CFAA Conference Jun02

CFAA Conference

The first in-person Canadian Federation Apartment Association (CFAA) Rental Housing Conference in three years made up for lost time with a wide-ranging assessment of recent market and technology updates. Key themes resounding throughout the three day event include an optimistic multifamily outlook, rising cybersecurity concerns and increasing commitments to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). As CFAA’s 2022 Supplier of the Year, as well as a long-term industry partner, Yardi Canada Ltd. occupied a central role in the event. Yardi presenters underscored the importance of marketing technology, talent development, R&D in IoT and energy innovation. Here are some takeaways from those sessions. Confidently moving forward on marketing On the second day of the conference, panel conversions illustrated the value of making property marketing websites SEO-driven, engaging and easy to use for prospects. Parisa Vafaei, regional manager of sales for Yardi, introduced new technology gaining traction in North America: the omnichannel chatbot, this unique marketing tool applies artificial intelligence and integrates with leasing data to help staff prequalify leads. The bot is built to answer questions around scheduling a tour, amenities, property guidelines, signing leases and more – saving staff time and easing labour constraints. This advanced marketing technology has the ability to target and interact with multi-generations, “elevating a business’ competitive edge and priming them for success,” Vafaei said.  Enhancing talent retention incentives Another CFAA session addressed learning management platforms, which became more widely used during the pandemic as a substitute for in-person training. This includes orientation for new employees to professional development and compliance management. Attendees learned how platforms such as Yardi Aspire help property managers work smarter with automated attendance tracking and reporting. With millions of employees considering new job options, on-demand learning management systems are key to retention and stability, according to Patty Evans, Yardi industry principal for Aspire. “If companies offer opportunities to develop skills, employees are more likely to stay in their jobs. When it comes to skill training, more abilities mean more opportunities,” she said, noting that Aspire enables a personalized approach to building skills that avoids an unproductive “one size fits all” training strategy. Solutions for building operations and ESG On day three, sessions centred on another hot topic: smart building operations and technology that satisfies operators’ need for energy efficiency. During one panel, Yardi’s Jacquelyn Bauer, advised CFAA attendees to consult with experts at the outset of planning a new building or upgrading an existing property. With rising smart tech options for smart locks, lights, thermostats and leak detection, “the goal is to create a seamless renter experience and maintain data security with a single connected platform. The frictionless connection will satisfy investors and residents and create a higher ‘wow’ value for your properties,” Bauer said. Smart tech also contributes towards better managing energy and water consumption, a behavioural shift mainly driven by municipal mandates as well as ENERGY STAR® and GRESB reporting requirements. The best approach to a carbon reduction strategy, according to Ryan Bekar, an account executive for Yardi Energy, involves “leveraging technology to track, centralize and benchmark your utility consumption data. These insights will identify low-hanging fruit among your buildings, enabling your team to apply changes at the property level before implementing them across your portfolio.” Final takeaways Information is power and data will revolutionize the real estate landscape. As more organizations publicly release their data, the market needs to prepare for a growing demand for transparency. Industry leaders encouraged CFAA attendees to select a technology partner that simplifies data management while offering solutions that future proofs their business. To get up to date insights on Canada’s multifamily industry, view the recent Yardi apartment report. To learn more about your technology options visit...

Ready to network?

Argentum is well known for their advocacy efforts in senior living. From influencing policy decisions to informing the public about pressing issues, they’re always working to better the lives of older adults.   This makes their annual conference a can’t-be-missed opportunity. The event gathers thousands of senior living professionals, operators, owners, executives and community leaders to discuss the future of senior living. And this year, you can connect with team Yardi at booth 805. Ready to network at the Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference? We’ll see you May 16-18 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Come to booth 805 There’s no denying the importance of technology in today’s senior living landscape. Integrated, comprehensive solutions like the Yardi Senior Living Suite have the tools needed to unify operations, increase move-ins and enhance resident care. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Our single connected solution has undergone some powerful enhancements lately, and each improvement was built to power your communities like never before. With that in mind, we invite you to meet team Yardi at booth 805 come Argentum 2022! We’ll answer any questions you have, whether it be on the Senior Living Suite as a whole, or individual tools like RentCafe Senior CRM and Yardi EHR. We can’t wait to show you what’s new with each product — and demonstrate how everything connects on a single platform. Want to get something on the books in advance? Schedule time to meet with us at Argentum. Start exploring our single connected solution Eager to learn more about Yardi before Argentum? Check out our newest infographic to see how our software evolves — with functionality like electronic signatures — to help operators succeed. We walk you through every step of our electronic leasing process, and offer testimonies...

