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NAHRO's 2007 National Conference and Exhibition -- Charting a New Course: Building America's Communities
October 28-30
San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA

We have planned more than 40 concurrent sessions on an array of topics for you, and in keeping with the NAHRO tradition, the Manufacturers and Suppliers Council will sponsor a trade show, which will feature the products and services that you need to maintain your housing stock and manage your agency operations.

Join us in San Diego for a stimulating, hands-on conference and exhibition. We look forward to seeing you there!

New for 2007 -- It's a Paperless Conference
This year's National Conference will be paperless, which means we will not distribute session handouts onsite. Delegates will have two ways to access session handouts:

• Before the Conference -- Download and print out the materials of interest to you from the special delegates' section of the website. The link to this site will be emailed prior to the conference to all registered delegates.
• After the Conference -- Download and print out the materials of interest to you for up to 30 days following the conference.
  

National Conference Activities

Friday, October 26

Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Golf Tournament
The afternoon of Friday, October 26 has been set aside for a golf tournament at the Balboa Municipal Golf Course in San Diego. Tee times will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the tournament will feature a four person scramble. The cost of the tournament is $90 per player and includes green fee, cart, lunch, prizes and trophies including longest drive and closest to the pin. Proceeds will benefit the Association for Community Housing Solutions (TACHS). Click here to download the Golf Registration Form (PDF format). Questions? Contact Angie Risotti-Rios at 619-578-7532 or Jason Lee at 1-800-783-3100, ext. 146. Hosted by the San Diego Housing Commission. Sponsors: NAHRO and Nan McKay.

Saturday, October 27

1:00-5:00 p.m.
Early Bird Registration

3:00-5:00 p.m.
Study Tour
Tour innovative and successful housing and redevelopment activities in the San Diego area. Space is limited - separate fee. Sign up on-site for the tours beginning October 27. Tours will also be held on the morning of Tuesday, October 30.

Sunday, October 28

10:00-11:00 a.m.
Briefing for First Time Conference Attendees
Receive tips on how to get the most out of your conference experience.

11:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall and Lunch
Join the Manufacturers and Suppliers Council (MSC) of NAHRO for a tour of the exhibit hall and lunch.

1:30-3:15 p.m.
Opening General Session
Keynote Speaker: Simon Bailey

3:30-5:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

• What Would You Do? A Refresher in Ethics
  Trust in government is low. Are you doing everything you can to bolster public confidence in your agency? Are you doing all you can to insulate your decisions from conflicts of interest, or the perception of conflicts? Do you know what constitutes an ethical breach? Do you know when to speak up? Do you know who to turn to or what to ask? This session will heighten your sensitivity to these delicate questions and equip you with confidence to act appropriately.
• Is SEVRA the Safety Net and Answer to MTW?
  See and hear from an agencies who have bravely chartered the waters of deregulation by participating in the MTW program. Find out if this success can be incorporated into SEVRA. This session will prepare you for the future course of the HCV program. Know what direction to take, what dangers you may face, and plan for the unexpected. Remember that every action has a reaction, and this session will help you chart the course for a successful transition to SEVRA.
• Disaster Preparedness (Session will be repeated on Monday)
  Is your agency prepared to deal with a local disaster? What will your agency do if most of your employees can't report to work either due to an epidemic (bird flu) or the office is not operational due to a natural disaster? How do you continue operations? What happens to your clients? Panelists will give an overview of issues related to disaster preparedness, including developing a disaster plan for continuance of operations during and after a disaster, identifying resources, defining HUD and other agencies roles, working with the media, and sharing lessons learned in the aftermath of Katrina and other disasters.
  
• Smooth Sailing with Mixed Use Projects and New Market Tax Credits
  The time is right for sailing into creative and non-traditional approaches to address much needed revitalization projects in low-income communities. New Market Tax Credits are one example of the innovative funding strategies to generate private investment in both business and commercial developments in economically distressed neighborhoods. Affordable housing is a key component of a successful mixed use project, strengthening and bringing new vitality to communities and jobs for local residents. Panelists in this session will discuss the basics of New Market tax credits and share examples of successful mixed-use projects that have contributed to building better neighborhoods.
  
