Promoted Event

2013 WMA Convention & Expo
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, NV

You are cordially invited to join us in Reno for education, networking, good times and more. This is a fast paced two-day, nonstop action-packed Convention—we hope to see you there!

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Providing the best hotel service and amenities is an art that the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has perfected over 40 years. Peppermill holds the AAA Four Diamond rating for hospitality industry excellence, and is voted one of Reno’s best resort hotels year after year by leading hospitality and gaming publications. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino presents a fusion of old-world hotel style, service, and aesthetics with contemporary luxury hotel amenities. Each hotel room and suite feature comfortable accommodations and luxurious bedding with custom-made plush double-pillow-top mattresses and 42” wall-mounted LCD high-def televisions.

Room Reservations

Please make your hotel reservations directly with the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino. The cut-off date for reservations is September 9th. Reservations received after September 9th will be accepted on a space-and-rate-availability basis.

Dates: October 14-17, 2013
Group Name: AWMHC13

You can make your reservation in one of three ways:

  • Make your reservation online by clicking the Group Name code link above;
  • Call the hotel at 800.282.2444 to make your reservation over the phone;
  • Email the Hotel Reservation Form linked on this page to mcostanza@peppermillreno.com.

Convention Registration

You can register online, or print the registration form linked on this page and send your completed registration form with payment to the WMA office.

Registration Fees

                       Before Sept. 13th        On or After Sept. 14th
Member            $425 pp                      $495 pp
Non-Member     $850 pp                      $990 pp

Cancellations
For a full refund, cancellations must be received on or before September 9, 2013; an 85% refund for cancellations received September 10 through September 20, 2013. No refunds for no-shows, cancellations or event tickets on or after September 21, 2013. Contact Regina Sànchez
immediately for cancellations.

Education, Networking and Entertainment

As you well know, business as usual in today’s continuing challenging economy just won’t cut it. Owners rely on their management teams or companies to find opportunities to ensure the successful operation of their communities. For you, on a professional level, we’ll blend educational programs with entertainment and networking forums so that you’ll have everything you need to succeed in this business.

This year’s Convention will feature seminars with industry experts focused on shaping our future and our communities. Sessions will cover practical business issues and provide opportunities to network with other industry leaders.

Expo

By popular demand, we will once again open the Expo with a wine tasting event. Connect with exhibitors, who will feature delicious California wines while you network. We will offer you a full day of Expo events the second day, as dynamic Expo will make your attendance worthwhile! Exhibitors can find Exhibitor Packet and Floor Plan linked on this page.

Golf Tournament

Monday, October 14, 2013, 11:00 a.m. Shotgun start at ArrowCreek Country Club—The Legend Course

Pick up the phone and get your foursomes together and come out for this year’s WMA Convention Golf Tournament. Every year, this tournament benefits the Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation!

ArrowCreek Country Club offers a full range of first class golf amenities. A full driving range, chipping green, and practice putting course are among the club’s challenging golf facilities. Matching world-class caliber golf courses and extensive practice facilities allow tournament players to improve their skills and prepare their game. ArrowCreek Country Club offers an exceptional golf club experience. Two superlative championship golf courses, “The Legend”, designed by Arnold Palmer and “The Challenge”, by Fuzzy Zoeller and John Harbottle III, provide enjoyable golf for players of all levels. Both courses are striking to the eye as they are challenging to your game.

The tournament will take place on The Legend course, 18 championship holes of golf spanning 7,025 yards with more than 700 feet of dramatic elevation change. The winding course, which is open to the public, is characterized by its devious forced carries and lightning fast greens, both of which add up to a course that is as challenging as it is impressive. Beautiful native grasses and shrubs accent The Legend course, which is highlighted by ravines, dry creek beds and rocks, and some of the most stunning mountain and city views in the area. The magnificent setting of The Legend course lends players the impression of being away from—and above—it all, making for a truly memorable experience.

ArrowCreek Country Club enjoys a ranking in Golf Digest’s list of “Places to Play” and with its gorgeous courses and luxurious amenities; it’s easy to see why. The impressive clubhouse stretches 24,000 square feet and includes fine and casual dining, private lounges and a fully-stocked pro shop for the latest in golf apparel and accessories.

The course is located at 2905 ArrowCreek Parkway, Reno, NV 89511-5324; 775.850.4653. From the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, head south on South Virginia Street toward Peppermill Lane. Turn left onto East Moana Lane. Turn right to merge onto I-580 South and travel approximately 5.3 miles. Take exit 59 for Damonte Ranch Parkway. Make a right onto Damonte Ranch Parkway after .3 miles. Continue onto Arrowcreek Parkway and the golf course will be on your right after 3.7 miles.

