Community Associations Network Industry News

For American Homeowners Association (AHA) president and founder Richard J. Roll, Bridgeport’s latest fire fatality is much more than a statistic. It IS family.

The March 29 fire killed AHA employee Ramona Holliday, along with her father and 2-year-old daughter. The lack of working smoke alarms was blamed in connection with their deaths.

“Ramona and her family are just three of the nearly 4,000 individuals who die each year in home fires – deaths that might be prevented with increased awareness of basic, yet critical, smoke alarm facts,” said Richard Roll, AHA Founder and President. “We designed this initiative to prevent needless tragedies by spreading vital smoke alarm-related information and reaching everyone who thinks ‘It can’t happen to me.’”

Consumers can obtain their free UL-Listed, Kidde Smoke Alarm ($20 retail value), by visiting www.ahahome.com/freesmokealarm.

In addition to the smoke alarm, participants will receive a trial membership in the AHA to use without obligation for 60 days. A small $1.95 processing fee applies to help defray the cost of shipping and handling. It is not necessary to be a homeowner, and all renters and landlords are invited to obtain the free smoke alarm through this program.

“This isn’t just a Bridgeport problem. Home fires are taking the lives of individuals from California to New York,” said Roll. “Our goal is to make people aware that a working smoke alarm is a matter of life or death and provide them with tools that can help them avert such tragedies.”

TOP 10 SMOKE ALARM TIPS

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, having a working smoke alarm reduces one’s chance of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent because it provides individuals with an early warning and gives them additional time to escape.

American Homeowners Association (AHA) compiled the following list of Top 10 Tips for purchasing, maintaining and installing smoke alarms and Underwriters Laboratories, a not-for-profit product safety certification organization, has tested the Kidde Smoke Alarm that AHA is giving away:
1. You may need several smoke alarms to adequately protect your family – install at least one on every level of your home, including the basement and outside each sleeping area;
2. If you or family members sleep with the bedroom door closed, install smoke alarms inside the bedroom;
3. Some individuals, particularly children, older people, and those with special needs, may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm. You should be aware of this when developing a home fire escape plan;
4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing smoke alarms;
5. Install smoke alarms far enough away from ordinary cooking smoke to avoid false alarms, a common and dangerous reason for disarming smoke alarms;
6. Don't disconnect a smoke alarm or "borrow" the batteries;
7. Test smoke alarms at least once a month;
8. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms twice a year;
9. Replace the smoke alarm every 10 years, or as the manufacturer recommends; and
10. When you purchase a smoke alarm, look for the UL Mark. The symbol indicates representative samples of the alarm have met UL’s stringent safety standards.

American Homeowners Association (AHA), often called the “AAA” for Homeowners, is giving away $5 million of Kidde Smoke Alarms to educate people about the importance of smoke alarms. AHA: adding lifetimes of value to your home and $1000s of savings. To get your f^ree Kidde Smoke Alarm and learn more, visit: www.ahahome.com/freesmokealarm

About The American Homeowners Association
The American Homeowners Association (AHA), America's leading homeowner membership and advocacy group, has delivered buying power, influence and consumer advice to millions of homeowners in every state since 1994. Frequently called "the AAA for homeowners," AHA has its headquarters in Stamford, Conn. AHA provides its members with more than 30 key benefits that save them money; provide opportunities for improving their lives, security and safety at home; educate and inform them on homeowner topics and transactions; and provide a unified voice to elected officials on behalf of homeowners on important issues. For more information, visit www.ahahome.com/freesmokealarm

Posted by Joe at 9:52 AM | Permalink

Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR - News), the nation's largest independent hotel management company, today announced that it has been selected to manage the 1,100-unit Pinnacle Condominium Resort in Las Vegas. The twin-tower, 36-story structure, currently in pre-sale, is expected to break ground in the fall of 2006 and open in the second quarter of 2009. The resort may offer its condominium owners the opportunity to place their units in a rental arrangement. The $850 million condo resort project is being developed by The Falcon Group, which also owns the land.

"We have significant experience in the condominium hotel niche and are well versed in the operation of these complex, lifestyle destination resorts that have a mix of resident owners, vacation and second residence owners and resort guests," said Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate's chief executive officer. "As a current operator of condo hotels, we fully understand the service, operations and marketing aspects of these unique projects."

Situated on 12 acres off Las Vegas' West Strip, Pinnacle will be an architecturally unique "vertical neighborhood," consisting of two curvilinear, 36-story condominium resort towers connected by three "Sky Bridge" suites, ultra-luxurious two-story, glass-clad residences, each with their own rooftop gardens and panoramic views. In addition to the 1,100 residences, the luxury development will feature a three-acre amenity pool deck on the sixth floor that includes a pool with island; poolside snack bar; private cabanas; lounge with full bar, dining, banquet and meeting space; one-quarter-mile jogging track; movie theater; fully equipped health and fitness center; and full- service spa. The hotel will offer multiple food and beverage outlets, as well as a gourmet market and coffee bar and ground-floor retail and executive office space.

