Getting the Most Out of Condo Conferences
Conference season is in full swing. With the Condo Conference 2025 recently wrapped up in Toronto and the CCI Grand River Conference this past October, I’ve been thinking about how we can all make the most of these events. Condo conferences aren’t just a day out of the office. They’re an investment in your knowledge, your network, and your corporation.
Whether you’re a manager, a Board director, a service provider, or somewhere in the condo ecosystem, here’s how I approach conferences with intention and how you can walk away feeling energized instead of overwhelmed.
Preparing Before You Walk Through the Doors
Success at a conference starts long before you put on your badge. I use the PheedLoop app to review who’s attending, where booths are located, and which companies or individuals I want to connect with. If I’ve communicated with someone on social media or LinkedIn, I make a note to stop by their booth. For those I already know, I make sure to drop in and say hello. These small moments strengthen relationships and show that you're engaged.
I also look at the educational sessions in advance. Conference days are an excellent way to earn multiple education credits in a single day and there’s usually a good mix of technical, legal, operational, and leadership content. I decide ahead of time which sessions will be most meaningful for my professional development and for the Boards I support.
Making the Most of the Day
Once you’re there, the day moves quickly. Booths, presentations, hallway conversations, and spontaneous introductions all matter. Speak to people intentionally. Ask questions that go beyond the surface. If you’re a manager, find vendors you haven’t yet worked with and learn what they offer. If you’re a Board member, take the opportunity to understand how different professionals approach problems in our industry. Conferences are one of the only places where engineers, lawyers, managers, insurance specialists, reserve planners, and service providers are all gathered under one roof, ready to talk.
This year at the Condo Conference in Toronto, I attended the Wrong! Debatable Condo Controversies session and it was one of my highlights of the event. The format was fun, engaging, and unexpectedly educational. A huge shout-out to Joy Matthews, Patrick Greco, Eric Plant, and Stacey Kurck for delivering such a lively, thought-provoking discussion. It’s sessions like this that remind me why attending conferences matters. You walk in expecting information and you walk out with new perspectives.
And let’s be honest, the food is usually pretty good. The wrap-up portion of the day is also worth sticking around for. Don’t be shy to grab a drink from the bar and continue chatting with new connections and familiar faces. These casual conversations can lead to some of the most valuable insights of the entire event. It’s an excellent way to learn from industry leaders, gather practical information, and deepen relationships in a relaxed setting.
The Aftermath: The “Loot Bag” Phase
After a conference, I always joke that it feels like coming home from Halloween as a kid. I empty my bag and sort it all out. The snacks go to the kitchen and sometimes straight into my belly. The marketing materials get divided into people I already know and those I don’t.
For the “don’t know” pile, I take time to look up each company. Who are they? What services do they offer? Could they be a fit for one of the properties I manage? Sometimes I follow up right away to learn more or explore whether we might work together in the future.
As NCM continues to grow, I also pay close attention to the Boards who attend these conferences. Board members who show up to learn, ask questions, and stay current are the kind of directors I want to work with. Their presence says a lot about their commitment to their corporation and their desire to understand the industry. These are the Boards that value partnership and proactive management.
Bringing the Value Home
The biggest missed opportunity after a conference is doing nothing with what you learned. After sorting my materials, I identify two or three key takeaways that will directly benefit my clients. This might be a new legal insight, an operational tool, a vendor I want to test, or an idea for improving communication with Boards. This year learning about the enhanced reserve fund study (Paterson Group) was one of my biggest takeaways from the Condo Conference and from the CCI -GR conference it was Decoding Legal Language: Enhancing Condo Status Certificates (Michael Clifton, Laurie Reed, David Finoro and Megan Molly).
I also share highlights with the Directors I work with. They appreciate knowing that their manager is learning, staying ahead of industry changes, and bringing back knowledge that strengthens their community.
Final Thoughts
Condo conferences are what you make them. Go in with curiosity. Engage with the people around you. Take notes. Ask questions. Debrief afterward. Whether you’re new to the industry or decades in, there’s always something to learn and always someone new to connect with.
Oh! And wear comfortable shoes! But most of all, remember that conferences aren’t just events. They’re opportunities to grow, to network, to reinforce your professionalism, and to strengthen the condo communities we all serve.
