2023 CHAM Conference

Highlights from the CHAM Conference

The highly anticipated CHAM Annual Asset Management conference brought together 400 industry leaders, professionals, and experts from across the country for an event filled with invaluable insights, innovation, and meaningful connections in the vibrant city of Minneapolis! Through a series of captivating sessions, attendees were immersed in a dynamic exchange of ideas, cutting-edge strategies, and emerging trends aimed at tackling the pressing challenges within our industry.

We were honored to kick off the conference with a powerhouse lineup of speakers, including Adrienne Todman, Deputy Secretary of HUD, and Bob Simpson from Simpson Impact Strategies. Together, they delved into the Administration’s groundbreaking approaches to crucial industry concerns such as energy investment, eviction prevention, and decarbonization. Our plenary panelists spanned diverse perspectives from the community, owners, and industry. They inspired us as they shared invaluable lessons learned over the past three years.

The conference offered a diverse range of sessions covering various asset management topics. From interactive workshops on data-driven decision-making to in-depth discussions on risk mitigation strategies, each session provided practical insights and actionable takeaways. The breakout groups of the Affordable Housing Innovation Lab were a resounding success, fostering connections and facilitating networking among like-minded professionals in a more intimate setting.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of our awards. Christian Caldorone, the Deputy Director of NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, received the coveted Mickey Digge’s Asset Manager of the Year Award, honoring his exceptional contributions to the field. The Organization of the Year Award was given to  Eden Housing and their remarkable Asset Management team, affectionately known as the A-Team, for their outstanding growth, exemplary structure, and unwavering commitment to their mission. We also proudly recognized our longstanding partner, National Equity Fund, with the Organization of the Year Award, acknowledging their dedication, perseverance, and invaluable support of CHAM.

To conclude our programming on a poignant note, our esteemed CHAM Board President, Harold Nassau, shared his heartfelt asset management journey, reflecting on the profession’s evolution and inspiring us with a vision for the future of affordable housing and CHAM. He eloquently emphasized the transformative power of our work, stating, “We have created a profession, born out of compliance. But it has grown out of performance. We are building a new ‘American Dream.’ Not a single-family house behind a picket fence. And not just ‘housing that is safe, sanitary and secure.’ But an affordable home in a healthy community that supports the families that live there, and which reflects their choices and their needs in sustainable properties.” His words resonated deeply, reminding us of the profound impact we can make as we navigate the intersection of mission, margin, and climate resilience. Click here to read Harold’s full remarks.

The CHAM Annual Asset Management conference surpassed all expectations, igniting an atmosphere brimming with excitement, professionalism, and boundless possibilities. It served as a pivotal platform for industry-wide collaboration, facilitating the exchange of ideas that have the potential to shape the future of asset management and affordable housing. Participants left the conference invigorated, enlightened with fresh perspectives, and ready to implement transformative strategies that will leave a lasting impact in their respective organizations. We want to thank our sponsors and partners who made this possible, and believe in the work we do. As we look ahead, we are more eager than ever to continue providing our members, partners, colleagues, and friends with the necessary resources to excel in our collective mission.

The 2023 CHAM Annual Asset Management Conference brought together asset managers from all corners of the nation to confront the challenges borne out of the pandemic. Unpaid rents, surging evictions, escalating expenses, staffing shortages, higher interest rates and rising security costs are just a few of the pressing issues under the spotlight. The opening plenary set the stage with a compelling narrative, portraying the daunting landscape while offering hope and potential solutions.