"While we have owned the land for years, we believe that now is the right time to develop this unique project," said Michael Bellon, development director of Pinnacle and a partner of the Falcon Group, a consortium of Pennsylvania and Las Vegas-based businessmen. "We realize that this is a very complex undertaking, and we sought out an experienced operator that has a proven track record in this very specialized segment. Interstate has the size and scale that translates into strong operational management and synergies in such areas as marketing and purchasing. Perhaps more important, we believe they have the ability to transform this project into a one-of-a-kind lifestyle destination."

The Falcon Group is a strategic alliance of developers and investors consisting of the Falconi Group, Praxis Resources, Inc. and Elysium Enterprises. The Falconi Group has been operating for many years in the Las Vegas market and has a long history of residential development throughout the U.S. Praxis Resources, Inc. is a real estate development company whose management has been associated with many prominent retail projects throughout the country. Elysium Enterprises is led by Las Vegas resident Mike Bellon, a successful real estate developer and entrepreneur. For more information, visit http://www.thepinnaclelasvegas.com, or contact the Pinnacle sales center at (877) 889-4144.

As of April 30, 2006, Interstate Hotels & Resorts operated 266 hospitality properties with more than 60,000 rooms in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Russia. BridgeStreet Worldwide, an Interstate Hotels & Resorts' subsidiary, is one of the world's largest corporate housing providers. BridgeStreet and its network of Global Partners offer more than 8,900 corporate apartments located in more than 90 MSAs throughout the United States and internationally. For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company's Web site: http://www.ihrco.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, including those statements regarding future operating results and the timing and composition of revenues, among others, and statements containing words such as "expects," "believes" or "will," which indicate that those statements are forward-looking. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including the volatility of the national economy, economic conditions generally and the hotel and real estate markets specifically, the aftermath of the war with Iraq, international and geopolitical difficulties or health concerns, governmental actions, legislative and regulatory changes, availability of debt and equity capital, interest rates, competition, weather conditions or natural disasters, supply and demand for lodging facilities in our current and proposed market areas, and the company's ability to manage integration and growth. Additional risks are discussed in Interstate Hotels & Resorts' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Interstate Hotels & Resorts' annual report on Form 10-K as amended for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Posted by Joe at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Distinction honors exemplary commitment to ethical business practices
Dallas, TX (May 8, 2006) – RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc. (CMA), a leading Dallas-Fort Worth community management company, today announced that it has been awarded the prestigious 2006 Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award. This award, presented by the Dallas Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, Edwin L. Cox School of Business and Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility, Southern Methodist University, Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Fort Worth, and North Texas Ethics and Character Association, honors companies that demonstrate a firm commitment to ethical business practices in everyday operations, management philosophies, and responses to crises or challenges.

The award was based on comprehensive evaluation of CMA’s ethical commitment and performance in the following areas: Executive Commitment to Business Ethics, Company Ethics Program, Demonstration of Sound Ethical Business Practices and Demonstration of Commitment to Stakeholders.

“CMA was founded over 20 years ago upon the tenets of professionalism and integrity,” said Judi Phares, CMA president and CEO. “From the very beginning we have been committed to attracting and mentoring the right people and giving them the appropriate support system, including a value-driven culture and excellent tools with which to work. Not only does CMA adhere to the highest standards of integrity, but we also counsel the community associations we serve to raise the bar for ethical management of their communities as well.”

CMA received the award at a celebratory event sponsored by Gardere Attorneys and Counselors in Dallas on May 2, 2006.

About CMA

CMA provides contract management and consulting services for over 150 community associations in North Texas representing more than 65,000 residential, high-rise and commercial units. For more information on CMA, please call 972-934-0400 or visit www.cmamanagement.com.

Posted by Joe at 12:28 PM | Permalink

EMB Management, an Accredited Management Organization locally founded in the Seattle area, has joined with Associa, the nationally recognized leader in community association management. EMB has been a strong presence in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties for 15 years. The company specializes in the management of condominium and homeowner associations.

EMB Management Inc. has been a leader in the management, maintenance and accounting services of planned communities and condominiums, currently managing over 65 communities and representing approximately 4,000 residences. EMB was founded in 1991 by Ellen Fix, who remains president of the company. Ms. Fix has over 25 years association and property management experience in the Northwest. Originally from Spokane, she is a graduate of the University of Washington and is a designated/licensed real estate broker.

Of the announcement, Ms. Fix said, "This brings a level of service to the State of Washington that has never before been offered by a local management company. EMB customers will experience benefits to enhance their community and property."

Joining the more than 35 other Associa Member Companies means that EMB Management's communities will be able to participate in many of the benefits and features offered by Associa. Associa has established a variety of national discount purchasing programs in insurance, refuse removal, utilities and telecommunications, which afford clients products and services of the highest quality at the most competitive prices for their needs. Associa companies also make available to each of their associations personalized web sites that allow residents access to a wealth of online services including interactive community calendars, board and committee discussion groups, access to association documents, and much more.

For more information on EMB, please visit http://www.embmanagement.com or call (425) 452-7330.

Founded in 1979, Associa is America's leading community association management and developer services company. With offices all across North America, Associa is the largest company in the United States devoted exclusively to the management of community associations, representing thousands of communities from coast to coast. For more information, please visit http://www.associaonline.com .