11 Big Ideas

More than 800 people joined the Apartment Innovation and Marketing Conference in Huntington Beach last week for four days of learning, networking and fun. The REACH by RentCafe digital marketing agency was in attendance as marketing leaders and multifamily experts from across the country took the stage to share both strategies and results. Here are some quotable moments from this incredible event to help you get inspired for your next campaign. Connect with the speakers by clicking on their names. Making marketing matter “What does it mean to be in marketing? Your job is to make a brand cool and don’t get it sued.” Nick Tran, former global head of marketing at TikTok “Be authentic. Trends aren’t one-size-fits-all. Do what works for your brand and each community.” Sarah Wieman, PRG Real Estate “In marketing, we don’t want to be order-takers. We want to be decision-makers. Stop treating yourself as support. Bring data to the table so you can come in with value.” Kelley Shannon, Bozzuto “For marketing to work in a silo, you might as well just go stand against the wall and bang your head. Getting more traffic isn’t the highest and best use of your marketing dollars. Educate your team about the value marketing brings to the table and how it impacts ROI.” Gigi Giannoni, Gables Residential “SEO should be a foundational element for you. Why would you put money in places with diminishing returns when you could make a winning long-term play?” Melissa Cartagena, Greystar Give renters what they want “We’re focused on our brand and the lifestyle, but we know from looking at our analytics, lifestyle images aren’t necessarily what sells. Lifestyle helps bring your story to life, but we need core property content and images to sell units.” Tim Hermeling, Cortland “Only 2% of residents say property management overcommunicates. And 45% of residents think their rent will stay the same or go down. Are you setting realistic expectations?” J. Turner Batdorf, J. Turner Research “A full 90% of renters are either interested in or won’t rent without soundproof walls. This feature ranks only slightly below air conditioning and in-unit laundry, and yet is advertised by very few properties.” Sarah Yaussi Pienik, NMHC Social media content is queen “We have not traditionally trusted our leasing teams with social media. But in reality, they’re the closest to your customers. Give them the power to create content. They can become the ultimate creators for you.” Kristi Fickert, Realync “You can reach so many more potential renters on Pinterest. Did you know 72% of users use Pinterest to decide what to buy offline?” Brooke Atsalis, The Management Group “I didn’t have any expectations when we tried TikTok, I just didn’t want to offend anyone. We’re in lease-up; we need velocity. We’ve gotten 74 leads. A very interested lead slid into our DMs. I’ve been pleasantly surprised.” Kira Brown, Wood Partners #REACHpeace The REACH team was also able to donate an additional $1,250 to Direct Relief International to provide aid in Ukraine because of engagement at the event. Thank you to all who participated. We look forward to seeing everyone next year at AIM...

Celebrate NSNCW 2022

It’s National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW)! Established by the American Health Care Association (ACHA) in 1967, this week-long observance recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and disabled population.    Skilled nursing care centers across the country are hosting events to mark the occasion, which runs through May 14. And this year’s theme — Creating and Nurturing Connections — is especially inspiring.   We’re here to share the meaning behind NSNCW and offer some ideas to celebrate. We hope you’ll join us in recognizing skilled nursing care centers, and their staff members, for all that they do to improve residents’ lives.   All about NSNCW Skilled nursing care centers and their staff are no stranger to dedication. They continuously strive to provide high-level care for their residents, no matter the circumstance. And we’ve seen just how committed they are throughout the last two years of the pandemic. They’ve worked to provide exceptional care without fail, protecting residents around the clock during periods of limited visitation and social distancing. Staff members became family members and friends when residents needed social connection more than ever. It’s why this year’s theme, developed by ACHA, is perfectly fitting. The focus of this year’s NSNCW is simple: celebrate the essential role that skilled nursing care centers and staff play in creating and nurturing connections for their residents. Learn more about the role of skilled nursing care centers and staff, as well as details on NSNCW 2022. ​How to celebrate Don’t miss your chance to celebrate NSNCW! Drawn from ACHA’s 2022 planning guide, we have a list of activities designed to help residents staff and families create new connections — and nurture existing ones. Working together, we encourage you to create and...

