us at Apartmentalize June 11-13 Booth #1906!
Add more convenience to your community with Valet Trash and Package Management. Fetch’s newest amenity brings tech-forward convenience to residents and saves all your headaches!
3. Rethinking Diversity: Is Neurodiversity Missing from Your Equation?
Speaker: Mike Brewer, Founder and CEO at MultifamilyCollective
Speaker: Jennifer Carter, Director of Marketing at Nurtureboss
Speaker: Latrice Leake, Learning and Development Specialist at Mission Rock Residential
Session Value
This session offers invaluable insights into how incorporating neurodiversity into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies can enhance workplace performance and innovation. Attendees will learn from real-world examples presented by three global leaders who have successfully created more inclusive and equitable environments for neurodivergent employees, including those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.
The Takeaway
By understanding how neurodivergent individuals excel in information processing, creative thinking, and problem-solving, attendees will be equipped to implement actionable strategies that unlock the potential of 30% of the population often overlooked in traditional DEI efforts. This session provides the tools and knowledge necessary to:
- Understand the concept of neurodiversity and how it differs from traditional notions of diversity.
- Recognize the business benefits of creating a neurodiverse workplace, including increased innovation, improved employee satisfaction, and enhanced reputation.
- Be ready to develop a plan to incorporate neurodiversity-inclusive strategies into your organization’s culture and practices.
Why You Should Attend
If your organization is ready to build a truly inclusive workplace, this session is a must-attend. Many companies acknowledge DEI but often miss the opportunity to include neurodivergent talent in their strategies. By attending, you will gain practical guidance on recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of neurodivergent employees to boost team performance and innovation.
You’ll also learn actionable steps and proven practices from industry leaders who have made meaningful organizational changes. Whether you’re an HR professional, manager, or DEI advocate, this session will equip you with the knowledge to create a more inclusive workplace that values and supports neurodiversity.
4. How to Fight Fraud in the Age of AI
Speaker: Patricia Daly, Consumer Engagement & Risk Specialist at MRI Software
Speaker: Stephanie Jackson, Sr. Area Vice President at RAM Partners, LLC
Speaker: Chris Loebsack, Founder & Managing Principal at Loebsack & Brownlee, PLLC
Session Value
This session offers invaluable insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of fraud prevention, focusing on the growing threat posed by AI-driven scams. Attendees will better understand how fraudsters use advanced tools like falsified images and CPNs (Credit Privacy Numbers) to bypass traditional ID verification systems.
The panel will discuss the most effective strategies for identifying and mitigating these emerging threats, ensuring attendees leave with actionable knowledge to protect their organizations. This session will also explore legal avenues for combating fraud, providing a comprehensive approach to safeguarding against increasingly sophisticated tactics.
The Takeaway
Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Equip yourself with an extensive list of “fraud red flags” to watch out for during the application process.
- Bolster your fraud prevention by learning to spot and thwart the newest AI tricks.
- Understand the operational risks of CPNs, falsified documents, and other fraud types and how to respond legally to them.
Why You Should Attend:
If you are responsible for fraud prevention, security, or compliance within your organization, this session is a must-attend. With AI empowering fraudsters to create more convincing scams, standard prevention methods are no longer sufficient.
This panel will equip you with cutting-edge strategies to strengthen your fraud defenses and stay ahead of evolving threats. By learning how to legally respond to fraud, you can ensure your organization remains compliant while protecting its assets. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and enhance your fraud prevention capabilities.
5. Student Housing Technology: The Real Top of Funnel for Rental
Speaker: Dorota Firek, Chief Marketing Officer at Tour24
Speaker: Whitney Kidd, SVP of Technology & Innovation at Preiss Company
Speaker:Erica White, SVP of Technology and Strategic Initiatives at Article S
Speaker: Vanessa Young, SVP of Management Services-Leasing and Marketing at Landmark Properties Inc
Session Value
This panel will provide valuable insights into the future of the student housing market, which is expected to reach 9.2 million beds by 2031. With most college graduates leasing for over a decade before purchasing a home, student housing operators are uniquely positioned to create a pipeline of leads for other rental properties.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage technology to enhance the touring and leasing experience, catering to the preferences of younger renters. The session will also explore innovative strategies for streamlining the leasing process, helping operators stay competitive and maximize occupancy rates.
The Takeaway
You can expect the following from attending this session:
- Explore the key technologies that help student-housing residents transition into multifamily properties.
- Know how to leverage online experiences to satisfy prospects who expect properties to offer self-guided tours and 24/7 service.
- Be prepared to develop a seamless framework to ensure positive experiences for students moving into their next life phase.
Why You Should Attend:
As younger generations rely heavily on technology to search for and secure housing, understanding how to meet their expectations is critical for success. This panel will equip attendees with actionable strategies to enhance the user experience, optimize property tours, and convert student housing residents into long-term renters.
Whether you seek to improve lead generation, increase retention, or streamline operations, this session will offer practical solutions to position your properties for sustained growth.
We are getting excited about Apartmentalize 2025 and hope you are, too! The session lineup is fantastic, so get ready to learn and connect!