Posted by Joe at 10:45 AM | Permalink

There's only one place in 2006 where management company executives from across the country will gather to address critical business development issues—CAI's 19th Annual CEO-MC Retreat, June 22-24, at the scenic Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, California.

The 2006 theme for the always-popular event will be organizational audits, and how this tool can help management companies serve clients and enhance profitability.

Three general sessions and six education sessions will address key components of an organizational audit—including management structure, administrative and overhead structure, human resources, insurance, accounting, cost and profitability and technology.

Internal auditing helps ensure that organizations meet their goals and objectives by:

* Improving controls, processes and procedures, performance and risk management.
* Suggesting ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues and improve profits.
* Evaluating whether policies and procedures are being followed.
* Educating management on critical issues.
* Monitoring compliance with laws and regulations.
* Assessing operations and making best-practice recommendations.

Last year's CEO-MC Retreat drew a record crowd of more than 150 industry executives. While the event received high marks, executives asked CAI to develop a more business-focused program for the 2006 retreat. Specifically, they urged CAI to recruit outside business experts to address advanced business topics focusing on corporate growth and profitability.

"That's exactly what we've done, and why management company executives will find this program especially relevant to their success and profitability," says Dennis C. Abbott, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, chair of the CEO-MC Retreat Task Force and chief executive officer of Abbott Enterprises Inc. "Periodic business audits—and making the right decisions based on what you learn—are indispensable in our highly competitive business environment. This program can make a real difference for members."

As an added benefit, those who attend the retreat will receive a CD-ROM with all speaker materials as well as audio of each education session.

The setting for the event is spectacular. Combining historic elegance with modern appointments, the Fairmont Miramar sits atop the scenic bluffs of Santa Monica Beach, with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The facility offers a beautiful swimming pool, extensive meeting facilities, and a well-equipped health club and day spa. For the better part of this century, the hotel has been a celebrated Santa Monica landmark and a stunning tribute to the elegance and charm of a bygone era.

Additional programming and registration information can be accessed at www.caionline.com, or by calling CAI toll-free at (888) 224-4321 (M-F, 9-6:30 ET). The registration fee is $425 on or before May 23, but increases to $485 after that date.

For members and general inquiries, contact the CAI Direct customer service team:
Community Associations Institute
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-548-8600
Fax: 703-684-1581
Email: CAIdirect@caionline.org

Posted by Joe at 9:56 AM | Permalink

ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 16, 2006 – Perhaps more than any other community association constituency, management company executives recognize the scope of the challenges associations face. That unique perspective explains why more than 150 management companies are supporting their managers with individual professional memberships in Community Associations Institute (CAI).

CAI launched a major membership transition beginning in July 2005, placing strong emphasis on individual memberships for community association managers in an effort to elevate the status of the profession. Since that time, manager memberships have increased from about 1,200 to more than 4,000.

"We're reminded everyday of the complexities of community association management and the type of professionals we need to succeed," says Debra A. Warren, who chairs the board of CAI's Association of Professional Community Managers (APCM). "We know the value of true professionalism because we rely on these professionals to meet the expectations of our clients—and to grow our businesses."

"Management companies engineered the culture of professionalism that exists in our industry, but we cannot become complacent," Warren adds. "Industry stewardship is continuous—and contagious. We need to be leaders when it comes to the future of this profession. We created APCM to instill a mindset of professionalism and give our managers a home within CAI so they can take full advantage of the education and resources available to them."

Manager members of CAI receive benefits designed to enhance their professional growth and elevate their value as employees. These benefits include:

* Enrollment in APCM and the opportunity to take advantage of chapter involvement and resources.

* Personal subscriptions to Common Ground, CAI's award-winning, bimonthly magazine, and Community Manager, a recently expanded and enhanced bi-monthly newsletter tailored to meet the specific career and professional needs of managers.

* The most comprehensive curriculum of professional education available for community association managers.

* Access to a vast online network of resources, information and practical tools.

* An invaluable network of peers, mentors and experts.

A complete list of membership benefits can be accessed at www.caionline.org/benefits/manager.cfm.

APCM was created based on the conviction that managers who belong to professional organizations are more likely to learn, excel and become more effective community managers—and better long-term ambassadors for both their companies and the profession as a whole. This reality has been demonstrated in countless professions, including accounting, human resources, communications and law enforcement.

"By purchasing individual CAI memberships for their managers, management companies are contributing immeasurably to the growth and vitality of the community management profession," said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, MBA, CAE. "Management company executives who support their managers in this important way are sending a strong message that they place a high value on professional development, personal growth and customer service."

Adds Warren: "By elevating the value of professional management, we are stimulating greater marketplace respect for the management companies that serve community associations. Our success will be measured not just by our business achievements, but also by strength of the profession and the success of our clients."