Senior Living Events

There’s no shortage of senior living events this year — but which are worth attending? How should providers fill their calendar for the remainder of 2022? While there are many trade shows packed with valuable takeaways, we’re here to share a few recommendations. These events offer opportunities to connect with experts, discover emerging solutions and ultimately, explore the future of the industry. You’ll find team Yardi in attendance at each, ready to greet you and answer questions about our senior living management software. Keep reading for a roundup of upcoming events to put on your radar. FALA Annual Conference & Tradeshow Happy 30 year anniversary to the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA)! With decades of industry success, FALA’s Annual Conference & Tradeshow is a fantastic setting to learn tips for navigating an ever-changing industry. Whether you’re eager to network with other professionals, receive updates about the latest industry trends or connect with vendors who can help you deliver better care, this year’s conference has it all. You’ll find team Yardi at booth 423. We’ll show you how our single connected solution helps providers streamline operations and deliver excellent care. Schedule time to connect with us at the conference. Event details: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando, Florida May 31-June 2, 2022 CALA Spring Conference & Trade Show Join over 900 providers and top decision makers at the 2022 CALA Spring Conference & Trade Show, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, executive directors, clinical staff, marketing professionals and more. You’ll tap into a wealth of resources and learn what’s driving the senior living industry forward. Be sure to meet our team at booth 52 where we’ll discuss how the Yardi Senior Living Suite works to empower staff, automate workflows and enhance resident satisfaction. Visit this page to schedule...

A Beautiful Mind

Are you a right-brained creative or a left-brained pragmatic? And when it comes to property marketing, which is better? That is the subject up for discussion at the Apartment Innovation and Marketing Conference (AIM) this year. For years, there has been a belief that people favor one side of the brain or the other. The theory goes that people with right-brain dominance tend to be imaginative while those with left-brain dominance are inclined to be logical. Recent research shows that the brain is not nearly as dichotomous as previously thought. In fact, many talents are strongest when both halves of the brain collaborate. “The pop psychology notion of a left brain and a right brain doesn’t capture their intimate working relationship,” science writer Carl Zimmer explained in an article for Discover magazine. That said, the popularity of the theory still holds out. People love to find out which is the dominant side of their brain. So why not take a quiz? Then get marketing tips geared toward each talent and learn how to marry the two for property marketing success at AIM 2022. Right-brained or left-brained? Take the quiz. Tips for right-brained marketers Right-brained marketers are intuitive and expressive with a strong interest in storytelling and visuals. Use your creativity to build a strong brand on social media. Focus on creating a compelling visual library that tells the story of your community.Stay up to speed on design trends in different industries — including fashion, interior and tech — then challenge the larger marketing team to incorporate them into initiatives collateral and website updates. Tips for left-brained marketers Left-brained marketers are planned and orderly with a strong interest in results and analytics. Take charge of your company’s paid search campaigns. Compile performance data or use...

ASCHA Trade Show

Looking for your next senior living event? We’ve got you covered. The annual ASCHA Convention & Trade Show is coming up on April 11-13 and it’s a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, discuss industry trends and see what’s new with Yardi solutions.   Keep reading to see the event details. ASCHA Trade Show set for April The ASCHA Convention & Trade Show is bound to be an interactive event. This year, ASCHA is gathering 400 senior and community housing organization leaders to discuss strategies for the industry’s future. You can check out the full event agenda for more information, but know that discussions will focus on taking the housing sector to The Next Level. And ASCHA is offering fun, strategic sessions for you to join forces with trailblazers from all levels and places. Get ready to network, view insightful presentations, enter giveaways and more. ASCHA 2022 will take place on April 11-13 at the WinSport in Alberta, Calgary. And if you’re unfamiliar with ASCHA, the Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association, here’s a quick introduction: ASCHA advocates on behalf of its members who provide housing options for Albertans. They’re a member-driven association acting as a center of excellence for education, best practices and member resources — all to assist seniors and community housing operators. Over 100 member organizations serve approximately 60,000 Albertans in seniors and community housing settings. Note that to attend ASCHA 2022, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours is required. Find Yardi at Booth 7 Each year, we get excited to see the lineup of senior living events and the opportunities they provide. And ASCHA 2022 is one we’re looking forward to! You can find Paul Alexa-Janzen, our senior account executive in senior living and product...

