October 2024

MANAGEMENT TRENDS You Connected at the CAI-NJ Conference... What’s Next? Tips from a Community Association Manager By Erin O’Reilly, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, FirstService Residential T he CAI-NJ Annual Conference and Expo allows attendees the opportunity to develop their profes sional growth through networking with a variety of

exhibitors and fellow attendees and attending educational panels throughout the day. The key is to continue to build these relationships which will, in turn, help you gain visibil ity and access to resources. Below are a few proactive tips directly from a community association manager to help you. • Organizing Contact Information – During the confer ence or shortly after, it is helpful to enter the contact information (e.g., name, company, phone number, and email address) from the business cards received into your phone or email contacts. The notes section under the contact is another way to include something specific or an additional service that a vendor can provide. Notes help as a reference when you are looking to find a contact you may not use all the time. Consider connecting on LinkedIn, as well. • Initiating Communication – Now that the contact information is entered, it is time to use it. Creating touchpoints with those who you met at the conference is beneficial, especially with those who may be able to assist your association within the next few months. The communication can be a simple email letting them know that it was nice meeting them at the Expo. In addition, it’s an excellent opportunity to confirm the recipient has your contact information. For community managers spe cifically, if you have a project or service coming up, this is a great chance to share that with them. • Building Professional Relationships – This type of small communication helps you build visibility as a profes sional and relationships with others within the network.

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“...it is helpful to enter the contact information...from the business cards received into your phone or email...”

Furthermore, as you develop your professional career, those exhibitors which may not have been relevant initially for the association you are working at currently, may be necessary later or at another association. • Leveraging Educational Opportunities – Another con sideration is many of the subject matter experts offer free seminars and updates. Many of these seminars are posted on their websites or you can ask to be added to their distribution lists. These platforms are a great way to continue networking, stay current on association-related topics (legal updates, building requirements, etc.) and work towards maintaining your current credentials. • Overcoming Networking Hesitations – If you are newer to CAI-NJ or more reserved about attending these events, you may be surprised by the number of familiar faces you will see from attending the Expo. Attending events is a great way to build confidence in attending

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OCTOBER 2024