The following CAI management companies were providing memberships to their professional managers as of May 1, 2006:

* Abbott Enterprises, Inc., AAMC, Charlotte, NC

* Access Property Management, Inc., AAMC, Flemington, NJ

* Alliance Association Management, Round Rock, TX

* Appletree Management Group, Inc., AAMC, Moscow, PA

* Armstrong Management Services, AAMC, Fairfax, VA

* Associated Asset Management, Phoenix, AZ

* Association & Community Managing Professionals, Inc., AAMC, Houston, TX

* Association Advisors, Red Bank, NJ

* Association Management Inc., Shelby Township, MI

* Association Management Services, AAMC, San Antonio, TX

* Association Management, Inc., AAMC, San Antonio, TX

* Avalon Management Group, Los Angeles, CA

* Benchmark Association Services, AAMC, Las Vegas, NV

* Benson's Inc., AAMC, Ft. Myers, FL

* Bluegreen Corp., Myrtle Beach, SC

* Boothby Realty, Inc., Birmingham, AL

* C&S Condo Management Services, Bradenton, FL

* C.I.A. Services, Humble, TX

* Cadden Community Management, Tucson, AZ

* CAMCO Management Co., Inc., Penn Valley, PA

* Campion and Company, Los Angeles, CA

* Capital Consultants Management Corp., Dallas, TX

* Capital Consultants Management Corp., Scottsdale, AZ

* Cardinal Management Group, AAMC, Springfield, VA

* Cardinal Property Management, AAMC/CMF, Anaheim, CA

* Carolina Association Management, Charlotte, NC

* CCM Management, Inc., AAMC, Mt. Pleasant, SC

* CDC Management Services, Inc., AAMC, Kirkland, WA

* Century 21 Sweyer/CAMS, Wilmington, NC

* Certified Management, Inc., AAMC, Honolulu, HI

* Charleston Management Corp., Raleigh, NC

* Chicora Development, Myrtle Beach, SC

* Cityside Management Corp., Merrimack, NH

* Classic Property Management, Arlington, TX

* Clover Management, Clarence, NY

* Community Association Management, LLC, Stevenson, MD

* Community Association Services, Inc., AAMC, Pinehurst, NC

* Community Association Services, Inc., AAMC, Gaithersburg, MD

* Community Management Associates, Atlanta, GA

* Community Management Corporation, Fairfax, VA

* Community Management Services Group, Inc., Mount Laurel, NJ

* Community Management, Inc., AAMC, Portland, OR

* Community Property Management, Camarillo, CA

* ComSource Management, Inc., Olney, MD

* Condominium Management Advisory Services, Milwaukee, WI

* Condominium Property Management, Manchester, MO

* Condominium Services, Inc., Atlanta, GA

* Cornerstone Association Management, Dallas, TX

* Cornerstone Properties, Inc., Phoenix, AZ

* CWD Group, Inc., AAMC, Seattle, WA

* D.H. Bader Management Services, Inc., Sykesville, MD

* Delbe Real Estate Co., Washington, DC

* Development Consultants, Inc., Hollywood, FL

* Double Diamond Management Company, Reno, NV

* East West Resorts, Avon, CO

* Elite Community Management, San Diego, CA

* Elliott Merrill Community Management, AAMC, Vero Beach, FL

* EMB Management, Inc., AAMC, Bellevue, WA

* Emerald Coast Association Management, AAMC, Destin, FL

* Eugene Burger Management Corp., Las Vegas, NV

* Evergreen Management, AAMC, Bedford, NH

* Excel Association Management Inc., AAMC, Plano, TX

* Executive Property Management, AAMC, North Brunswick, NJ

* FCS Community Management, AAMC, West Jordan, UT

* Foster/Premier Inc., Plainfield, IL

* Ghertner & Co., AAMC, Nashville, TN

* Ginn Property Management, Palm Coast, FL

* Gold Crown Management, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC

* Hammersmith Management Co., AAMC, Golden, CO

* Hawaiiana Management Co., Ltd., AAMC, Honolulu, HI

* Hawthorne Management Company, Charlotte, NC

* Heil, Heil, Smart & Golee, Evanston, IL

* Henderson Properties, Charlotte, NC

* Heritage Property Management, Inc., Oldsmar, FL

* Heritage Property Management Services, Inc., Atlanta, GA

* Herriman & Associates, Inc., Plymouth, MI

* Homeowner Management Services, Inc., Alpharetta, GA

* Homeowners Association Management Co., Prescott, AZ

* Horizon Management Company, Torrance, CA

* HRW, Inc., AAMC, Raleigh, NC

* I&I Property Management, AAMC, Fresno, CA

* IPM, AAMC, Arden, NC

* Kappes Miller Management, Kirkland, WA

* Keystone Pacific Property Management, Irvine, CA

* Koger Management Group, Inc., Springfield, VA

* Kramer Triad Management Group, AAMC, Troy, MI

* Landmarc Real Estate, Stafford, VA

* LCM Property Management, Denver, CO

* Legum & Norman, Inc., AAMC, Alexandria, VA

* Leisure Life Management Company, Surprise, AZ

* Leland Management, Inc., Summerfield, FL

* Lewis Management Resources, AAMC, Tucson, AZ

* M&C Assn Management Services, Inc., AAMC, Stockton, CA

* MAMCO, Inc., Mount Laurel, NJ

* Management Advantage, Inc., AAMC, Colorado Springs, CO

* Management Specialists, Broomfield, CO

* Mid-Atlantic Management Corp., AAMC, Plymouth Meeting, PA

* MRA Property Management, Inc., Port Deposit, MD

* Multi-Services, Inc., Portland, OR

* Neighborhood Management Associates, AAMC, Mt. Pleasant, SC

* Planned Community Management, Inc., AAMC, Houston, TX

* Powar Management/RealManage, San Rafael, CA