Talent Recruitment Mar29

Talent Recruitment

With multifamily property management – and businesses of all types – currently struggling to find enough staff as well as retain existing employees, a recent session at the Multifamily Social Media Summit focused on how social media can be utilized to find new hires and hold onto existing talent. Jennifer Staciokas, executive managing director for property management at Western Wealth Communities, and Jen Piccotti, chief learning officer at Swift Bunny, focused on practical takeaways that owners and managers can use immediately. Jennifer Staciokas, left, and Jen Piccotti speak at the Multifamily Social Media Summit in Napa. Photo by Leah Etling. “We have a problem out there right now. We can’t find people, and we can’t keep good people. That’s the number one thing we hear: ‘How do I find, hire, and retain employees?’” Piccotti said. Another common issue is that it is tempting to leave current staff in their existing roles due to the inability to find new hires. “We need every single employee we have and we need them in the positions they’re in currently. It can be very tempting to hold them in that position, but that’s the worst thing we can do,” she said. Here are five of the social media tips for attracting and retaining talent that the duo offered for companies to consider: Make it easy for applicants to use social media to apply for open positions. If you’re not already using LinkedIn to accept applications for open roles, you’re missing out on a huge pool of talent, Piccotti said. Today’s applicants expect to be able to apply for open roles with just a few clicks of their mouse. Up to 86 percent of new hires apply directly to their positions through LinkedIn or other job sites, a huge amount. From the very first contact, your brand matters. “Among prospective hires, 82 percent consider the employer’s brand before they submit that application,” Piccotti said. They’re considering factors like whether the executive leadership is respected by employees (often using Glassdoor’s rankings for this info), whether employees at the company are dedicated and hard-working, and whether the company has a supportive and positive culture. Caring about the community around you through support of non-profits, employee volunteerism and expression of corporate values is also important. Show new and current hires they have a chance to grow with you. This is a pivotal consideration for prospective employees, who want to see that they will have the chance to move up and advance in their careers. They’re also interested in future training opportunities to help broaden their skills. Ways to showcase include creating certificates for in-house training courses, celebrating current employee promotions, and talking about chances for lifelong learning at your company. “They want to see that there is opportunity, it’s not just going to be a dead end once they get their foot in the door,” Piccotti said. Showcase what employees have to gain from joining your team. This is the place where company culture can really stand out. What’s the employee culture like? Will they have a good time on the job, in addition to working hard? Examples of employee gains included posts from Bozzuto Group, which created SOUL, an employee resource group for members of the Black community. Another example was a creative Instagram job post from RedPeak of Denver, which described its culture as including “no scripts, no stuffy suits, no sales pitch.” Celebrate what’s special and unique about your company, daily. The most repeated acronym at the Multifamily Social Media Summit was UCG – user-generated content – and it also played a large role in the company case study presented by Jennifer Staciokas for Western Wealth Management (a Yardi client). She demonstrated the various ways that social media has played a positive role in hiring and retention of this growing, woman-led owner management firm based in Phoenix. “We’re a people first business. We’re not...

Coworking Trends Mar28

Coworking Trends

Yardi sought insight into a key office property management trend – flexible workspace arrangements – from a panel of clients at YASC Global. The three panelists, including Yael Urman, chief information officer for New York City-based commercial property developer Silverstein Properties, spelled out why the changing landscape requires greater flexibility. The days of the simple 15-year-lease-and-renew are over, Urman said, having been superseded by demands for work arrangement flexibility that can encompass everything from personalized work area coloring and furnishings to private offices. “We’re in the productivity, flexibility and well-being business now, not just providing four walls,” Urman said. “Our priority now is to offer any option that enables cooperation and enhances productivity for our clients.” Panelist Willie Gutierrez, COO/CFO of Premier Workspaces, an Irvine, Calif., coworking company that owns and leases flex office space, agreed that “it’s the experience, not the four walls” that matters for tenants in today’s office work environment. Gutierrez, whose company’s offerings include offices and conference rooms for as little as an hour, added that private offices for small and medium size businesses is Premier’s most popular offering. The third panelist, Brandon Van Orden, senior vice president and CIO for Atlanta office REIT Cousins Properties, senses a desire among workers to “get back in the office, collaborate in person and enjoy the social aspects of work. They still want big conference rooms for in-person meetings.” Accordingly, Van Orden and his Cousins colleagues describe their offerings as “flexible,” rather than “hybrid,” which implies that some workers remain permanently remote while others are permanently in the office. Cousins is also piloting technologies that create a seamless visitor experience that extends from the parking deck to the building entrance to the office, Van Orden said. Another key trend noted by the panelists...