Highlights

Kick-Off Breakfast – Tuesday, October 15
Set your alarm clocks the night before because you’re invited to an early morning breakfast beginning at 9:00 a.m.! This is the first official function at this year’s Convention. We are going to kick this morning off with a delicious and sumptuous breakfast while giving you ample opportunity to network with friends. Remember, there’s always a new face in the crowd―introduce yourself and welcome new members. Make them feel good about joining WMA and being a part of this wonderful resourceful organization!

President Fran Hirsch will welcome you and officially open the 2013 WMA Convention and Expo. After breakfast, you’ll learn who the scholarship recipients are from this year’s Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation. Greg Evans will present scholarships to this year’s deserving youth residing in WMA-member communities. Perhaps one of them is from your community! After that, WMA’s legislative advocate, Catherine Borg, will give a brief legislative update and announce the winners of WMA’s hotly contested golf tournament held on Monday, October 14 at the ArrowCreek Country Club.

To benefit the Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation…
Since 1999, the Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation has awarded college scholarships to deserving college-bound youth residing in WMA-member communities. Much of the money given away comes through generous contributions to the Foundation from people like you! The popular cash drawing continues this year. The presentation is made at the President’s Dinner Dance. We are appealing to you to make a $100 contribution toward this drawing, and then to purchase a chance to win when you get there. This is such a worthy cause. Your $100 donation towards the cash drawing is fully tax deductible.

To donate, simply sign up on the registration form. If you require more information, call Regina Sánchez at 800.669.8847.

Expo & Welcome Reception – Tuesday, October 15
It’s become a tradition! You LOVE our wine tasting event as we open the Expo. We’ve planned another exciting show for you! Exhibitors have been invited to bring their favorite wines again! This is always a great time to reconnect with other Expo attendees or get to know new people! The Expo continues Wednesday, stopping only for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon. Stop in between seminars! You’ll experience a dynamic day interacting with outstanding exhibitors who represent cutting edge products and services of the industry. Drawings will be held at the close of Expo on Wednesday.

Annual Meeting & Luncheon – Wednesday, October 16
Take a well-deserved break from the fast paced action of the Expo and educational seminars. Join us for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon. It is a great opportunity to be introduced to new members, as well as continuing members of WMA’s leadership―all in one place.

A lovely plated lunch is provided―delicious food and drink to satisfy your hungry appetite. Then we will proceed with our formal program. The Craig Biddle/Don Durant PAC Award will be presented to a deserving member whose political contributions have stood out above and beyond all those who continuously support WMA. The President’s Award will also be presented to another member whose selfless contributions have impacted the industry. During the Annual Meeting, you’ll learn the state of WMA, as well as see the new Board of Directors for 2013-2014 elected and sworn in.

Once all the business dealings have been attended to, sit back and laugh with Will Durst. Acknowledged by peers and press alike as one of the premier political satirists in the country, Will Durst has patched together a comedy quilt of a career, weaving together columns, books, radio and television commentaries, acting, voice overs and most especially, stand-up comedy, into a hilarious patchwork of outraged and outrageous common sense. His abiding motto is “You can’t make stuff up like this.” The New York Times calls him “possibly the best political comic in the country.” Fox News agrees “he’s a great political satirist,” while the Oregonian hails him as a “hilarious stand-up journalist.” This former radio talk host, oyster shucker, and margarine smuggler currently writes a nationally syndicated humor column, and his scribblings have appeared in Esquire, George, the San Francisco Chronicle, National Lampoon, The New York Times and scads of other periodicals.

Don’t be in such hurry! We didn’t forget dessert. Come into the Expo and enjoy your dessert as you visit our exhibitors one more time!

President’s Dinner Dance — Wednesday, October 16
You are cordially invited to WMA’s signature black tie event. It will be held on Wednesday evening in a beautifully appointed ballroom. Dress to impress! We will be there to warmly welcome you―our honored guests―to the annually anticipated President’s Dinner Dance. As you walk into the exquisitely decorated ballroom, you know that an enchanting evening awaits you. The magic begins the moment you arrive. Join family, friends and colleagues for a sumptuous meal paired with exceptional wines. Then sit back and celebrate as the new President of the WMA Board of Directors, Alex Boggs, is sworn into office and delivers his inaugural address. Next, join us in feting the 2013 recipient of WMA’s most recognized and esteemed honor: The Busch, Carr & McAdoo Memorial Award.