* PPM, Inc., Raleigh, NC

* Principal Management Group, AAMC, Hurst, TX

* PROCAM, LLC, Alexandria, VA

* Professional Community Management, Hawthorne, CA

* Professional Community Management, AAMC, Millersville, MD

* Progressive Community Management, AAMC, Sarasota, FL

* Property Management Consultants, Inc., San Diego, CA

* Property Management People, AAMC, Frederick, MD

* Property Management Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT

* Prospect Management Company, Glendale, WI

* Pyramid Real Estate Group, Stamford, CT

* R&J Services, Mililani, HI

* Rampart Properties, Inc., AAMC, Safety Harbor, FL

* RCP Management, AAMC, Princeton, NJ

* Real Property Management, AAMC, Lewis Center, OH

* Renner Management Group, Inc., North Royalton, OH

* Resource Property Management, AAMC, Seminole, FL

* RMI Management, LLC, Las Vegas, NV

* Rossmar & Graham Management Company, Scottsdale, AZ

* RTI/Community Management Associates, Inc., AAMC, Hurst, TX

* Sandcastle Community Management, Inc., Naples, FL

* SBB Management Co., AAMC, Dallas, TX

* Seabreeze Management Co., AAMC, Aliso Viejo, CA

* Sentry Management Co., Clearwater, FL

* Sequoia Management Co., AAMC, Chantilly, VA

* Signature Property Group, AAMC, Neptune, NJ

* Solon Gershman, Inc., AAMC, St. Louis, MO

* Sterling Association Services, Inc., Houston, TX

* Sterling Resorts, Inc., Lynn Haven, FL

* Sudler, AAMC, Chicago, IL

* Summit Management Services, Inc., Silver Spring, MD

* Talis Management Group, Inc., AAMC, Raleigh, NC

* Taylor Management Co., AAMC, Cedar Knolls, NJ

* The Association Office, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

* The Select Group, AAMC, Virginia Beach, VA

* The Warren Management Group, Inc., AAMC, Colorado Springs, CO

* Thoroughbred Management, Las Vegas, NV

* Timmons Properties, Inc., AAMC, Nashville, TN

* TMC Realty & Management, Inc., Las Vegas, NV

* Trenton Property Services, Inc., Bel Air, MD

* Tyler Community Management, Inc., AAMC, Lakewood, CO

* United Property Associates, Virginia Beach, VA

* Valencia Management Group, AAMC, Valencia, CA

* Vanguard Management, AAMC, Roselle, IL
* Vanguard Management Associates, Inc., Germantown, MD

* Vista Management Co., Inc., Silver Spring, MD

* Walters Management Company, AAMC, San Diego, CA

* Wentworth Group, AAMC, Morganville, NJ

* Westwind Management Group, Inc., Aurora, CO

* Wilkin Management Group, Inc., Mahwah, NJ

* Worldmark By Trendwest, Redmond, WA

* Zalco Realty, Inc., AAMC, Silver Spring, MD

Note: Many of the firms listed above have earned CAI's Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) designation. This accreditation demonstrates a company's commitment to providing the unique and diverse services community associations need. An AAMC ensures that its professional staff members have the training, skills, experience and integrity to help communities succeed. For more information, go to www.caionline.org/about/designations_management.cfm.

Posted by Joe at 11:10 AM | Permalink

Becker & Poliakoff, a diversified commercial law firm with more than one hundred attorneys in fifteen offices throughout Florida, today announced the posting of its online "2006 Community Association Hurricane Preparedness Checklist" to help condo, homeowner and other community associations statewide prepare to protect their properties and residents during the upcoming 2006 hurricane season.

Becker & Poliakoff's 2006 Community Association Hurricane Preparedness Checklist, available online at http://www.hurricane-recovery.com or via fax upon request to Becker & Poliakoff offices statewide, includes 12 critical points that professionals and board members who manage or direct the affairs of common-ownership housing communities should keep in mind to adequately prepare themselves and their communities in the event of hurricane- and storm- related disasters.

"During the 2004 and 2005 storm seasons, many community associations in South Florida and throughout the state learned somber and often costly lessons about the issue of careful preparation in protecting themselves in the recovery process," said Becker & Poliakoff shareholder Kenneth S. Direktor, a Palm Beaches-based attorney who leads the firm's Community Association practice statewide. "This checklist identifies and addresses many of the most commonly asked questions and will help board members take a more organized approach to issues that require swift action."

Leading hurricane forecasters predict an active 2006 tropical storm season, which officially kicks off June 1st, calling for a total of 17 named tropical storms, including nine hurricanes -- five of which will be classified as "major," with winds in excess of 110 miles per hour. The 2006 storm activity is expected to be above average, though less active than the 2005 season, which was the most active in recorded history, with a total 28 named storms, including 15 hurricanes -- seven classified as "major" and a record five of those making landfall on the U.S. mainland.