Top Takeaways

The largest Multifamily Social Media Summit ever brought more brilliant suggestions to multifamily marketers on Thursday at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif. REACH by RentCafe is the social media, photo booth and platinum exhibit sponsor of the 10th anniversary event, which concludes today. Andrew Davis, acclaimed marketer, best-selling author and filmmaker, opened Day Two of the event with a humorous and engaging talk about how constraints – as small as technology challenges and as large as a worldwide pandemic  – ­­can breed creativity for any business. “I started to realize that this was really an unexpected experiment that we had been gifted,” Davis said of the unforgettable global events of the last two years. “It allowed us to ask: What happens when every business in the world is faced with the exact same disruptive forces?” The solution to extreme disruption, as presented by Davis, is to forget the adage “think outside the box” and instead go INSIDE a box that he calls “The Cube of Creativity.” Read on to learn how the Cube works and glean more takeaways from this trend-defining marketing event. The four sides of the Cube of Creativity Davis presented two dynamic case studies from non-housing businesses that faced extreme challenges during the pandemic. One was a flower delivery service that had to relocate its distribution channel to Ecuador because of California’s non-essential worker shutdown. Another was a sustainable farm that previously relied on in-person events for its livelihood. 1. Eliminate the unnecessary: Taking on dynamic new initiatives means that some existing work will have to drop off. “Ask yourself, what are we going to drop doing in order to pursue this brand new initiative,” Davis said. “Every time we take on something new, we have to kill...

Social Media in Focus

REACH by RentCafe is excited to be at the Multifamily Social Media Summit in Napa this week as the social media, photo booth and platinum exhibit sponsor of the event, which kicked off Wednesday afternoon. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, this edition of the #MultifamilySMS is the best attended ever, shared Adam Japko, founder of Esteem Media, which produces the conference. Multifamily providers from around the U.S. are on hand to gain knowledge, improve their social media marketing best practices, network and meet with industry vendors. A significant focus of the first day’s learning workshops was on the importance of User-Generated Content (UGC) to a successful and current social media strategy. Speakers Erica Byrum and Delany Duke both dedicated portions of their energetic presentations on how UGC, both from residents and employees in the multifamily housing realm, can generate trust and engagement from users. “In 2022, what makes good marketing is authenticity. The majority of consumers are looking for an authentic experience,” said Duke, digital services manager for Landmark Properties, a student housing provider. “UGC is important because it allows us to market our properties through the eyes and ears of our residents.” Three key statistics to consider: 92 percent of marketers think they’re creating authentic contentBut just 51 percent of consumers think their favorite brands offer authenticityMeanwhile nearly 80 percent of consumers say that UGC impacts their decision to make a purchase. Duke suggested a variety of ways to encourage staff and residents to create social posts, particularly videos for TikTok and reels for Instagram, which have become overwhelmingly popular especially for the Millennial and Gen Z demographics. Contests and giveaways, always a mainstay to encourage content, are one. Other ideas from both presenters include working with micro-influencers and harnessing the creativity of your site teams. Many marketers have struggled with how to create TikTok videos and reels that capture compelling housing content, and Byrum, co-author of Youtility for Real Estate, offered myriad suggestions to meet the challenge. “There’s definitely a niche audience on TikTok that loves a good apartment tour, and opportunities to tap into lifestyle drivers,” she said. Content like recipes, home décor, budget and finance tips, health and fitness and city highlights are all great fodder for housing-focused TikTok accounts that would reach renters. And when it comes to working with staff on on-site content for TikTok and Instagram, Duke offered advice that got big laughs: “The most common thing I hear from site teams is: ‘I’m not going to dance!’ But you don’t have to dance.” (Although you can, if you want to! And it will probably do well.) Here is a quick list of trend takeaways from Wednesday’s sessions: Spend time on the social channels where your residents are most engagedStrategically adapt your content strategy for social in accordance with today’s trendsBrand consistency takes you to the next level in marketingVideo content will continue to dominateMicro influencers may be among your residents – take advantage!Engage your on-site employees for UGCFair housing laws must still be followed on digital channels. Make sure your team is trained and educated If you’re in attendance at the event, meet REACH representatives at booth 36. Pick up a special gift, learn about the many ways REACH can improve your social media marketing, and snap fun photos at the  photo booth! You can also check out our free social media toolkit at https://bit.ly/3irV2Lc for resources and tips to keep you connected all week. Follow #MultifamilySMS to keep up with the event...