• Homelessness - Understanding 10- Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness and How PHAs Can Help
  Nothing ends homelessness like a home! Many communities across the country are adopting 10-Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness. Local housing authorities can play a critical role in helping their community solve homelessness as opposed to simply helping them "manage the problem." Learn how your PHA can help implement 10 Year Plans and help your community achieve a reduction in the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness. This session will provide an overview of the 10 Year Plan process and detail the resources your housing authority can provide and secure to increase the supply of affordable housing options for the chronically homeless. Resources include: Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) set-asides (preferences), Project Based HCV's, Shelter Plus Care assistance and other McKinney-Vento Act funded programs.
  
• Housing and Community Development in Mexico
  Find out what is going on to address housing and community development challenges south of the border. Mexico is one of the most populace countries in the Western Hemisphere. Without the tax base that the US has, Mexico is implementing its own, very different strategies. Find out how this developing country is meeting the challenges and providing examples for smaller, less populace Latin-American countries to study.
• Surviving Audits and New Audit Procedures
  All too often, an audit is viewed as a necessary evil, and therefore is characterized by a confrontational working relationship. In our experience we have found that high performing organizations have a very different working relationship with their auditors; first, they spent much more time preparing for audits, had significantly fewer audit findings, and consequently, are spending a significantly less time on audit-related activities. In the high-performing organizations, there is a mutual respect between the agency and the audit team they work with. In fact, in these high-performers, the agencies even viewed auditors as additional resources to ensure that appropriate controls are in place and effective. This session will focus on working with your external auditor and your regulatory agencies (HUD/REAC, USDA-RD, Housing Finance Commissions, etc.) to get the most from your audit and to minimize the cost and disruption to your agency.
• Reinventing Older Housing Stock with Assistance from the NAHRO Access Alliance
  This session will give participants an overview of the NAHRO Access Alliance and how to use their assistance to reinvent public housing or to create new housing. Panelists will talk about how to access capital and technical assistance from the Alliance partners to get your project started. Examples of development in California, Louisiana and Mississippi will be highlighted.
  
  

3:45-4:15 p.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Fundamentals of Maintenance Management
  This session will cover maintenance management basics including knowing the workload, prioritizing your work, and planning ahead.

4:30-5:00 p.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Opportunities for Sustainable, Renewable, and Green Projects (This clinic will be repeated on Monday.)
  Presenters will discuss sustainability, renewable energy, and "green" projects and the definitions of each. There are opportunities to save money by implementing sustainable, renewable, and green aspects into new construction projects, renovation projects, and the day-to-day operations of housing authorities. The presenters will discuss specific examples and the available methods of implementing and financing them, along with the importance of educating tenants and staff to promote energy conservation and cost cutting. Don't miss it!
  

5:00-6:30 p.m.
President's Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Enjoy light refreshments as you tour the Exhibit Hall before the Individual Awards Gala.

7:30-11:00 p.m.
Individual Awards Gala and Beach Party -- Location: San Diego Marriott
Pay tribute to the recipients of the Elizabeth B. Wells Memorial Award, the John D. Lange International Award, and the M. Justin Herman Memorial Award -- NAHRO's highest award.

Following the presentations, the Surf City Allstars will get you on the dance floor with a mix of surf and oldie dance tunes, and their audience participation segments including an "Air Guitar" and "Hula-Hoop" contest will entertain you even if you aren't a dancer. It all adds up to one great time and the best Beach Party experience there is. Whether you're a gremmie (surfer) or a hodad (non-surfer) you're sure to have an awesome time. (Tropical shirts encouraged but not required.)

Monday, October 29

7:00-8:00 a.m.
International Breakfast -- NAHRO Around the World - Lessons Learned
Hear about the lessons learned from NAHRO members who have traveled to other nations to visit and exchange views with housing and community development professionals. Find out about new perspectives that have been brought home to inspire innovation. (Space is limited. Be sure to sign-up for this event on-site beginning October 27.)

8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Registration Continues

8:15-9:30 a.m.
General Session
Featuring a Washington Update by NAHRO's Executive Director Saul N. Ramirez, Jr., NAHRO President Cameron's address, and keynote speaker Edward Mazria.