Becker & Poliakoff's 12-point Hurricane Preparedness Checklist includes the following tips for those who need to prepare their communities for the 2006 hurricane season:

1. Disaster Plan - Do a risk analysis of potential consequences of a storm
and develop a complete disaster plan, designating a responsible community
member as Disaster Plan Coordinator and another as Information Facilitator
to field queries from and respond to community members;

2. Evacuation Routes - Establish clear building or community evacuation
routes and be sure that all community members are provided with copies or
printouts and that routes are clearly marked as storms approach; conduct

building or community evacuation drills in the weeks leading up to
hurricane season;

3. Emergency Generators & Supplies - Be sure emergency generators are in
working order and have adequate fuel supplies, stock a building or
community emergency supplies storeroom with flashlights, batteries, water
and other necessities for residents and employees in the aftermath of a
tropical storm;

4. Backup Computer Files - Be sure that computer files crucial to running
the building and association are backed up to CDs or Portable Storage
Devices and keep a list of office computer hardware and software vendors
and repairmen in case computers crash or systems fail;

5. Secure the Premises - Make preparations for routine lockdown of the
building or other facilities as a storm approaches, so the building is
secure during the storm and safe from vandalism or looting if a hurricane
strikes;

6. List of Owners & Employees - Have on hand a current, hard-copy
reference list complete with the names all property owners, emergency
contact numbers and details of second residence addresses, as well as a
list of all association employees, with full contact details;

7. Photograph or Video Premises - Keep a visual record through video or
photographs of premises, facilities and buildings to facilitate damage
assessment and speed damage claims in a storm aftermath;

8. Building and Facilities Plans - Make sure a complete set of building or
community plans are readily available for consultation by first-
responders, utilities workers and insurance adjusters following a storm;

9. Insurance Policies & Agent Details - Be sure all insurance policies are
current and coverage is adequate for community property, facilities and
common areas and compliant with State Law; full contact details for
insurance companies and agents should be readily available in the event of
a storm;

10. Bank Account Details & Signatories - Keep handy a list of all bank
account numbers, branch locations and authorized association signatories,
and make contingency plans for back-up signatories in case evacuation or
relocation becomes necessary;

11. Mitigation of Damages: In the immediate aftermath of a storm, take the
necessary steps to mitigate damages -- this includes "Drying-In," which is
the placement of tarps on openings in the roof and plywood over blown out
doors and windows, and "Drying-Out," which is the removal of wet carpet
and drywall to prevent the growth of mold; And,

12. Debris Removal - Have a plan for speedy removal of debris by
maintenance staff, outside contractors or civic public works employees,
should a hurricane topple trees and leave debris in its wake.

The 2006 Community Association Hurricane Preparedness Checklist is the latest in a series of disaster-related services provided to clients and the Florida general public by the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff. Since Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida in 1992, the law firm has prided itself in offering Florida businesses and residents "a place to turn to" in all phases of recovery efforts, assisting in efforts to secure appropriate, fair and timely compensation and/or reconstruction of damaged property.

In 2005, Becker & Poliakoff was the recipient of a Thomson Elite award in recognition of a client-service initiative launched during the devastating hurricanes that hit Florida during a six-week period in 2004. The initiative included an informative special section within the Becker & Poliakoff website under the dedicated Internet domain http://www.hurricane-recovery.com that was designed to help with post disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.

More information about Becker & Poliakoff's 2006 Community Association Hurricane Preparedness Checklist can be found online at http://www.hurricane-recovery.com . Additional information about the law firm's disaster recovery efforts, including available seminars, a checklist for communities affected by hurricanes, and pertinent articles by Becker & Poliakoff attorneys can be found at: http://www.becker-poliakoff.com/areas_of_practice/disaster_recovery.html .

About Becker & Poliakoff P.A.

Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is a diversified commercial law firm based in Ft. Lauderdale with more than one hundred attorneys in fifteen Florida offices and international and affiliated offices in New York, Czech Republic, Germany, China, France and Israel. In addition to Disaster Recovery, the firm counsels clients in legal issues relating to Real Estate, Condominium and Homeowners Association Law, Construction, International Business & Trade, Government Relations, and Civil and Commercial Litigation and many other areas of law. For more information, visit: http://www.becker-poliakoff.com .

Posted by Joe at 1:07 PM | Permalink

Parker Finch Management, a leading community association management firm, has named James R. Small, a designated independent community manager with vast experience in large-scale vendor management, negotiating supplier contracts and managing large teams, as its chief executive officer and majority owner.

Small has been with Parker Finch Management since its inception in 2003, most recently as president and minority owner. In addition to his experience with homeowners' associations, Small has served as an executive in Accenture, a "Big 4" management consulting firm in the United States and Europe, as well as a home loan officer for Bank of America. In addition, Small holds an Arizona real estate license and participates as an active real estate investor and is also an active member of Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), a global community of business owners who run companies that exceed one million dollars in revenue.

"Looking forward, Parker Finch plans to not only expand its capabilities and superior customer service in Arizona, but also to expand its services to clients across the southwestern United States," said Small.

Small graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in Business and earned an MBA with honors from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management. Small resides in Chandler, Ariz. with his family.