YASC GLOBAL

Yardi held three days of educational online programming for clients March 8-10. This year’s digital Global Yardi Advanced Solutions Conference (YASC) focused on how technology can help meet the needs of today’s real estate industry across multiple verticals. More than 15,000 Yardi clients worldwide attended the three day event, and viewed more than 300 classes covering all aspects of Yardi’s technology offerings. More than 100,000 classes were attended over the the three days. In today’s challenging economy, efforts to automate and improve processes wherever possible can help overcome staffing challenges. Yardi executives showcased the company’s multiple product suites during overview spotlight sessions, which can be of tremendous help for business efficiency. Read on for some of the highlights. Meeting the changing needs of commercial clients Perhaps no real estate sector has experienced more changes during the pandemic than commercial real estate. Many offices have sat dormant for months or more while employees worked from home. The retail and restaurant landscape has been altered greatly. And the industrial and self storage sectors have seen a huge boom in demand. More than two years since the first U.S. lockdowns, impacts are being observed across CRE, said Yardi senior vice president Rob Teel. “I spend a lot of time with our office clients, executives and users of Voyager and our commercial product suite. It is true that vacancy is starting to creep up. Occupancy numbers are hipping a little bit – though not as much as people thought would happen during the pandemic.” As a result, creative owners and managers are exploring alternative uses for office space. They include coworking, either self-managed or working with a partner, which the Yardi Kube suite is perfectly positioned to help manage. Others are turning to mixed use, which opens the...

YASC Global Mar01

YASC Global

The Yardi Advanced Solutions Conference, which gives real estate industry practitioners valuable insight into software innovations and industry issues, adapted to pandemic conditions with successful interactive virtual presentations in 2020 and 2021. That new tradition will continue March 8-10 with YASC Global, presented free to all Yardi clients. YASC Global delivers education and business growth with hundreds of on-demand classes and executive spotlight sessions. All class content from the May 2021 event is being recreated for YASC Global. Attendees can interact with colleagues and direct questions to Yardi experts via a proprietary live chat feature. All clients are automatically preregistered in YASC Global, making it easy for them to connect, innovate and grow in their business. As with previous virtual YASCs, the event will feature customized education content from the Yardi® Aspire platform. The virtual YASC presentations in 2020 and 2021 drew tens of thousands of participants from more than 60 countries. Along with YASC Global, Yardi is planning to offer in-person YASCs in San Diego, Sydney, London and Singapore in 2022. Learn more about YASC activities. Read client feedback on the value of...

GRESB Holds Key Dec07

GRESB Holds Key

The buildings sector accounts for about a quarter of Canada’s total final energy consumption and approximately 15% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when emissions are associated with electricity used in buildings, according to Efficiency Canada. Canada’s buildings, which require both heating and cooling, are particularly reliant on energy use, which in most cases produces carbon. The government has committed to cutting the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and is set to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Attaining these goals will require all sectors, including property management, to gain a clear understanding of their energy performance. That makes ESG a megatrend “that will continue to have a transformative impact on the industry,” says Richard Joy, executive director of Urban Land Institute Toronto. Gaining a deeper understanding of energy performance and how to improve it in 2022 will require real estate professionals to perform more energy benchmarking and better tracking of their buildings and portfolios’ energy performance. Leveraging accurate energy consumption data helps property owners confidently compare their performance against their own standards and others in their sector. Accessing this information in real time drives informed decision-making about productive building improvements and investments. “Technology and data analytics can assist with analyzing opportunities of growth and making better-informed investments,” notes Frank Magliocco, national real estate leader for PwC Canada. GRESB drives ESG insight A key resource for detailed energy performance information is the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), an organization that benchmarks real estate assets’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and provides standardized and validated ESG data to the capital markets. GRESB evaluations help real estate stakeholders improve their sustainability performance and satisfy growing investor demand for timely, reliable and accurate ESG information. The 2021 global GRESB evaluation measured...

