Members experience "Money, Money, Money!" at the 2012 Expo

Flying money, roulette tables, a dancing pig and a reality television star were just a few of the sights to be seen at the Expo this year. The Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom in the Ohio Union was buzzing as hundreds of industry professionals filed in for the annual Central Ohio Multifamily Exposition on April 18, 2012, eager to connect with current vendors and shop for new services.

The Expo doors opened at 1 p.m. with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by CAA President Fred Damsen. All 94 booths were sold and filled with Associate members showcasing their products and information, many of whom were decorated to the theme of "Money, Money, Money!" From booths featuring casinos, gold coins and dollar bills to Jerry Maguire's "Show me the money!" mantra, creativity was not lacking at this year's show.

To add to the excitement, eight sponsoring companies had the opportunity to shoot the anticipated "money gun," an air gun exhibitors filled with cash, promotions, and memorabilia and launched into the gathering crowd outside their booth. Dozens of members flocked to each booth before the launches. Each time the gun was shot members dove, crawled and snatched for the money and prizes.

When the money gun wasn't being unloaded, there was much else to keep members' attention. Each exhibitor had something to offer,  whether it was a game, giveaway, product display, or friendly sales representative. There was also a special presentation scrolling on the big screen throughout the show. Primary members submitted their star employees to be featured on the "Honors of Excellence" slideshow, a great way to recognize outstanding team members and show their appreciation.

Aside from the money gun, there were other ways for attendees to win cash. Everyone who attended the show was entered into a drawing for $500; those who pre-registered were entered twice. Upon entering the show room, members were also given a traffic card to complete. They were instructed to visit the booth of each of 12 companies listed on the card and have it validated. All attendees who completely filled out the card were entered into a separate drawing for $500 cash.

As the show wrapped up that evening, the winners were announced. Shannon Mahaley, Gardens at Polaris, won $500 for attending the show and independent owner Joanne Dunkel won $500 for completing the traffic card. Congratulations to both winners!

In addition to the tradeshow, two education sessions were offered to members. Both classes featured national speakers and industry hot topics.

The first was an energetic session on leasing without concessions and raising rent, led by industry speaker Kate Good. Good's high-energy program kept members amped. The second was an interactive communication and team-building session, featuring group activities meant to analyze the various styles of communication based on personality types. Instructor Janine Moon opened the class with a physical exercise that immediately had the entire class involved. Both classes boasted high registration numbers, totaling more than 150 students.

Thank you to all who participated in this year's Expo!

>> 2012 Expo Exhibitors

>> 2012 Expo Sponsors

>> Click here to view the latest issue of the Apartment Age! <<

JobsOhio focus of March General Meeting

Those who attended the General Meeting luncheon on March 8, 2012 had one thing on their mind: jobs. Nearly 100 members gathered at Brookside Golf and Country Club as keynote speaker Daryl Revoldt discussed the JobsOhio program and its impact on our state and industry.

Revoldt, Legislative and Community Outreach Director for JobsOhio, focused on economic development and how the success of the JobsOhio program will translate into a robust apartment rental industry.

He began by outlining the program, emphasizing that "what we do has a very direct relationship with what you do."
JobsOhio, a program introduced by Gov. John Kasich to streamline Ohio's job-creation efforts, is a non-profit corporation that replaced the state's stagnant Department of Development. Rather than reforming the department, the state opted to outsource development to a private company, guided by a board of 24 directors.

"This was a unique way of thinking," Revoldt said. "We asked ‘How can economic development be quicker, nimbler and more progressive?' The answer was to create a board of actively involved business-minded individuals to lead job reform efforts."

Ohio needed to be more aggressive. Before JobsOhio, he said, we were trappers. We needed to become hunters who would actively seek out opportunities, promote the state and involve local businesspeople.

The innovative program is funded by state liquor proceeds, a recognition that prompted several jokes about how members can support the efforts. It is a start-up company, not a state agency.

"Our office looks as if we came from Silicon Valley," he noted.

The program itself functions on two tracks: retention and expansion. JobsOhio sells Ohio as a profitable, friendly place to do business - with low taxes - to encourage businesses that are established here to stay here as well as attract new businesses and jobs.

Directors are often out in the field, traveling, promoting the state and aiming to capture projects that will bring jobs to Ohio.
"In the past, this type of organized state effort would have been impossible," Revoldt said.

JobsOhio recently released their updated business plan, which outlines their strategies for expansion in several different industries. This can be viewed on the JobsOhio website.

