The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) hosts an annual Broker/Owner Conference, a must-attend event for property management professionals looking to grow, learn, and connect.
With the 2025 conference just a month away, I couldn’t be more excited! This year, we’re headed to Colorado Springs—and it will be my second time attending. My first experience was in 2024 on Amelia Island, Florida, and it was truly a game-changer for me and my business.
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Why I Attended My First Broker/Owner Conference
Before 2024, the last conference I attended was in 2018—the Texas Realtors Conference—just before leaving my first brokerage to start my own company. Since then, I had been completely consumed by my business, leaving no time for industry events.
But I made 2024 our year of “Transformation.” That meant stepping out of my day-to-day operations and investing in growth, learning from those who had already achieved success, and figuring out how to break through the next ceiling in my company. At that time, we managed about 250 doors, and I knew there was more potential ahead.
So, I booked the conference. And if you know anything about me, you know that traveling and working are two of my favorite things—so why not combine them?
How to Make the Most of Your First Broker/Owner Conference
If this is your first time attending, I highly recommend these strategies that made my first conference one of the best experiences of my career.
1. Arrive a Day Early
Flying in a day before the conference gave me time to settle in, explore the venue, and get my bearings. I checked into my hotel, walked through the ballrooms, classrooms, and vendor booths, enjoyed a nice dinner with a cocktail, and got a good night’s rest before the sessions began.
2. Rent a Car
If you’ll be in town for more than two days, rent a car. I prefer Turo, a peer-to-peer car rental service, which is often cheaper than traditional rentals and allows for airport pickup and drop-off. Plus, having a car gave us the flexibility to explore, and we even met great people by offering rides to other attendees.
3. Bring a Team Member
I brought my Operations Manager, Cecilia, and it was one of the best decisions I made. Not only did we both learn and make connections, but she also got us into the most exclusive events—she’s got that kind of energy! If you’re more introverted, bringing a team member can help break the ice and maximize networking opportunities.
4. Say Hello to People
You’d be surprised how many people don’t engage at these events. Just because you’re in a session doesn’t mean you can’t turn to the person next to you and introduce yourself. Some of my best business connections started with a simple hello.
5. Participate in Vendor Games
Vendor booths often host fun games and giveaways—join in! They’re not just there to sell; they’re there to connect. At my first conference, we attended the beach bon fire. It was there that we met several other business owners that we stay in contact with to this day.
6. Attend the Social Events
Even if you’re not a social butterfly, the evening events are where the best business conversations happen. The easiest icebreaker? “What do you do, and what company are you with?” You’ll meet other property managers and vendors, and the more conversations you have, the more you’ll learn.
7. Say YES to Invitations
If you get invited to an event, say yes! (As long as it’s with someone from the conference, of course.) Before my first conference even started, a rep from Second Nature invited Cecilia and me to play golf at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island. I had learned golf a couple of years ago so I was excited. This was the nicest course I’ve played on, and it turned out to be an amazing networking opportunity. We are onboarding with Second Nature as I type this 🙂
8. Have an Agenda and Goals
You’ll get a conference agenda ahead of time—use it to plan your sessions based on your company’s goals. One of our priorities was finding a new maintenance system to replace Latchel. We made sure to attend every Property Meld session, and thanks to Cecilia’s networking skills, we landed a private demo with CEO Ray Hespen. (At the time, I had no idea who he was!) This led to us successfully transitioning our entire company to Property Meld.
9. Get Outside and Explore
While conferences are packed with events, you don’t have to attend everything. Take time to explore the city! I always check out local restaurants, visit attractions, and—if there’s a beach—I’m putting my feet in the water at least once. In Amelia Island, the first thing we did was find the ocean and grab lunch—feet in the sand, drink in hand. We even did a sunset beach walk with a new friend, Bri.
10. Exchange Contact Info & Stay in Touch
The best part of conferences? The friendships you make. When you meet someone, connect multiple times throughout the event—grab lunch, attend sessions together, and exchange contact info.
One of my best connections from the conference was Bri—we met getting off a boat from a Crane event we crashed (true story!). Since then, we’ve conference-hopped all year, had virtual coffee dates, and now she’s coming to visit me in Dallas. The relationships you build extend beyond the conference—so make an effort to stay connected.
Final thoughts
Almost a year ago, I attended my first Broker/Owner Conference, and next month, I’ll be heading to Colorado Springs for my second one. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for the opportunity to attend these events.
Looking back, I can confidently say that attending just one conference accelerated my business growth—simply because I didn’t have to figure everything out alone. The connections, insights, and shared experiences have been invaluable. There’s something special about an environment where people openly share what’s worked for them, hoping it will help others succeed. The energy is different—genuine, supportive, and inspiring.
I hope that one day, I can give back as much as I’ve received.
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