Finally, after we have wrapped up the business end of our evening, prepare to dance and party the rest of the night away to the music of The Jeff Leep Orchestra. The Jeff Leep Orchestra is Reno and Tahoe’s premiere contemporary party ensemble. The orchestra is extremely versatile, and performs easy listening jazz and pop instruments background music at very low volumes, as well as rocks energetically with music from the ‘40s to today’s sounds. With top notch equipment, musicianship, and lengthy song list as a foundation, Jeff Leep follows the flow of every event to make sure the appropriate music is being played at any moment. A band this versatile, we’re certain everyone will be out of their chairs to get the party started! We promise this will be evening you will long remember!

Seminars

Business Succession Planning
Founders of self-made business success struggle with how to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive as we age. Will our children be interested in carrying on? Will they have the brains and energy? This seminar will address these issues and more, with practical suggestions on how to successfully transfer management and control of income property assets to the next generation and beyond. The allotted time will consist of general information and practical tips for avoiding asset depleting squabbles among family members who may lack experience or desire in property management. (Mike Mihelich) Tuesday, October 15, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Community Closures: Where? When? Why? And How?
Long-time industry attorneys will explain the nuts and bolts of community closures and explore how the industry issue of community closures will be impacted by court and legislative trends and decisions in the coming months and years. The reasons for and against community closure will be explored and the ongoing concern of “relocation benefits” will be discussed at length. Bring your questions for an hour of one of the “cutting edge” issues of our industry.” (Bill Dahlin, Margaret Ecker Nanda, and John Pentecost) Tuesday, October 15, 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Health Care Reform Update: Understanding Exchanges, Penalties & Shared Responsibilities
Mark Sieben, owner of AG Sieben and Associates, will present a seminar on the Affordable Care Act and its impacts on manufactured housing community owners. Mark will discuss how to deal with the new exchanges, whether or not you should provide insurance or pay the penalty, future deadlines, employer mandates and other considerations for employers trying to navigate the new health care law. Tuesday, October 15, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Human Resources: Top 10 Ways to Stay Out of Court    
This presentation is done in a fast paced David Letterman Top Ten List style. The speaker describes various real life situations California Employers Association has seen that have resulted in law suits for employers.  The presentation is geared around preventative measures business owners and managers can easily put into place to help them “Stay Out of Court”. Complete with handouts and take-aways, this engaging and interactive session allows for a lot of audience participation and Q&A! Topics to be covered include:  Establishing hiring ground rules; Understanding California Leave Laws; Ensuring exempt employees are really exempt; Breaks and Lunches; Protected Classes; Harassment Avoidance; Being a Coach. (Kim Parker) Tuesday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Internet Concierge
The role of marketing is to create the right environment that causes people to want to visit your community. The Internet Concierge program will transform the way you build relationships with new prospects and close more sales. (Joseph Adams) Tuesday, October 15, 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Is Solar Right for You?
This seminar will answer all your questions about your electrical utility system in your community. A panel of four community owners who have installed solar in their communities will answer your questions about government rules and regulation, costs and benefits of going green. (Malcolm Tuttleton, facilitator; John Grant, Wynn Hornburg, Larz McAdoo, and Bill Talley) Wednesday, October 16, 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Legal Management Advice
As laws change and court decisions are handed down, it becomes necessary to adjust our business practices to keep pace with the changes. Two seminars will focus on recent developments in the industry and the adjustments owners need to make. These open forums will bring together leading industry attorneys and property managers to answer your questions and address your concerns. (Dana St.Clair and Mike Cirillo, facilitators) Tuesday, October 15, 2:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (St.Clair); Wednesday, October 16, 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Cirillo)

Listening to Sell
Understand how personal value beliefs may be hindering your sales presentation. Poor listening habits that lose sales are identified. How to improve listening skills is made clear. An increase in close ratios and resident referrals will result. (Joseph Adams) Tuesday, October 15, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

MCM: HCD Updates
This seminar will cover a little bit of everything. Topics will include the upcoming amendments to Title 25 (yes, again), park rules vs. HCD regulations, when and what permits are required, and since we haven’t discussed it for a while, moving lot lines. As always there will be plenty of Q and A time. (Brad Harward and Steve Leach) Tuesday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., with repeat from 2:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