"It is rare in this field to find a CEO with an advanced business degree, let alone an MBA from one of the top educational institutions in the world," said Carol Schecter, PCAM®, CMCA®, AMS™, director of community management at Parker Finch. "With Jim as our CEO, I have no doubt that we will see exponential growth and expansion across the region."

Parker Finch Management provides a comprehensive suite of services to community associations including Equity Residential, 20/20 Properties, Elliott Homes, Stratland Homes and Richmond American Homes. Their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to quality service are second to none. Associations that partner with Parker Finch Management have found a way to experience a better community. For more information about Parker Finch, or to inquire about HOA services for your community, please visit www.parkerfinch.com

Posted by Joe at 10:13 AM | Permalink

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 11 /CNW/ - The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario is very proud to announce the launching of their (ACMO) new website (www.acmo.org) that went live in late April 2006. They had two objectives when they set about to re-design the website. First they wanted to bring the look and feel of their site in line with the new Acmo logo. A quick visit to the site will confirm that they have been able to achieve that objective. Second, they wanted to provide increased functionality for their members and visitors.

ACMO's new site features enhanced database search capabilities that will allow members to search for other members by name, region, and types of membership, as well as a search function of the entire database by words or phrases. In addition, they now offer on-line application forms with the ability to pay on-line.

In the coming weeks they will be adding more features such as on-line payments for all Acmo events, and advertising opportunities for Corporate and Associate Members through Banner Ads.

After investing some time surfing the new site, visitors will appreciate what ACMO has been able to achieve and it will be time well spent.

About the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario:

The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario was formed in 1977 to represent the collective aims of all condominium managers. ACMO's Mission is to enhance the condominium management profession in Ontario by advancing the quality performance of Condominium property managers and management companies. ACMO provides formal educational programs which, coupled with experience and successful completion of an exam, culminate in the well known Registered Condominium Manager (R.C.M.) designation. Ongoing education is provided through luncheons, seminars, technical bulletins, newsletter and Condominium Manager Magazine. In this increasingly complex profession, this education provides ACMO members with a solid foundation for business success.

For further information:

Amanda Curtis, CAE, Executive Director,
Association of Condominium Managers, 6835 Century Avenue, 2nd Floor,
Mississauga, ON L5N 2L2, Tel: (905) 826-6890, Fax: (905) 826-4873, Toll:
1-800-265-3263, Email: rcm@info.org, Web: www.acmo.org

Posted by Joe at 10:23 AM | Permalink

DENVER, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent months, Antares Property Services of Fort Collins, Tyler Community Management of Lakewood, and Management Advantage of Colorado Springs have all joined Associa. Also, in order to service the growing market, Associa has expanded with a new corporate office in the Denver region, locally known as the "Front Range."

With more than 60 offices across the nation and growing, Associa is the largest company in the United States devoted exclusively to the management of community associations. Associa is a nationally recognized leader in the community association management industry, representing hundreds of thousands of homes in thousands of communities across the United States.

John Cox, Vice President, heads the Colorado team and is based in the Lakewood location. Mr. Cox has been with Associa for 12 years and has earned AMS(R) and PCAM(R) designations. Of the growth in Colorado, Cox said, "We are extremely excited to be here in Colorado working alongside the dedicated community association professionals at each of the branch offices. Associa's core values are that of the Colorado companies with a commitment to excellence in the management of home owner, condominium, and town home associations, as well as rental property management."

Joining the more than 35 other Associa Member Companies, Antares, Tyler, Management Advantage and the communities they serve will be able to participate in many of the customized benefits and features offered by Associa. Associa has established a variety of national discount purchasing programs in insurance, refuse removal, utilities and telecommunications, which afford clients products and services of the highest quality at the most competitive prices for their needs. They also make available to each of their associations personalized web sites that allow residents access to a wealth of online services including interactive community calendars, board and committee discussion groups, access to association documents, Senate Bill 100 Requirements and much more.

For more information on each of the companies, please visit http://www.antaresproperty.com for Antares information; http://www.managementadvantage.com for Management Advantage information, or http://www.tylermgmt.com for Tyler Community Management information.

Founded in 1979, Associa is America's leading community association management and developer services company. With offices all across North America, Associa is the largest company in the United States devoted exclusively to the management of community associations, representing thousands of communities from coast to coast. For more information, please visit http://www.associaonline.com.

Contact:
Brandy Madigan
Marketing Manager
Associa(R) Corporate HQ
P - (214) 953-3009 ext. 5568
F - (214) 522-3266
bmadigan@associaonline.com
http://www.associaonline.com

Posted by Joe at 10:11 AM | Permalink

For American Homeowners Association (AHA) president and founder Richard J. Roll, Bridgeport's latest fire fatality is much more than a statistic. It is family.

The March 29 fire killed AHA employee Ramona Holliday, along with her father and 2-year-old daughter. The lack of working smoke alarms was blamed in connection with their deaths.

As a memorial to Holliday and to prevent similar tragedies, the AHA initiated a year-long, national home smoke alarm safety campaign during a news conference at Bridgeport City Hall today. "The Ramona Holliday National Smoke Alarm Safety Campaign" includes giving away $5 million worth of smoke alarms and a smoke alarm reminder service that will alert consumers when it's time to check their smoke alarms and change the batteries.

