More Than a Conference
A Reminder of the Power of Collaboration
Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the NARPM Southern States Conference alongside several of our other fellow Auben team members. While conferences are often known for the education, vendor booths, and networking opportunities, we left with something much more valuable, renewed appreciation for the power of relationships, community, and continuous growth.
One of the things we love most about Auben is that we truly believe we are better together. Whether it’s our owners, residents, vendors, or team members, our success is built on relationships. This conference was a perfect example of that.
Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to connect with industry partners from across the country. We shared challenges, celebrated wins, exchanged ideas, and learned from one another. It was a reminder that no matter how long you’ve been in this industry, there is always something new to learn and someone who has faced a challenge similar to your own.
What stood out to us as a team most wasn’t necessarily a specific class or presentation, it was the people.
We watched experienced industry leaders freely share their knowledge with newer industry leaders. We saw vendors genuinely focused on helping property management companies improve their businesses rather than simply selling a service. We listened to conversations filled with collaboration, accountability, and a desire to make our industry better.
Those interactions reminded us of several of Auben’s core values.
Direct and Communicative was evident in so many of the conversations throughout the conference. People were willing to have honest discussions about challenges, share what was working in their businesses, and openly exchange ideas. Some of the most valuable moments came from straightforward conversations where people were transparent about their experiences and willing to help others navigate similar situations.
Team Work was on full display throughout the event. Success is much more rewarding when it is shared, and the best leaders understand that helping others succeed ultimately strengthens everyone around them.
And perhaps most importantly, the conference embodied what we often call our Underdog DNA. There was a shared understanding among attendees that success doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from showing up, putting in the work, learning from failures, and continually pushing yourself to improve.
One of our favorite parts of the conference was experiencing it alongside our fellow Auben team members. Being able to learn together, challenge each other’s thinking, and discussing how we can bring new ideas back to our markets made the experience even more meaningful. Conferences are valuable because of the information you receive, but they become impactful when you have a team committed to putting that information into action.
We are incredibly grateful to the organizers, speakers, sponsors, vendors, and attendees who made the event possible. More importantly, we are grateful to be part of an organization that continues to prove that relationships still matter.
As we returned home and shared our thoughts, we didn’t just bring back notes and ideas. We brought back renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and excitement for what lies ahead for our team, our residents, our owners, and our company.
Because at the end of the day, property management isn’t just about houses.
It’s about people.
And people are what make this industry so rewarding.
This week’s blog post comes to us from Brandie Mejia and Jocelyn Forcht-Langfitt!