MCM: Resident Relations—from Cradle (inception of tenancy) to the Grave (termination of tenancy)
In this high energy seminar we will discuss the inception of tenancy all the way through termination of tenancy. How to advise residents of their and the community’s rights when they intend to sell their home. You will learn tips on what information to request from prospective purchasers in an application, and how to make sure the community is made whole prior to any new resident occupying the home. We will also instruct management/ownership on how to deal with residents who complain about cigarette smokers, marijuana growers, and potential rules to help manage these situations. Pets (service and companion animals) and caregivers in the community will also be covered. The final category will be a Q&A session where attendees can ask questions of an attorney and management expert without having to pay for it!  (Joseph Carroll and Ruben Garcia) Wednesday, October 16, 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

MCM: Service Animals/ADA (Caregivers and Caretakers)
Join us for an exciting MCM course on unraveling the mysteries and complexities of managing everyday issues within manufactured housing communities. Numerous topics will be covered including ADA, Service Animals, Caretakers and Caregivers, Home Removal, Vacant Lots, Marketing and Filling Spaces. (Candace Holcombe, Ron Javor and Tom Kroesche) Wednesday, October 16, 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

MCM: Successfully Building the Resident File
Come to this seminar and learn what every community should have in a resident’s file. It will cover everything from the initial application, to tenancy, to the end of tenancy.  (Larry Weaver) Wednesday, October 16, 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

MCM: Terminating Tenancies
The eviction process: why is this taking so long and costing so much? Our panel of young lawyers will provide new perspectives based on their current experiences in and out of court. Big changes are happening in California courts, so we all need to be well prepared for the new (not good) normal. Learn how to avoid common mistakes and how to provide persuasive evidence in court. (Mike Mihelich) Tuesday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

MCM: What You Don’t Know May Harm You!
Sometimes there are no do-overs! Not being able to make informed decisions can result in serious consequences. Community owners have a vested interest in getting as much information as possible from WMA seminars. This will be a comprehensive discussion of situations, if not acted on correctly, or in a timely manner, may result in loss of income, time, or new business. This will be an expert panel from management, insurance, and legal areas. Panel members will relay scenarios of events that have taken place where owners/onsite managers, without the correct guidance have made mistakes and how those mistakes could have been prevented. New and old information will be presented that attendees may not know, or may have forgotten. This session will help the owners/on-site managers run a more streamed-lined and efficient property. Informational handouts will be given out which will be a helpful reminder to property owners/on-site managers regarding the ideas and situations that were discussed. (Jim Joffe, facilitator; Gregory Beam, Tiffany Joffe and Thomas Pacelli) Wednesday, October 16, 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Update on New Laws
Laws impacting the industry change from year to year. This seminar will bring you current on recent legislative measures and how they impact you at all levels of operation in your communities. WMA’s legislative advocates, along with advisors to the WMA Legislative Committee, will present the latest laws affecting the industry. (Catherine Borg, Terry Dowdall, and Paul Jensen) Tuesday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., with repeat on Wednesday, October 16 from 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Seminars and/or speakers subject to change. You can find a seminar schedule linked on this page.

Schedule

Monday, October 14, 2013

Golf Tournament (optional) at ArrowCreek Country Club
10:00 a.m. Golf Registration
11:00 p.m. Shotgun Start

Badges/Tickets Pick Up for Pre-registered Convention Attendees
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Networking Cocktail Reception
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Registration Opens at 8:00 a.m.

Kickoff Breakfast
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Educational Seminars
10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch on Own

Educational Seminars
2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Expo Opens with the Welcome Reception
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Registration Opens at 8:00 a.m.

Expo Hours
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Breakfast in Expo
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Educational Seminars
9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m

Pre-Lunch Cocktails in Expo
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Annual Meeting & Luncheon
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Desserts in Expo
1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Educational Seminars
2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Grand Prize Drawings in Expo
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Expo Closes at 5:00 p.m.

President’s Dinner Dance
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Final Breakfast
8:00 a.m.

2013 WMA Convention & Expo Closes

Sponsors

WMA Gratefully Acknowledges the Major Sponsors

PLATINUM

Advantage Homes/Realty World

Capital Insurance Group

(Represented by Southwestern Insurance Agency and Alvarado Pacific Insurance Services)

JB Bostick Company, Inc.

Shorebreak Energy Developers

GOLD

Marcus & Millichap

PanAmerican Insurance Agency, Inc.

(with Preferred Employers Insurance Company)

The Bank of Hemet

Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital

SILVER

Horizon Solar Power

BRONZE

Credit Bureau Associates

2014 Convention

Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, NV
October 13, 2014 – October 16, 2014

Watch wma.org/conv2014 for details!

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 South Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89502
(916) 448-7002
(916) 448-7085 Fax
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Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation

(831) 475-0335
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