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Housing and Development Law Institute (HDLI) Conference -- Location: San Diego Marriott

9:45-10:15 a.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Save Time and Money Calculating Utility Allowances for Section 8 and Public Housing
  This session will review the components of utility allowance calculations, suggest ways to calculate allowances, discuss how to avoid the RFP process and be fair and equitable to tenants and authorities, and more.
  

9:45-11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions

• Captain of the Ship: Maintaining Strong Leadership (New day and time)
  Demographics tell us that the 76 million "baby boomers" in the workforce are beginning to retire. What are the implications for your agency? How strong is your bench? Should you develop new retention strategies, retirement policies or changes to recruiting practices? What is the role of Board Members and senior staff in recruiting for your top positions? This panel of respected recent retirees from Housing and Community Development agencies will discuss what agency leaders can do to ensure smooth succession planning.
• Disaster Preparedness (Repeated from Sunday)
  Is your agency prepared to deal with a local disaster? What will your agency do if most of your employees can't report to work either due to an epidemic (bird flu) or the office is not operational due to a natural disaster? How do you continue operations? What happens to your clients? Panelists will give an overview of issues related to disaster preparedness, including developing a disaster plan for continuance of operations during and after a disaster, identifying resources, defining HUD and other agencies roles, working with the media, and sharing lessons learned in the aftermath of Katrina and other disasters.
• Dealing with Sensitive Housing Issues: How to Survive Swimming with the Sharks
  What is VAWA? LEP? Reasonable Accommodation? And what does Fair Housing have to do with all of this? Learn to swim with the sharks and strengthen you survival skills by understanding the laws, regulations and your responsibilities.
• Financing Rental Housing Post HOPE VI (Formerly called Tax Credits 101)
  PHA's can access private and public debt products and various types of tax credits to finance the development of affordable rental housing. This introductory session will present two typical financing models (Tax-exempt bonds with 4% tax credits; Taxable Debt with 9% tax credits), explain the difference between hard and soft debt, and present case studies to showcase the financing models.
• Keeping Kids Safe: It's Everybody's Responsibility
  As any parent can tell you (no matter the age of the child), keeping kids safe is a round-the-clock full-time job. It takes the cooperation and collaboration of the family, friends, school, and community. Crime prevention experts will provide useful program(s) information and tips. A local school will share a successful project/program that they are initiating to keep kids safe. This lively session promises to be of interest to housing agency staff, commissioners, and children and grandchildren who may be accompanying their parents or grandparents to the National Conference.
• This Just in from Washington!
  The 110th Congress is well along in its first session and there is much that we need to keep an eye on--the FY08 appropriation including efforts to hold off cutbacks in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Public Housing Capital Fund, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA), possible housing/tax credits legislation, HOPE VI reauthorization, Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) reform, and more. At HUD in addition to asset management implementation there are additional items NAHRO is following closely including the development of a new Moving to Work (MTW) agreement, distribution of FY07 Section funds for Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) and administrative fees, and more. NAHRO's Legislation and Program Development staff are on the front lines and will be on hand to present an informative and interactive session with delegates who want to hear the latest up-to-the-minute news from Washington, DC. Staff will provide updates on key issues, provide you with thoughtful commentary and analysis on those issues, and will take your questions. For those who want to be in the know; this is one session you will not want to miss!
  
• Fraud Detection: Preserving Assets and Saving Public Dollars: Part I
  You will hear from the HUD Office of Inspector General, an Executive Director of one of the largest housing authorities in the nation, and national criminal background check and credit reporting professional. The session is designed for commissioners and administrators to enhance their knowledge - as they work together to strengthen policies and management systems to detect internal/external fraud often encountered at various public housing authorities. Participants will receive a copy from the Office of Inspector General of their latest "Guidelines for Public Housing Authorities to Prevent, Detect, and Report Fraud, as well as a copy of the federal legislation governing employee background checks and the like. A trend in the private sector is to do criminal background and credit checks on an annual basis of their employees. Should PHA's adopt similar policies for their agency? Learn more about the detection and prevention of employee fraud. Fraud, abuse or lack of internal controls and systems cut away at reduced federal funding and programs.

