#NAAEduConf

First Time Thoughts

By Yardi Blog Staff on Jun 14, 2013 in People

The 2013 NAA Education Conference & Exposition is just around the corner. Next week at this time I’ll be in sunny San Diego, listening to the wisdom of business virtuosos like Richard Branson, Erik Wahl, and Bert Jacobs. If Lauren Boston is right, I may see a few tears shed into lunch napkins.

For me, NAA is a big deal because it will be my first chance to represent my company outside our self-hosted conferences, and I want to make the most of it. Perhaps the experience will be similar for you. Conferences can be invaluable learning experiences, but they do require an investment of resources to attend.  If you’re the only attendee for your company, you want to return to work with knowledge gained, providing value for your colleagues and clients.  But there’s so much to do and just two days to accomplish it, so where to start?

Here are 4 steps I’m taking to make the most of my first NAA I hope you’ll consider sharing what steps you’ve taken too.

1. Prepare goals and questions. What are you hoping to get out of the conference? If you’re representing an office, what would your colleagues hope to learn if they were going? What solutions, on-site or in-office are you hoping to identify this year?  Create a list and make that a focus while you’re there. It will help give you conversation topics during networking events, as well as help keep you focused as you move through the expo center and sessions.
2. Created a schedule.  There are loads of resources for doing this throughout the NAA website and the App.  If one of the solutions you’re looking for deals with revenue management then make time at 9:00am Thursday for “Integrating a Revenue Management System into Your Operations:  Managing the Human Factor.” If targeting the next generation of renters is a goal then hear what Michael Wood has to say on Friday at 2:15pm.
3. Download the NAA planner.  Wow! This thing is packed full of useful info.  Debating what class to attend? Learn more about the speakers by reading their profile in the app. Lost? Check the map. You can’t be everywhere at once, stay connected with what’s happening throughout the conference from the Twitter, Facebook, & LinkedIn plugins inside the app! Follow your mobile browser to this link:  http://m.core-apps.com/naa2013 You’ll be directed to the proper version for your device.
4. Make use of the expo floor.  It’s a great place to follow through on goals, seek solutions, and have a little fun.   One of my goals is to learn hot topics and points of interest for the industry so our team can provide you with the content you want online.  For me, this time is all about talking with attendees at the Yardi Photo booth. Speaking of, stop by. It’ll be a win-win. I can learn what interests you and you get to have fun taking pictures.  Plus uploading your photo gets you a chance to win the custom designed Yardi surfboard and lots of other great prizes!

There are experts among us. More than a few who have navigated the NAA Conference in years past and might be able to be a North Star to us newbies. How do you plan to make the most of your #NAAEduConf experience this year?

Editor’s note: Elizabeth Giles, Yardi’s in-house social media expert, will be delivering updates from NAA via the Yardi Twitter feed @Yardi and here on The Balance Sheet. Use hashtag #NAAEduConf to find her latest updates, join the conversation and share your own NAA experience.