Innovation Prevails Nov08

Innovation Prevails

The NMHC OPTECH Conference & Expo returns as an in-person gathering Nov. 8-10 in National Harbor, Maryland. 2021 NMHC OPTECH, presented by the National Multifamily Housing Council, provides multifamily property owners and operators with tools and insight that will help them compete and prepare for emerging challenges in the pandemic’s aftermath. Yardi is a top-tier Chair’s Circle Sponsor of the conference. Booth 401 is “where success happens” for attendees, featuring demos of: REACH by RentCafe®, which improves marketing ROI with advanced digital marketing services including SEO, PPC, social media, reputation management and performance analytics.RentCafe® Home IQ, which increases revenue and efficiency with smart home automation.ScreeningWorks® Pro, which mitigates fraud risk by seamlessly incorporating credit reports, rental history, income and other publicly reportable civil or criminal data in the leasing process.The Yardi® Multifamily Suite, which drives better results with a single connected solution for property management.Yardi® Breeze Premier, an easy-to-use, all-in-one marketing, management and accounting platform. Yardi also plays a central role in several presentations, starting with the opening general session, “Here Comes the Sun! Industry Leaders Look Forward to a Brighter Future.” Richard Malpica, Yardi vice president and Eastern region general manager, will moderate a discussion with industry leaders from KETTLER, CAPREIT and RKW Residential about opportunities in 2022. Also on Tuesday, Nov. 9, Chris Lindish, director of the REACH by RentCafe digital marketing agency, will present an express session on “Marketing Data Exposed: Uncovering Metrics that Drive Results.” The day will close with a panel moderated by Michael Tuer, Yardi vice president and Central region general manager. Panelists from BH Equities LLC, Mg Properties and Draper & Kramer will discuss “How to Make Better Technology Decisions” and share their approach to evaluating new technologies and striking a balance between organizational goals and role-based...

CALA Fall Conference

We’re back with another event recommendation, this time for the CALA 2021 Fall Conference & Trade Show. If you’re ready to connect with senior living leaders — and discuss the future of the industry — this is the conference for you. Meet CALA The California Assisted Living Association (CALA) is dedicated to the betterment of assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement communities. As the only association solely representing the state’s residential care facilities for seniors, they’re an industry leader. Their members include over 660 providers and 150-plus businesses, all supported through CALA’s leadership, advocacy and education. This year’s CALA Fall Conference is a great chance to reconnect with colleagues and re-engage your drive in senior living. More about the conference Filled with informative sessions and networking opportunities, the CALA Fall Conference attracts top decision makers, clinical staff, marketing professionals and more. It’s set to take place November 8-10 in Palm Springs, California. To explore the full show schedule, start here. CALA has an expansive list of their planned sessions. Note you’ll need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to attend the CALA Fall Conference. Their updated list of health and safety protocols can be found here. Back to the event sessions! From learning how to move forward with your business given the pandemic’s challenges, to learning about today’s top technology solutions, the conference has something for everyone. You can find team Yardi throughout the 3-day event, too. Be sure to stop by Booth #37, where we’ll chat about the Yardi Senior Living Suite — our single connected solution for senior living providers. We’ll show you how tools like Senior IQ can drive your business forward. We’re also pleased to be sponsoring the Awards Celebration Luncheon, planned for November 10 at 12:30...

NIC Fall Conference

With a range of industry events taking place this year, it’s an exciting time for senior living providers. There are several opportunities to learn, network and grow.  We’re here to share an upcoming event — an impactful conference that joins health care leaders and senior living executives. Check out the NIC 2021 Fall Conference: Investing in Seniors Housing & Care Properties.   The conference will take place on November 1-3 in Houston, Texas and is welcoming attendees in person. Yardi is pleased to be a sponsor of the event, as we partner with NIC to drive transparent data in the seniors housing sector. We hope you’ll attend to get an inside look.   Come together at NIC 2021 The 2021 conference marks the association’s first in-person event since the onset of the pandemic. With the goal of reuniting thousands of providers and stakeholders, NIC is gearing up to make this their best conference yet. It’s an exceptional opportunity to learn from business leaders across the industry. Specifically, the 67% of attendees who are senior-level executives. How can you drive your business forward now — and in a post-pandemic world? What new approaches can you take to care for residents? The 3-day event will be packed with discussions and answers. Note that NIC is requiring proof of vaccination to attend. You can explore the full scope of their health and safety measures here.   See what’s in store  Attendees can expect three days of educational programing focused on a variety of topics. If you’re ready to hear insights and perspectives from industry leaders, policy makers and more, this is the conference for you. According to NIC, topics will include: Capital for operationsDebt market trendsCase for investing in seniors housingForgotten middle marketMacroeconomic and capital market trendsPolicy...