10:30-11:00 a.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Increasing Efficiency and Integrity in the Workplace: Solutions for Applicant Screening and Fraud Detection
  This session will cover the information available for standardizing the admission-screening processes and provide an analysis of data for fraudulent activity. There also will be a discussion as to the availability and reliability of the public records required for HUD's Screening for Drug & Criminal Activity Rule, as well as worksheets and strategies for maintaining integrity in the admission and review processes.

11:15 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Tour of the Exhibit Hall and Lunch
Stop by and have a bite to eat as you talk to those three or four vendors you might have missed the day before.

2:00-3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

• Navigating Public Agency Budgets and Audits
  Is your agency financially sound? The answer can be found somewhere in the many documents available to your board. The objective is to identify the salient information without getting lost in the numbers. Commissioners and non-finance staff will learn what to look for when reading budgets, audits and financial statements in order to protect the public's money.
• Managing Transition to Asset Management
  One size doesn't fit all PHAs! The HUD guidance for Asset Management continues to evolve. The general direction is for PHAs to manage public housing like FHA properties are managed but with additional requirements and limits. How will your PHA manage this change to asset management in your agency? Learn from other PHAs who have successfully transitioned. Examples will be provided for different size PHAs with different types of housing portfolios in urban, suburban and rural communities. What worked for them and lessons learned in making the transition.
• Rebuilding Communities Around the Globe
  This session includes a variety of panelists discussing their experiences and challenges in rebuilding communities around the world. Panelists will share their struggle to overcome entrenched institutional and economic barriers to community revitalization. Just as housing and redevelopment professionals are working with the HUD HOPE VI program to transform U.S. communities into vibrant areas where families can flourish, other countries have developed different paradigms to stimulate community revitalization. A panelist from Habitat for Humanity will share her experience on rebuilding communities both within and outside the U.S. More international housing and redevelopment knowhow will come from panelists working in Mexicali, Mexico and Ottawa, Canada. As we strive to create better housing, neighborhoods, and enhanced services for our future communities, international experiences will take on increasing relevance to this challenging task.
• Leading High Producing Teams
  Whether your housing organization is large or small; high performer or troubled; sailing along or stuck in the mud; you as the leader improve it by developing each of your employees to reach their full potential. An organization cannot increase its productivity - but its people can! Learn how one high performing housing authority continues to excel in all areas of its operations by applying time tested leadership principles and concepts.
  
• E-procurement - Not Just for Others Anymore
  Come experience a live demonstration of the system and put it through its paces. See for yourself why this five-year-old system has become a success with NAHRO's agency members and their suppliers. Participants will receive a CD-Rom with all the information they need to get started.
• Innovative Financing for Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Preservation of Affordable Housing
  This session features two NAHRO Awards of Excellence winners. First, the Clearwater Housing Authority will describe how they used Housing Revenue Bonds as source of funds to finance affordable housing to acquire Mainstreet Apartments. Second, the Housing Opportunity Commission (in Montgomery County, MD) will describe innovative financing they secured for affordable housing rehabilitation and preservation.
  
• Fee for Service
  Fee for service may be the future of the administrative fees for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Hear from an agency which has successfully implemented a fee for service for its public housing program and how and why it is preparing to use a fee for service approach for its Housing Choice Voucher Program. Know what information is necessary and how to develop and use reports to obtain and understand the data. Learn the benefits of fee for service budgeting of your HCV program to know the real cost of doing business.
  
  

2:15-2:45 p.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Improve Facility Energy Efficiency and Reduce Repairs through Energy Performance Contracting
  This session will discuss how energy performance contracting can improve facility energy efficiency and reduce repair and maintenance costs caused by inadequate, aging, or obsolete equipment. Realize how water and energy retrofits can conserve energy and water resources. Review equipment and systems targeted by energy conservation measures--appliances, water (toilets and other low flow fixtures), lighting, windows, domestic hot water, ventilation, HVAC systems and related controls.
  

