Theme

This year’s theme is “Take a Walk in Your Park — and Discover Community.” We are thinking along the lines of celebrating in your communities, and getting to know your residents even more than you already do. We are asking exhibitors to decorate using this theme. What is it that you do to celebrate and create community? The theme will be festive with a party atmosphere — face-painting, barbecue, balloons, etc. One of our vendors is thinking about “Hollywood in the Clubhouse” as their theme. How fun does that sound?

Welcome to the 2024 WMA Convention & Expo!

To all of you who attended last year’s Convention & Expo, I want to personally thank you for attending and making it a success.

Your presence and engagement with the speakers at the seminars helped to educate everyone — especially those who are new to the industry. This lays the groundwork for updating and advancing the manufactured housing industry for all concerned. This interaction not only helps keep us current, but it helps us map out our future. We cannot do it without you! Let’s keep learning, and keep moving this industry into the future!

As chairperson of the WMA Convention & Expo Planning Committee, I invite you to this year’s WMA Convention & Expo in Henderson.

See you there!

Sincerely,

Dave Thomas
Convention & Expo Planning Committee Chair

Seminars

• CSPR: Property Rights
  This seminar will cover the latest on regulatory takings, including the Supreme Court’s recent “exactions” decision in Sheetz v. El Dorado County (litigated by the panelists) and the prospects for challenging rent control. Panelists will also provide a brief update on pending litigation challenging (1) AB 2782’s repeal of the exemption from local rent control ordinances for long-term leases and (2) local ordinances that are forcing mobilehome parks to discriminate against families with children and stay (or become) seniors-only communities. (Paul Beard and Larry Saltzman)
   
• Legal and Management Advice Panels
  As laws change and court decisions are handed down, it becomes necessary to adjust our business practices to keep pace with the changes. This seminar will focus on recent developments in the industry and the adjustments owners need to make. These open forums will bring together leading industry attorneys and property managers to answer your questions and address your concerns. (Moderators: Joy Nagel/Tuesday Panel, and Jim Joffe/Wednesday panel)
   
• MCM: … just because you can, should you? (A review of legal and operational challenges facing onsite teams and ownership.)
  A powerful review of the legal and operational challenges facing onsite teams and ownership today. Joe and Ruben will navigate you through the subject matters of companion animals, healthcare providers, additional occupants, and your favorites like PETS and TREES. We will review the legalities for the Standards of Occupancy along with home upgrades upon resale. If you have unanswered legal and management questions, this is the seminar for you! (Joseph Carroll and Ruben Garcia)
   
• MCM: A Clear and Present Danger of the Times — Are Community Owners Liable for Violent Acts Occurring Within the Community?
  Acts of violence are becoming all too common in modern society.  What if a violent act occurs inside a manufactured home community? Can the community owner and operator be liable for injuries to the victim, or be liable to the victim’s family if the victim is killed? Does it matter if the violent act is committed by a resident or non-resident?  Is there a legal duty to take precautions to prevent violent acts from occurring inside the community, and does that include evicting a resident who threatens violence?  (Ariel Bedell, Teri Lazorisak, and Matt Pahl)
   
• MCM: Best Practices and How to Stay Away from Failure-to-Maintain Lawsuits
  Join us for an informative session tailored for all management levels in the manufactured housing industry. We will delve into all things ADA and Fair Housing issues, including best practices, understanding insurance, what we have been seeing in the news, and how to avoid failure-to-maintain lawsuits. You won’t want to miss this educational event. By attending, you will develop a deeper understanding of why ADA and Fair Housing claims are important to pay attention to. (John Pentecost, Ryan Egan, and Megan Ellinghouse)
   
• MCM: Do’s and Don’ts — Tenancy Applications and Managing Tenancy Transfers
  This panel will discuss management best practices for reviewing, evaluating, and responding to tenancy applications. The panel will also discuss a common and related topic on responding to post-death transfers of tenancy — both known and unknown. (Lucas Coe, Patricia Davis, Joshua Holloway, and Scott Evans)
   
• MCM: Fair Housing Laws, Reasonable Accommodation Requests, and the Unintended Effect on Reducing Dedicated Senior Housing
  The panel will provide a general overview of relevant California and federal Fair Housing Laws, and the ever-escalating number of “reasonable accommodation” requests. The discussion will also include an overview of the administrative process involved in responding to a formal complaint. During the panel conversation, the panelists will share their experiences and perspectives on the growing trend of converting older-person communities to all-age communities in response to an underserved, aging population burdening parkowners and frustrating management.  (Andrew Ditlevsen, Adam Evans, and Ryan Jasinsky)
   
• MCM: Golden and Otherwise — Rules and Regulations to Ease Your Mind, Make More Money, and Have Happier Tenants
  Your Mind, Make More Money, and Have Happier Tenants
  This will assume basic knowledge of MHC Rules and Regulations. Participants will learn advanced techniques in phrasing rules in a friendly, non-threatening language, while enhancing enforceability and clarity. Substantively, specific rules will receive a “deep dive” into: age restrictions, subleasing, insurance requirements, boundary line issues, etc. Bring your questions. (Rob Coldren)
   