RE Insight Oct18

RE Insight

Two major Canadian real estate conferences took place virtually in September. RealREIT focused on the impact of COVID-19 on real estate property classes while the Canadian Apartment Investment Conference offered owners, managers, developers, investors and others insight into the multi-unit residential market. Here are some key takeaways. Economic mixed bag. Although Canada has a high vaccination rate, global markets and supply chains are being impacted, a potential harbinger of a global slowdown. Rising automobile prices are contributing to inflation, which the Bank of Canada forecast at about 3% into 2023, above its 2% target. By summer 2021, thanks in part to Canada’s high vaccination rate, households began to spend the savings they amassed over the previous 18 months. In July, the country added 94,000 jobs, dropping the unemployment rate. “With the reopening of the economy and the strong progress on vaccinations have given us reason to be more optimistic about the direction of the economy,” said Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem. Uneven REIT performance. Prior to the pandemic, the Canadian real estate investment trust sector was booming, with the S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index reaching its highest value in 10 years. The sector has been battered since then and some REITs haven’t fully recovered. ESG acceleration. REITs have significantly expanded their commitment to environmental, social and governance practices in recent years, including environmental initiatives and renewable energy. REITs are also increasingly strengthening ESG performance transparency and accountability. “Rather than distract from it, the health issues are elevating the overall concern over ESG risk in the medium and long term,” said Sasha Njagulj, global head of ESG for CBRE Global Investors. Return-to-work options. The Delta variant caused many companies to postpone calling employees back to work. Some companies are devising hybrid, flexible work arrangements. Analysts...

Buildex Highlights Oct15

Buildex Highlights

The Buildex Amplified conference took place recently as a combined live and online event. A Yardi-hosted session, “Mastering Procurement Through the Power of Technology,” moderated by Heather Brady, national sales director for Yardi Canada Ltd., addressed software solutions used to automate invoice processing and manage vendor relations. The panel featured leaders from QuadReal Property Group, Ronmor Holdings Inc. and Wesgroup Properties LP. The session made clear to more than 100 virtual attendees, most of whom were vendors, that procurement technology is a crucial topic for the industry. Here are some highlights from the session: Changes in vendor management Wesgroup and Quadreal shared with the audience that they replaced paper cheques, invoices and work orders with an online portal, which improved vendor communication and enabled their teams to resolve disputes more efficiently. Sandeep Manak, Wesgroup’s CFO, said, “You’ve never heard of a vendor that doesn’t want to get paid quickly.” By generating better spend visibility and standardizing forms and processes  Yardi Procure to Pay “improved our vendor relationships. We are seeing their expectations change because of this.” Increasing organizational efficiency Panel participants reported that with fewer people doing more tasks in more locations, they needed a flexible platform that was accessible from remote locations. Christine Williams, vice president national operations and administration, residential, QuadReal Property Group, said, “Any technology we adopt must comply with our Single Sign On mandate and integrate with other solutions we use. Our IT group first evaluates technology we are considering ensuring it meets our security and functionality standards.” In addition, she noted, “we wanted to lower the number of touchpoints in our RFP process.” Shifts in vendor payments Wesgroup now executes up to 95% of its payments by EFT. “When the pandemic happened, our vendors were forced to switch [from...

Meet Yardi

The senior living industry has undergone extreme changes in the last year. But leaders are banding together to develop new roadmaps at this year’s LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO. Taking place in person on October 24-27 in Atlanta, Georgia, the event offers an opportunity to join the senior living conversation. How should you navigate the field today? What tools, services and practices can help your communities prosper? Experts and fellow attendees alike will share their answers.   Not to mention, you’ll have the chance to connect with team Yardi at Booth #1331. Our representatives will show you firsthand how technology drives success in senior living. Look ahead at LeadingAge 2021 LeadingAge is a dedicated senior living association working to help the next generation of older adults live their fullest life. They strive to empower their members to transform the aging experience for everyone. With that, they spearhead one of the industry’s biggest events each year — the LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO. The event is packed with four days of invaluable sessions that encourage learning, networking and more. You don’t want to miss this one. And despite going virtual in 2020, this year’s event will allow everyone to reunite in person. That said, LeadingAge is prioritizing your health and safety. Among their many protocols includes the requirement that all attendees, speakers and exhibitors show proof of vaccination. Read more about the event’s COVID-19 safety measures.   Visit Yardi Booth #1331 Ready to find the right tech-enabled tools for your organization? We invite you to stop by Yardi Booth #1331. Our team is excited to show you around the Yardi Senior Living Suite — a single connected solution for senior living management. Whatever questions you have, we’ll be there to answer them. You can expect...