3:00-3:30 p.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Creating Maintenance Efficiencies with Technology
  This session will discuss how technology can assist housing authorities and maintenance staff members cope with the ever-ending issue of having to do more and more work with fewer resources. Come explore how technology can assist in creating efficiencies in the maintenance department.
  

4:00-4:30 p.m.
Maintenance Clinic Sponsored by the MSC

• Opportunities for Sustainable, Renewable, and Green Projects (Repeat from Sunday)
  Presenters will discuss sustainability, renewable energy, and "green" projects and the definitions of each. There are opportunities to save money by implementing sustainable, renewable, and green aspects into new construction projects, renovation projects, and the day-to-day operations of housing authorities. The presenters will discuss specific examples and the available methods of implementing and financing them, along with the importance of educating tenants and staff to promote energy conservation and cost cutting. Don't miss it!
  

4:00-5:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

• Are Your Skills Being Utilized?
  Learn how your colleagues have used their professional skills to assist PHAs further their mission. Do you have knowledge of accounting? Real estate? Community dynamics? Many commissioners want to contribute more to the success of the agencies, but may be concerned about overstepping their role as policy makers or interfering with day to day operations. Participants will take home new ideas and methodologies to increase their effectiveness with greater clarity about boundaries. (The outsourcing session originally scheduled for this time slot will not be held.)
• Strength in Numbers: A Session on Consortia
  Are you a small PHA and/or located in close proximity to other PHAs? Will your PHA have sufficient revenue to operate in the future? HUD is urging small PHAs to consolidate and form consortiums. Are there administrative savings that can be had by developing cooperative agreements or joint power agreements (JPA) for various services with other PHAs in the vicinity? What are the pros and cons to consolidation or consortium and/or other cooperative relationships? Examples will be provided from PHAs who have had successes and failures in trying to consolidate, form consortiums, or develop other joint service agreements.
• Creative Use of Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (Replaces: How to Steer off the Chartered HCV Course and Still Reach Your Destination)
  Be daring and chart how your program can be part of a bigger voyage in providing affordable housing. Learn how to survive the storms of project-base, tax credits, HOME and other programs and reach the calmer waters of meeting program goals.
• How to Navigate Community Development – The Basics
  What does "Community Development" mean to Housing Authorities and other public entities? This session provides an overview of typical Community Development (CD) activities that should be of interest to those who have not been involved in CD activities before. Panelists will share their thoughts and experience on the variety of projects that can be accomplished in the Community Development arena. This session will also identify the various funding sources available for CD projects; how to navigate through the due diligence to ensure successful completion of projects; how to establish and maintain essential partnerships with both public and private entities; and provide techniques for working with HUD Community Planning and Development officials.
• Project-Based Vouchers: The Untapped Resource
  A recent study by the California Housing Partnership Corporation for the MacArthur Foundation concluded that if housing authorities in 44 high cost rental markets nationally project-based just half of the vouchers they are permitted to under current law, they could raise an additional $825 million in private financing annually, enough to build an additional 15,000 affordable apartments each year. Come talk with expert users of this relatively new and underused program about how you can put this powerful financing tool to work and how legislation pending in Congress could make it better and easier to use in 2008.
• Technology-Based Anti-Poverty Programs
  Get your residents connected. The 21rst Century economy is online. Online, children learn, their parents work, and families experience the world. Access to IT and the Internet means access to resources, opportunities, and self-sufficiency. This workshop will show how public housing authorities can initiate a technology-based anti-poverty program. It will illustrate: the best self-help online content; resources currently available to reduce the cost of installing in-home Internet access; and best practices for connecting your residents.
• Fraud Detection: Preserving Assets and Saving Public Dollars: Part II
  The role and responsibility for any commissioner includes the oversight of agency operations and programs. Saving Public Funds, as a Commissioner - by using fraud detection systems and establishing key "Prevention Policies and Programs" for your agency. Participants will receive a copy from the Office of Inspector General of their latest "OIG Guidelines for Public Housing Authorities to Prevent, Detect, and Report Fraud, as well as a copy of the federal legislation governing employee background checks and the like. Fraud, abuse or lack of internal and external controls and systems cut away at already reduced federal funding and programs. Participants will be given an opportunity for interactive participation and a question and answer period. These sessions are particularly suited for new and seasoned commissioners as well as administrators and staff.
  

