AGENDA

IREM® Tri-State Conference & Expo 2025

Wednesday, February 5, 2025


3:00-5:30 p.m. | Registration & Exhibitor Setup

Exhibitors can get a jump start on the following day by registering early and getting their exhibit space set up.

Thursday, February 6, 2025


8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Registration

Stop by the registration desk to sign in and receive your name badge, program, and more.


8:00-11:30 a.m. | Exhibitor Set Up

If you missed the Wednesday night set up, now is the time to set up before the Expo Hall opens.


8:00-9:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast

Start your day catching up with colleagues while enjoying a continental breakfast. Grab a cup or two of coffee and fuel up for conference day.


9:00-9:45 a.m.
|
Three Concurrent Education Sessions

① Maintenance Best Practices & Building Collaborative Teams
Speakers:
Erin Devlin, Vice President of Property Management Training & Compliance, California Commercial Investment Group; and Erica Bishop, Vice President of Strategic Planning, California Commercial Investment Group
The objective of this session is to explore maintenance best practices while emphasizing the critical role technicians play as integral members of the team.  We will identify strategies for optimizing processes to ensure proactive and efficient operations and foster a culture of collaboration. By engaging our maintenance teams, we can create an environment where technicians feel valued, empowered, and aligned with broader organizational goals, leading to improved performance, safety and team cohesion.
Sponsored by: Chadwell Supply

② The Project Hat Trick: The Basics of A/E/C for Property Managers
Speakers:
James Trynosky, Executive Vice President, The Falcon Group; and Briana Arvay, Vice President of Strategic Planning, The Falcon Group
Have a design or construction project, but are unsure which team to call? Is it mechanical, structural, architectural? Or should I go directly to a contractor? One of the many hats a property manager juggles is finding qualified architects, engineers, and construction professionals to support your building projects. The Falcon Group offers a quick guide on who to contact for common issues and best practices for working with each.
Sponsored by: The Falcon Group

③ TBD
Speakers: TBD


9:45-10:00 a.m. | Snack Break and Beverages

In between sessions make sure to recharge with a snack and a cup of coffee, water or other beverage.


10:00-10:45 a.m. | Three Concurrent Education Sessions

① Strategies for Preventing and Diffusing Aggressive Behavior
Speaker:
James McGinty, Training Director Mid-Atlantic Region, Allied Universal
It is inevitable that we will have to deal with difficult people at some point in our careers. It could involve a tenant, visitor, contractor or even a co-worker. There is no simple explanation why some people are hard to deal with, it can involve a variety of reasons, and this is something we need to recognize and be ready to manage. In this session we will discuss behavior and intervention; mental conditioning; plan, identify and act; methods and communication; non-verbal communication; personal space; the reactionary distance; eye communications; gestures, postures and facial expressions; and signals to look for and understand.

② Emotional Support Animal Masterclass: Catching Fraud and Staying Compliant
Speaker:
Logan Miller, Co-Founder, OurPetPolicy.com
This session will focus on the legal and regulatory obligations of housing providers when verifying Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and Service Animal documentation. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of federal laws, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA) as interpreted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and their implications for property managers. We will discuss common legal challenges, such as improperly handling verification requests or denying accommodations, and address the increasing prevalence of fraudulent ESA documentation purchased online. Attendees will learn effective strategies to identify and mitigate fraud while ensuring compliance with HUD guidelines. The session will conclude with a Q&A segment to provide tailored guidance on compliance and risk management.

③ Powering Down as a Property Manager
Speaker:
Ishea Shepherd, Vice President, AMC Delancey
Explore effective strategies and real-life scenarios to promote rest, reduce stress, and create an environment that fosters employee well-being. Learn techniques to recognize personal limits and effectively recharge. Learn strategies for managers to foster a healthy work-life balance for their teams. Discuss actionable steps to cultivate a collective culture focused on well-being and productivity.


10:45-11:00 a.m. | Snack Break and Beverages

In between sessions make sure to recharge with a snack and a cup of coffee, water or other beverage.


11:00-11:45 a.m. | Three Concurrent Education Sessions

① AI Session
Speakers:
Renee McIntyre, Vice President of Marketing, Scully Company; and Ellen Thompson, Founder & CEO, Respage and Results Repeat

② HOTMA for Multifamily
Speakers: Dean Santa
and
Andrea Napoli, HUD

③ Litigation 101
Speaker:
Andrew Podolski, Esq., Shareholder, Stark & Stark
This seminar will include an examination and breakdown of the typical litigation process, including a discussion on how state and federal courts are structured and how the litigation process generally works. The seminar will cover topics such as: the initial filing of a complaint and the various causes of action (i.e. types of claims) common to the real estate management industry, the discovery process, depositions (including fun “war” stories and tips for witnesses at deposition), experts, mediation/arbitration, pre-trial and trial practice, and appeals.  
Sponsored by: Stark & Stark


11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Break


12:30-2:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch with Exhibitors and Sponsors (Expo Hall Open)

Enjoy a networking lunch with our exhibitors and sponsors outside the Expo Hall. The Expo will be open during lunch, so head inside to start networking and find the right vendor for whatever needs your property might have. From pest control to software to pressure washing to painting, you can find the right company for the job.


2:00-4:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Open with Snack Stations & Bar Open 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Make sure to grab a Bingo card in the Expo Hall. Have your Bingo card stamped as you visit sponsors and win prizes! You’ll also be able to enjoy a virtual golf simulator, massage station, shoe shine station, and more during the Expo Hall.


4:00-6:30 p.m. | Break

These 2.5 hours are yours. Go relax in your room. Head to the casino. Do a little shopping. Catch up on emails. Take this time to recharge and get ready for dinner after a full day of education and networking.


6:30-9:00 p.m. | Dinner on Your Own

Enjoy dinner at one of Ocean’s more than 15 excellent restaurants.


9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. | HQ2 After Party

The Tri-State Conference is perhaps best known for the After Party! Come dance the night away and enjoy a night off from the responsibilities of your property management job.

Friday, February 7, 2025


8:45-9:45 a.m. | Breakfast and Awards

After a great night, you’ll need coffee and food. Trust us. Come enjoy a hearty breakfast as we celebrate significant milestones and give awards to worthy association members and partners.


10:00-12:45 p.m. | Fair Housing Session (Separate Registration Fee Required)

Speaker: A.J. Johnson, President, A.J. Johnson Consulting Services, Inc.
This 2.5-hour course on Fair Housing satisfies the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission required topic for the 2024-2026 continuing education cycle and fulfills a 2-hour elective course for the New Jersey Real Estate Commission for the 2023-2025 continuing education cycle. Approval in both states is currently pending.
Read a course summary here. To attend the Fair Housing course, an additional $40 is required to attend with continuing education credits OR $20 without continuing education credits.


12:45 p.m. | Conference Ends with Grab and Go Snacks