• MCM: Injury Illness Prevention Program — Are You in Compliance?
  The Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) reduces the risk of workplace injury and illness. CAL/OSHA requires every employer to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Injury & Illness Prevention Program. The IIPP establishes a management framework to reduce the risks associated with workplace injuries and illnesses, identify what is required to promote safety and health, and create an outline of policies and procedures to achieve safety and health goals. (Alfredo Jauregui and Josue Ramirez)
   
• MCM: Is a Park Trailer an RV and Can it Become a Manufactured Home?
  Can an RV be in a manufactured home community? Can a manufactured home be in an RV park? Can an RV become an actual manufactured home? Is a “Tiny Home” an RV or an MH? Who oversees RV construction? What is a “Modular”? What can be in the spaces in your community? Can a local jurisdiction deem your RVs to be manufactured homes? (Brad Harward)
   
• MCM: Water — How to Maximize Recovery and Minimize Usage
  As we know, water in California is a precious commodity for which prices are constantly increasing, and supply is an ongoing issue. What is a community owner to do? This panel will discuss how to recoup as much as possible of your water charges from the residents and methods to conserve water in your community. (Brice London and Ed Poole)
   
• Update on New Laws
  Laws impacting the industry change from year to year. This seminar will bring you current on recent legislative measures and how they impact you at all levels of operation in your communities. WMA’s legislative advocate, along with advisors to the WMA Legislative Committee, will present the latest laws affecting the industry.  (Andrew Govenar, Paul Jensen and Chris Wysocki)

Guestroom Reservations

Please make your hotel reservations directly with The M Resort. Get the nightly rate of $160 (Sunday thru Thursday). The cut-off date for reservations is September 16. The rate will not be available for reservations received on September 16 and thereafter. Do remember, not only did our block sell out in 2022, but the entire hotel sold out.

You can make your reservations in one of two ways:

Call the M Resort directly at 877.673.7678 and use group name SWMH24; or,

Follow this link by clicking HERE. The resort has set up a special site for WMA Convention attendees.

Please remember, the resort NEVER hires/retains a third-party organization to offer lower rates. Do not fall into this scam should you get an email or phone call.
 

Registration Fees and Registration

The registration fees are listed below. 

                       Before Sept. 9        On or After Sept. 10

Member              $525 pp                      $595 pp
Non-Member      $1,050 pp                   $1,190 pp

Please download the registration form located on this page above the staff photo; or click HERE for online registration. Remember, you must be logged in to register online.

Education, Networking and Entertainment

Owners rely on managers to find opportunities to ensure the successful operation of their communities. Here, you will find everything you will need, on a professional level, we’ll blend educational programs with entertainment and networking forums so that you can succeed in this business. We will feature seminars with industry experts focused on shaping our future and our communities; sessions covering practical business issues; opportunities to network with other industry leaders; and a dynamic Expo to make your attendance worthwhile!
 

Expo

The Expo will open right after the Kick-Off Lunch on Tuesday. Later on in the day, we will once again have the wine tasting event during the Welcome Reception. A dinner buffet is included in full registrations. Connect with exhibitors who will feature delicious wines while you network. 

The well-received dessert reception on the Expo floor after Wednesday’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon will take place again! We will offer you a full day of Expo events the second day — a dynamic Expo will make your attendance worthwhile!

Exhibitor Forms

A downloadable packet for exhibit registrations is available here on this website page. Click on the link (above staff photo) to download.

No-Cost Networking Event

Before we get to business, we are going to start you off with a no-cost, no-host networking event where you can catch up with industry colleagues during a leisure evening.

Would this be your first WMA Convention? Then you must come to this networking event. Introduce yourself and make connections with people who will give you helpful advice for years to come!
 

Highlights

Kick-Off Lunch — Tuesday, October 15

You are invited to the Kick-Off Lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.! We are going to begin the afternoon with a delicious plated lunch while giving you ample opportunity to network with friends. Remember, there’s always a new face in the crowd — introduce yourself and welcome first time attendees. Make them feel good about joining WMA and being a part of this wonderful, resourceful organization!

President Virginia Jensen will welcome you and officially open the 2024 WMA Convention and Expo. After lunch, the scholarship recipients from this year’s Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation will be announced. Greg Evans will reveal this year’s recipients for deserving youth residing in WMA-member communities. Perhaps one of them is from your community! After that, WMA’s Legislative Advocate, Chris Wysocki, will give a brief legislative update and announce the winners of WMA’s hotly contested golf tournament held on Monday, October 14.

Right after lunch, you’ll head into the opening of the Expo.


Expo Opening — Tuesday, October 15

The Expo will once again open right after lunch! You will have over two hours on the Expo floor before returning to the educational seminars.


Welcome Reception and Wine Tasting — Tuesday, October 15

It’s become a tradition! You will LOVE this wine tasting event. This evening includes a dinner buffet in the Expo. We have planned another exciting show for you! Exhibitors have been invited to bring their favorite wines again! This is always a great time to reconnect with other Expo attendees or get to know new people! The Expo continues on Wednesday, stopping only for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon.