5:30-7:00 p.m.
Tour of the Exhibit Hall and Refreshments
This is your last chance to tour the Exhibit Hall until next year.

Tuesday, October 30

8:00 a.m.-Noon
Registration Continues

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions

• Alternatives to Public Housing
  Do you have underperforming public housing properties and there isn't sufficient revenue to cover the operating costs? Do you have some older public housing properties that need major renovation but you don't have enough Capital Funds and don't qualify for Hope VI? Are you interested in getting your properties out of public housing? This session will discuss several approaches to converting public housing to other affordable housing stock. Examples will be provided by several PHAs on how they are converting old public housing stock into other affordable housing.
• Special Needs Housing Solutions
  Many communities are struggling with the need to provide permanent, supportive housing for special needs populations - congregate care for very low income frail seniors, supportive housing for homeless mentally ill etc. This session will present case studies of highly successful housing developments in California that meet these identified needs. The session will focus on how they were financed and how their ongoing operations are structured for their continued success.
• New HUD Procurement Rules
  This session will cover changes/updates to HUD's new procurement requirement for local housing agencies and how they impact future operations; procurement methods that increase proficiency and decrease costs; what HUD monitors are likely to look for in a procurement review; and the lessons learned about procurement under asset management.
• Integrating Immigrant Populations into Our Communities
  The United States continues to be a melting pot. Local housing Authorities are on the front lines of the efforts to assist immigrant populations to assimilate into American culture and life. As ever, the provision of affordable housing is a fundamental need that is key to the stabilization of families to permit their integration into local communities. Learn what challenges have been faced by various cities and housing authorities, learn from their successes and re-works, and take home ideas that can lead to inspiring outcomes for your community.
• Using Your Balance Sheet to Fund Development - Housing Authorities Can Do It Too!
  Struggling to finance development or acquisition? Frustrated with not being able to use your federal housing assets as collateral? One way to meet this need is to borrow on the strength of your agency's financial balance sheet. Long a mechanism in the private sector, Fannie Mae is now utilizing its Community Express loan product to provide this opportunity to public agencies, including housing authorities. Come find out how this financing tool can be used, and how your agency can make the most of this opportunity.
  
  

9:30-11:30 a.m.
Study Tours
Tour innovative and successful housing and redevelopment activities in the San Diego area.

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

• Technology: Ally or Foe
  As HUD relies more and more on electronic reporting, you need to learn how to stay afloat and maneuver smoothly through the electronic waters and not get shocked. This session will help you understand the appropriate use of the online HUD tools and how they can coach you in the administration of your program. Hear from experts on the importance of knowing the how and why of your submissions and how to minimize errors to ensure a true reflection of your agency's performance. Stop spending time drowning in problems and learn how to use technology to your advantage.
  
• Transit-Oriented Development – The Wave of the Future
  What will the perfect neighborhood look like in the future? Ideally, the neighborhood will be a seamless mix of both market rate and affordable housing developed close to public transportation to expand job opportunities for low income residents and reduce our dependence on vehicles and diminishing fuel resources. Panelists will discuss successful examples of transit-oriented housing developments that provide much needed and workable transportation alternatives for all families. Buses, trains, trolleys, shuttles and even bicycles combined with affordable housing equate to environmentally friendly and vibrant communities with fewer traffic problems. This session will offer innovative ideas for transit-oriented housing developments that are sure to set a new standard in the industry. Get ready for this new wave in tomorrow's communities!
• Capital Fund Financing
  Learn how PHAs are permitted to leverage current Capital Fund dollars to finance loans for public housing modernization and development work through the Capital Fund Financing process. The presentation will provide background on regulations allowing debt service, walk attendees through the HUD process, and explain the differences in a loan product and bonds. Presenters will provide examples of how PHAs of all sizes across the country have used loan proceeds to upgrade their housing stock. Learn how Capital Fund Financing can improve your housing stock and help your agency prepare for asset management.
  