Having experienced both the old and new method of development, Revoldt said he is excited about this business-like approach and outside-the-box reform. He is also confident that new jobs will lead to more renters for the multifamily industry.

"If we are half as successful as we think we'll be, there will be a whole lot more renters in Ohio," he said.

In addition to the keynote, this meeting marked the beginning of the membership recognition year. Beginning at the March meeting, members who have been involved with the CAA for more than 20 years will be recognized at each luncheon throughout the year. A new group will be honored at each of the four meetings, until all 96 longtime members have been recognized. Membership Committee co-chair Andee Swartz, Village Green Management Company, announced the following companies at the March 8 meeting:

ABLE 444-ROOF, Armstrong Mortgage Company, Baker Rental Company, The Barcus Company, Beckman XMO, Bel Air Court, Buckeyes Parts and Services, CASTO, C&G Investment Associates, Coinmach Laundry Services, De Puy Paving, Inc., For Rent Media Solutions, Gorsuch Management, Guardian Water and Power, Javitch, Block and Rathbone, K-O-K Products, Inc., M& D Blacktop Company, New Albany Communities Management, Ohio Housing Finance Agency
Pella Company, Provident United, RLJ Management Company, Towne Properties, Village Green Management Company, Wallick Properties

Next, Swartz presented an award to the person who recruited the most new members in 2011, as part of the Membership Committee's member recruitment contest. Nate Fisher of F&W Properties won the award and was presented a token of the CAA's appreciation.

Jim Smith, FABCO, of the Bowling Workgroup presented awards to the winners of several categories at the Annual Charity Bowling Luncheon held February 10, 2012. First, an award was given to the team with the highest score, TNT Powerwash, with an overall average score of 186. Nate Williams was present to accept the award on behalf of teammates Gregg Wymer, Kenny McClimans and Joe Stiers.

Jamie Fry of Rocky Fork Company was awarded for the highest personal score with a score of 210.

The Bowling Workgroup voted for the most creative team name and awarded ProGuard Commercial Pest Solutions for the name "ProGuard Pimpettes - Let Us Check Your Beds."

Finally, the Cha-Ching award was given to the team with the most creative use of theme. The award went to Oakwood Management's "3 Blonde Baubles + 1."

Smith also thanked Immediate Past President Steve Hess, Kohr Royer Griffith, Inc., for his vision for this event. This year, the event raised a total of $3,192 for the CAA Community Assistance Foundation.

Group Retrospective Rating Program: An Alternative Savings Option

What is Group Retrospective Rating?

Group Retrospective Rating is a program where BWC-certified group sponsors pool employers of like industry that meet their criteria for safety and claims management practices. As total future claim costs of the group stay under the group's premiums paid, the group members receive up to three premium refunds of their individual premiums paid. CareWorks Consultants has created three tiers with different projected savings levels for each industry group. The three levels are:

• Platinum (74% - 78% refund);
• Gold (56% - 61% refund); and,
• Silver (30% - 34% refund).

Considerations before Joining

Employers who wish to take part in group retrospective rating must fully understand the risk involved. If the group's claim costs exceed the group's premiums paid, the entire group of employers will pay a premium assessment. This assessment is capped at a percentage of the employer's individual annual premium. CareWorks Consultants thoroughly reviews each group member's safety program and claim history prior to acceptance into all CareWorks Consultants group retrospective rating programs we administer. CareWorks Consultants works aggressively and proactively to help our group retrospective rating clients prevent injuries and control costs to maximize the benefits of the program for all participants.

Paying your Premiums

Group retrospective rating employers continue to pay their semi-annual premiums (at their individual rates) to BWC, as if they were not in a group.

• If new claim costs remain under the premiums paid for the group as a whole, rebates will be issued by BWC at 12, 24 and 36 month intervals after the policy year ends.
• Employers that maintain participation in the group retrospective program for multiple years can continue to get multi-year rebates.

Deadlines to Enroll

Interested employers must apply through a BWC-certified sponsor. Certified sponsors provide the application and determine whether to include employers in their group retrospective program.

Deadlines for applying are:

• Private, state fund employers - Last business day of April.
• Public employer taxing districts - Last business day of October.

For further information about group retrospective rating, please contact CareWorks Consultants toll-free at, 1-800-837-3200.

Attachments:

2012 CCI Workers\' Comp Safety Seminars.pdf

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