Agenda
This all-day event will feature 4 specialized tracks, each offering a series of 45-minute breakout sessions. Attendees will benefit from a total of 14 hours of education and policy discussions, delivered by renowned instructors and industry professionals.
16+ Breakout Sessions:
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- 8 Educational Sessions: Covering best practices in rental operations and portfolio expansion.
- 8 Policy Round Table Discussions: Engaging in dynamic policy discussions to shape future legislative recommendations.
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Event Schedule:
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- Continental Breakfast: Start your day with a nourishing breakfast while networking with peers.
- Lunch Buffet: Enjoy a variety of delicious options to refuel for the afternoon sessions.
- Afternoon Snack: Take a break and recharge with light refreshments.
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Happy Hour:
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- Cap off the day with a social hour, recognizing volunteers and fostering further connections.
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Upon check-in, you will receive a printed copy of our event program. To ensure you capture every valuable insight, a digital version of the presentation slides and/or session summaries, as well as a digital Program Guide, which will contain links to all materials, will be provided via your registration email the morning of the conference.
4 Specialized Tracks
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8am - 9am | Expo Hall Exhibitors & Breakfast |
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8:15am - 8:50am Annual Business Meeting** RHAWA members-only eventGet ready for a thought-provoking experience with a diverse lineup of speakers. This event offers a unique opportunity to ENGAGE and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of rental housing, so join your RHAWA community at the 2024 Annual Business Meeting, held before the ENGAGE's morning keynote, and hear a State of the Association address with remarks from RHAWA President Sean Flynn and Deputy Director Melissa Canfield. The event will also recognize and install the Board of Directors and the Council of Regents. |
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9am - 9:15am Welcome |
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9:15am - 10:15am Morning KeynotePresented by George Petrie, CEO, Goodman Real Estateand Audrey Riddle, Goodman Real Estate George Petrie and Audrey Riddle will discuss the challenges and opportunities of operating a successful both market and subsidized rental buildings in Seattle. He will bring data and insight of a seasoned developer/operator on what changes could to lead a better housing economy for everyone. |
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10:15am - 10:30am | Expo Hall Networking & Exhibitors |
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10:30am - 11:15am Breakout Sessions
Before leasing up a rental property, there's a lot the owner needs to prepare. Learn all about local laws, registration and inspection and/or licensing, and how to set up solid rental policies. Speaker: Cory Brewer, VP Residential Operations, Windermere Property Management/Lori Gill & Associates
Zoning Changes for Infill Housing Land use attorney, Ian Morrison will lead a panel discussion on recent zoning changes that will soon impact urban neighborhoods across Washington State. What are the anticipated outcomes and what else is needed to encourage meaningful impact on Washington's housing shortage? Panelists: Rep. Andrew Barkis | Alex Brennan, Executive Director, Futurewise Moderator: Ian Morrison, Land Use Attorney, McCullough Hill
Another legislative session and another battle to defeat rent control. But how long can this go on? This session will review the political research of who supports rent control and why and discuss alternatives and strategies to prepare to once again the expected assault this next legislative session. Speakers: Sen. Mark Mullet | Morgan Shook, EcoNW
Tips & Tools for Housing Advocacy - Speaker Training Component Engaging with lawmakers is the most nuanced part of our advocacy efforts and it is important to understand the most effective way to do so. In this session, we will teach you the most productive methods of individual advocacy as well as give you guidance on how to talk to elected officials about your experiences and the issues you face as a small housing provider. Speakers: Krystelle Purkey, WMFHA Lobbyist | Daniel Klemme, RHAWA Government Affairs & Membership Development |
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11:15am - 11:30am | Expo Hall Networking & Exhibitors |
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11:30am - 12:15pm Breakout Sessions
The best path toward a positive tenancy is diligent screening. Learn to make good choices while complying with fair housing laws and local tenant protections. Speaker: Chris Benis, Attorney, First Avenue Law Group
Small Multifamily Development: Barriers & Potential Solutions Those wanting to capitalize on upcoming urban zoning changes to add 1 to three units to single-family properties will still face daunting roadblocks. In this round-table discussion, experts in permitting, city planning, financing and building will debrief one or more real projects to identify possible improvements to the process. Panelists: Eric Aasness, CMG Home Loans | TBD Moderator: Randy Bannecker President, Bannecker Public Affairs
Providing rental assistance to tenants has proven to be the best way to help tenants avoid eviction for non-payment of rent when they are facing challenging financial situations. COVID-era rental assistance helped thousands of Washington state tenants keep their homes. However, that rental assistance went away resulting in these same tenants facing evictions. The Tenant Assistance Program (TAP) would harness the resources of state and local governments – potentially in partnership with major philanthropic organizations – to develop a program of short-term rental assistance for those in acute financial distress. Panelists: Rep. Andrew Barkis | Shkelqim Kelmendi, Founder & CEO, Housing Connector Moderator: Audrey Riddle, IMPACT Program Ambassador, Goodman Real Estate