• Raise the Roof/Spread the Word (this advocacy session was originally scheduled for Monday)
  Educating decision-makers and the public about the importance of decent, safe, and affordable housing in quality communities is necessary to sustain the funding and programs necessary to accomplish the task. This is certainly true on the national level, but it is vital at the state and local level as well. Communicating affordable housing's value can be done in a number of ways, utilizing a variety of strategies all aimed at cultivating an informed constituency. NAHRO wants to inform members about the most effective means of accomplishing this objective. This session will provide specific examples of how individuals and local entities have attempted to build support of programs and resources necessary to meet local housing and community development objectives through informing their communities. This session is sponsored by The Campaign for Affordable Housing. The Campaign is a national, nonpolitical, nonprofit organization dedicated to dispelling negative stereotypes surrounding affordable housing. Supported by a wide range of industry leaders, The Campaign promotes the benefits of affordable housing and acts as a clearinghouse for local and regional organizations.
  

12:00-1:30 p.m.
Open Forum (tentative)

1:30-3:30 p.m.
Closing General Session and Awards of Excellence
Featuring the NAHRO Awards of Excellence and the introduction of the 2007-2009 NAHRO Leadership Team.

Post-Conference Event
Wednesday, October 31
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m
Getting On-Line and In-Step with NAHRO e-Procurement
NAHRO developed the e-procurement system to provide agencies a more efficient and cost-effective approach to procurement that also assisted with compliance issues. With more and more agencies getting on-line, now is the time to learn the ins and outs of getting around. Come see how easy it really is! This seminar will cover:

• How to get onto the system
• Conducting bids and RFPs on the Internet
• Staying compliant with HUD procurement regulations
• Simple solutions to save time and money doing your bids and RFPs

Ready to Register? Click here to Register Online or to Download the Registration Form (includes pricing information)

Hotel and Travel Information

Hotel Information
NAHRO's room blocks are now closed. Rooms may still be available at the participating hotels, but you must call the hotels directly to check on availability, and NAHRO cannot guarantee the rate for these rooms.

Participating Hotels:
San Diego Marriott Hotel (.05 miles from the convention center)
333 West Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-234-1500

Omni San Diego Hotel (.12 miles from the convention center)
675 L Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-231-6664

Manchester Grand Hyatt (.32 miles from the convention center)
One Marketplace
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-232-1234

Ivy Hotel
630 F Street (.57 miles from the convention center)
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-814-1000

Please note: Shuttle service will not be provided between the Convention Center and the San Diego Marriott, San Diego Omni, or the Manchester Grand Hyatt due to their close proximity to the Convention Center, however morning and evening shuttle service will be provided between the Convention Center and the Ivy Hotel.

Hotel Changes/Cancellations
Name changes, arrival/departure changes and or cancellations at the participating conference hotels may be submitted via the passkey system until September 21, 2007. After this date, please contact the hotel directly. Deposits will be refundable for cancellations received on or before September 21. Deposits will be forfeited for cancellations and/or confirmed hotel assignment changes made after September 21. Please note changes to your confirmed hotel assignment made prior to September 21 will incur no penalty. Changes to your confirmed hotel assignment made after September 21 will result in a forfeit of your hotel deposit.

Hotel Acknowledgment/Confirmations
You will receive an acknowledgment of your hotel reservation at a participating conference hotel from the online Passkey System upon completion of your reservation. Your official hotel confirmation will be sent to you directly from your confirmed hotel prior to your hotel arrival date. If you do not receive your official confirmation by October 19, please contact your confirmed hotel directly.

Travel Information
Please check with your local travel agent, airline, or online reservation service to make your airline arrangements. San Diego International Airport is located three miles north of downtown San Diego. The airport is serviced by many leading airlines including American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways, and many more.

Motorized Scooters
NAHRO has arranged for scooter rentals through ScootAround, Inc. To reserve your equipment please call toll-free 1-888-441-7575 or visit them at http://www.scootaround.com/rentals/n/nahro.net ScootAround accepts Visa and MasterCard for all rentals.

Want to Know about San Diego?
For more information on things to see and do in San Diego, please visit http://www.meetmeinsandiego.com/nahro/.