Creating Service, Success and Lifestyle Communities Seniors Symposium - 3/22/2004 - Real Estate Education Training Schools Conferences

Creating Service, Success and Lifestyle Communities Among Topics at Seniors Symposium

George, who is responsible for strategic aspects of leadership development and training initiatives for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, will discuss “How to Create Legendary Customer Service” and share with seniors housing professionals how to establish a “legendary service” trademark for their companies and communities.

Antonio Giordano, Jr., chair of the 2004 Symposium Committee, said that George’s message is an important one.

“Customer service is the cornerstone of any business — and this couldn’t be truer for the seniors housing industry,” said Giordano, a multifamily builder/developer based in Providence, RI. “Boomers, empty nesters, pre-retirees and seniors can be discriminating customers. They have very specific ideas about how they want to live their lives and their expectations for their homes and communities. It’s vital to know what satisfies their wants and desires.”

Building for Boomers & Beyond includes 19 education sessions featuring top industry leaders and nationally recognized speakers. The sessions will explore topics including design and development, finance, marketing and sales, research and trends and an all-new multifamily track for companies that are building apartments, condominiums and townhouses for seniors.

Jon Fels, president of Avatar Properties, Inc., a Coral Gables, FL-based builder/developer of several active adult communities in Florida and Arizona, will speak at the symposium’s Icons of the Industry Awards breakfast. He will discuss his industry experiences creating lifestyle communities for active adults.

Also speaking will be Sheryl Palmer, Nevada-area president for Pulte Homes, and David Smith, vice president of Cambridge Homes/D.R. Horton. In their session, “Success Stories,” they will compare costs, marketing ideas and successes as well as discuss the development challenges they faced in their respective active adult communities.

“Our speakers will tap into their own personal experiences and use actual case studies,” Giordano said. “All attendees will learn something, whether they are building their first age-qualified or age-targeted community or are industry veterans.”

Other highlights of Building for Boomers & Beyond include an exhibit area featuring products and services tailored to 50+ consumers and networking events.

NAHB members who register by Monday, March 29 can take advantage of a pre-registration discount. However, on-site registration will be available. Read the Building for Boomers & Beyond brochure for more details.

For more information, contact NAHB’s University of Housing at 800-368-5242 x8338 or visit www.nahb.org/build4boomers.

Building for Boomers & Beyond is sponsored by the NAHB Seniors Housing Council. The symposium is expected to attract more than 500 single-family and multifamily builders and developers, architects, land planners, interior designers and merchandisers, sales and marketing professionals and others interested in the mature market.