Strength in Numbers: Lessons Learned in Tacoma Through Effective Advocacy Coalitions Last fall the Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA), Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors (TPCAR), Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, and Washington Multifamily Housing Association (WMFHA) joined forces to fight back against Tacoma’s ballot Measure 1. At this session you will discover the transformative power of cooperation as we explore the strategic advantages of collaborative advocacy efforts through the lens of trade associations and coalitions. Learn how we built and sustained powerful alliances, harnessed our combined strength of diverse stakeholders to amplify our advocacy impact, and how we will leverage lesson learned from these efforts to achieve meaningful policy outcomes into future campaigns. Speakers: Jim Henderson, Landlord Solutions | Ryan Makinster, Government Affairs Director, WMFHA | Sean Flynn, President & Executive Director, RHAWA | Sean Martin, CEO, TPCAR |
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12:15pm - 1:30pm Lunch, Networking & Exhibitors |
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1:30pm - 2:15pm Breakout Sessions
Some tenants seem overly demanding, while others may not communicate at all. Learn how to efficiently manage rental operations, including complaints, repair requests and general maintenance, with all types of tenants while staying compliant with state and local laws. Speaker: Christopher Cutting, Attorney, LT Services & Cutting Law Office
Developing Manufactured Home Communities Compared to traditional housing, Manufactured Home Communities offer a cost-effective alternative where residents benefit from home ownership, while renting the real property. Recent regulatory changes have been focused on park preservation and many of the possible solutions are a win-win for tenants and owners alike. Hear about the benefits and challenges of developing and owning manufactured home communities and how the changing regulatory landscape may impact this area of the housing industry. Panelists: Rep. April Connors, TBD Moderator: Chester Baldwin, MHCW Executive Director
Tenant Safety & Eviction Reform The system is broken, and it’s time to fix it. This session will provide an overview of the current challenges to housing providers in the eviction process, case study in real time eviction challenges, and RHAWA’s proposals to reform the system. Panelists: Adison Richards, Attorney, Thurston Co. Legal Services | Jim Henderson, LandlordSolutions | Jason Roth, Independent Rental Housing Provider Moderator: Synthia Melton, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Dimension Law Group
Media Matters: How the Media Covers Housing How does the media cover our industry and what do they view as the main issues? What are they being told from all different viewpoints as they interview and speak to members of other housing organizations and the public? How do they believe Washington can repair the broken eviction system as well as incentivize builders and other investors to continue building rental housing in Washington State to chip away at our housing shortage? Hear what they have learned from speaking with elected officials and housing organizations all over the state on ideas for coming together to fix the industry. Panelists: Alex Hays, Principal, AB Hays | Brandi Kruse, Journalist & Political Commentator | Sue Lani Madsen, Freelance Journalist, TBD Moderator: Laudan Espinoza, Principal Consultant, Cascade Public Relations |
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2:15pm - 2:30pm | Expo Hall Networking & Exhibitors |
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2:30pm - 3:15pm Breakout Sessions
All tenancies eventually come to an end. Whether through ordinary circumstances or the result of lease default, these endings can be fraught with conflict. Learn how to smoothly handle deposit returns and other issues with minimal drama while staying compliant with state and local laws. Speaker: Maxwell Glasson, Attorney, William Kastner
Large Multifamily Development: Barriers & Potential Solutions Construction of large multifamily communities and highrises can take years to work through the red tape and roadblocks before even breaking ground. A round-table panel including financing, city planning, permitting and construction will share ideas on streamlining large multifamily construction projects. Panelists: Emily Thompson, Partner, GMD Development | Ian Morrison, Attorney, McCullough Hill | Kevin Wallace, President, Wallace Properties Moderator: Ian Warner, Public Policy Director, Vulcan Real Estate
It started in Seattle and has spread to Bellingham, Tacoma, Olympia, and beyond. Over a dozen cities and counties across the state either have been or will be considering new rental restrictions. Listen to those on the front lines who have experienced this bug and how you can begin to inoculate your local elected officials from being infected. Panelists: Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis | Sara Nelson, Seattle City Council President | Michael Cathcart, City Council Member Moderator: Sean Flynn, President & Executive Director, RHAWA
How does the media cover our industry and what do they view as the main issues? What are they being told from all different viewpoints as they interview and speak to members of other housing organizations and the public? How do they believe Washington can repair the broken eviction system as well as incentivize builders and other investors to continue building rental housing in Washington State to chip away at our housing shortage? Hear what they have learned from speaking with elected officials and housing organizations all over the state on ideas for coming together to fix the industry. Speakers: Chester Baldwin, RHAWA Lobbyist | Mary Hull-Drury, Government Affairs Director, WA Realtors | Rod Kauffman, President, BOMA ^ Top |
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3:15pm - 3:30pm | Expo Hall Networking & Exhibitors |
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3:30pm - 4:30pm Afternoon Keynote |
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STATE PUBLIC OFFICIALS
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CITY PUBLIC OFFICIALS
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OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS
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Only interested in attending the happy hour, you can purchase a ticket for this event alone for $30 - please note that this ticket does not include access to the conference sessions. ^ Top |
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Formal legal advice and review are recommended prior to the selection and use of this information. RHAWA does not represent your selection or execution of this information as appropriate for your specific circumstance. The material contained and represented herein, although obtained from reliable sources, is not considered legal advice or to be used as a substitution for legal counsel.