Stop in between seminars! You’ll experience a dynamic day interacting with outstanding exhibitors who represent cutting edge products and services of the industry. Drawings will be held at the close of Expo on Wednesday.

The Expo will close at 3:00 p.m. — don’t miss the drawings!


Annual Meeting and Luncheon — Wednesday, October 16

Take a well-deserved break from the fast paced action of the Expo and educational seminars. Join us for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon. It is a great opportunity to be introduced to new members, as well as continuing members of WMA’s leadership — all in one place.

A plated lunch is provided — delicious food and drink to satisfy your hungry appetite. This is followed with our formal program. An award will be presented to a deserving member whose political contributions have stood out above and beyond all those who continuously support WMA. Another award will be presented to a member whose selfless contributions have impacted the industry. During the Annual Meeting, you’ll also learn the state of WMA, and see the new Board of Directors for 2024 – 2025 elected and sworn in.

Once all the business has been dealt with, don’t be in such hurry! We haven’t forgotten dessert! Come follow us into the Expo and enjoy your dessert as you visit our exhibitors one more time!


President’s Dinner Dance — Wednesday, October 16
You are cordially invited to WMA’s signature black tie event. It will be held on Wednesday evening in a beautifully appointed ballroom. Wear your finest! However, if business casual suits you best, that is good too! We will be there to warmly welcome you — our honored guests — to this annual President’s Dinner Dance. As you walk into the exquisitely decorated ballroom, you know that a captivating evening awaits you.

The magic begins the moment you arrive. Join family, friends and colleagues for an elegant meal, then sit back the Frank J. Evans Charitable Foundation draws tickets for the cash raffle! I Let’s get you in the mood as we celebrate the new President of the WMA Board of Directors, Andy Balaguy, being sworn into office and delivering his inaugural address. Next, join us in feting the 2024 recipient of WMA’s most recognized and esteemed honor: The Busch, Carr & McAdoo Memorial Award.

Finally, after we have wrapped up the business, we have invited Eevaan Tré back to close out the evening. You loved dancing to this band in 2022, so we are going to end this evening with you dancing the night away! We promise this will be an evening you will long remember! 
 

Schedule

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2024

Golf Tournament —  (optional) — Revere Golf Club (optional)
    7:00 a.m. Registration; 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start

Badges/Tickets Pick Up for Pre-registered Convention Attendees
    1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Networking Event Reception
    5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024

Registration Opens
    8:00 a.m.

Coffee Service & Pastries
   7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Educational Seminars
    9:00 to 11:15 a.m.

Kick-Off Lunch
    11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Expo Opens
    12:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Educational Seminars
    3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception and Wine Tasting
    4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024

Registration Opens
    8:00 a.m.

Expo Hours
    7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Breakfast in Expo
    7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

Educational Seminars
    9:00 to 11:15 a.m.

Pre-Lunch Cocktails in Expo
    11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Annual Meeting and Luncheon
    12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

Desserts and Drawings in Expo
    1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Expo Closes
    3:00 p.m.

President’s Dinner Dance
    5:30 to 6:30 p.m.      Pre-Dinner Cocktails
    6:30 to 10:00 p.m.    Dinner Dance

Sponsors

Download the list of Sponsorship Opportunities in the links provided above the staff photo. Direct any queries to Regina Sánchez at regina@wma.org or 916.288.4034.

2024 PLATINUM SPONSORS

• Advantage Homes
• Boudreau Utility Services
• California Southwestern Insurance Agency
• JB Bostick Company, Inc.
• J&H Asset Property Mangement, Inc.
• ManageAmerica
• Manufactured Home Works
• Relation Insurance Services, Inc.
• Shorebreak Energy Developers
• Skyline Champion Homes
• Yardi Breeze Premier
• Z Electric Wire Works, Inc.
   

2024 GOLD SPONSORS

• American Asphalt
• Capital One NA
• CAVCO Industries, Inc.
• FollettUSA
• Marcus & Millichap
• Metron Sustainable Services
• Monolith Properties
• Newport Pacific Capital Company, Inc.
• Onyx Capital Corporation
• Rent Manager
• RHP Properties, Inc.
• Triad Financial Services, Inc.
• Wells Fargo
   

2024 SILVER SPONSOR

• Network Thinking Solutions, Inc.
   

2024 BRONZE SPONSORS

• Lipscomb Real Estate
   

Future WMA Conventions & Expos

• 2025 Convention
  Peppermill Reno
  2707 South Virginia Street
  Reno, NV 89502
  
  October 6 – 9, 2025
  Visit us at wma.org/conv2025 (site is expected to open May 2025).
   
• 2026 Convention
  M Resort Spa Casino
  12300 Las Vegas Boulevard South
  Henderson, NV 89044
  
  October 26 – 29, 2026
   
• 2027 Convention
  Peppermill Reno
  2707 South Virginia Street
  Reno, NV 89502
  
  October 18 – 21, 2027
   
• 2028 Convention
  TBD
   
• 2029 Convention
  Peppermill Reno
  2707 South Virginia Street
  Reno, NV 89502
  
  October 22 – 25, 2029