"Ramona and her family are just three of the nearly 4,000 individuals who die each year in home fires -- deaths that might be prevented with increased awareness of basic, yet critical, smoke alarm facts," said Roll. "We designed this initiative to prevent needless tragedies by spreading vital smoke alarm- related information and reaching everyone who thinks 'it can't happen to me.'"

The Mayor of Bridgeport, John Michael Fabrizi, joined Roll during the news conference. The press conference also featured an open Q&A session with Bridgeport Deputy Fire Chief Tom Connor and Fire Chief Brian Rooney, and John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories, a not- for-profit product safety certification organization. The panel addressed some of today's most pressing smoke alarm-related issues, including the:

-- Decreased escape time in fires;
-- Urgency to ensure working smoke alarms;
-- Best smoke alarm-related practices by landlords;
-- Goal of the U.S. fire community to eliminate fire deaths by 2020; and
-- Common mistakes that lead to fire-related fatalities.

"Since smoke alarms were introduced, fire deaths have been cut in half," said Drengenberg. "By providing an early warning in the event of a fire combined with practicing a well-developed home fire escape plan, smoke alarms allow you and your family sufficient time to reach safety."

Roll said the AHA is offering the free reminder service by e-mail to every homeowner, landlord and renter in America to remind them when to check their smoke alarms and when to change the batteries. The service is free and available for sign up at http://www.ahahome.com/remindme .

To obtain a free UL-Listed, Kidde smoke alarm ($20 retail value), consumers should visit http://www.ahahome.com/saveme . In addition to the smoke alarm, participants will receive a trial membership in the AHA to use without obligation for 60 days. A small $1.95 processing fee applies to help defray the cost of shipping and handling. It is not necessary to be a homeowner, and all renters and landlords are invited to obtain the free smoke alarm through this program.

"This isn't just a Bridgeport problem. Home fires are taking the lives of individuals from California to New York," said Roll. "Our goal is to make people aware that a working smoke alarm is a matter of life or death and provide them with tools that can help them avert such tragedies."

Additional Information:
"Smoke Alarms Invaluable As Home Fires Burn Hotter, Faster"
http://www.ul.com/media/newsrel/nr100305.html

"Family Fire Escape Plans Require Practice To Be Perfect"
http://www.ul.com/media/newsrel/nr091604.html

TOP 10 SMOKE ALARM TIPS

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chance of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent because it provides individuals with an early warning and gives them additional time to escape.

Underwriters Laboratories, a not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products for more than 110 years, offers these Top 10 Tips for purchasing, maintaining and installing smoke alarms:

1. You may need several smoke alarms to adequately protect your family --

install at least one on every level of your home, including the
basement and outside each sleeping area;
2. If you or family members sleep with the bedroom door closed, install
smoke alarms inside the bedroom;
3. Some individuals, particularly children, older people, and those with
special needs, may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm. You
should be aware of this when developing a home fire escape plan;
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing smoke alarms;
5. Install smoke alarms far enough away from ordinary cooking smoke to
avoid false alarms, a common and dangerous reason for disarming smoke
alarms;
6. Don't disconnect a smoke alarm or "borrow" the batteries;
7. Test smoke alarms at least once a month;
8. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms twice a year;
9. Replace the smoke alarm every 10 years, or as the manufacturer
recommends; and
10. When you purchase a smoke alarm, look for the UL Mark. The symbol
indicates representative samples of the alarm have met UL's stringent
safety standards.

Posted by Joe at 9:54 AM | Permalink

Skype announced a new service that allows up to 100 people to chat over the Internet. This service called Skypecast targets the growing social network phenomenon on the Internet. It will provide a virtual space for people to chat about computers, blogs, and other “stuff”.

If you’re worried about some people not going to shut up during a community chat, Skypecast has built-in functions that solve this problem.

“The service is moderated by a designated host who passes a virtual microphone to participants when they wish to speak. To keep conversations on track, the software allows the moderator to silence or eject detractors.”

Source: ‘Skypecast’ to bring 100 people in for a chat, IHT, May 3, 2006.

I think Skypecast is a really good idea. An application that I can immediately benefit is using it for my neighborhood’s Home Association meetings. Many people in the neighborhood don’t attend those meetings because they are lazy, which I don’t blame them. If we allow people to call in with Skypecast, I think more people will attend the meetings. Maybe I will bring up this issue the next time I go.

Posted by Joe at 10:12 AM | Permalink

SouthData, Inc. of Mount Airy, NC is preparing to launch the first Automated Newsletter Factory exclusively for Property Management Companies and homeowner associations nationwide. Management companies can visit www.southdata.com to order, design and mail their association newsletters.

SouthData is introducing the Automated Newsletter Factory this month at CAI’s 55th National Conference and Expo in Palm Springs, CA. The automated program will go live in June 2006.

The Automated Newsletter Factory offers several online libraries from which to design a newsletter. From newsletter templates to graphic images and a library of articles, users will be able to easily build newsletters that best suit the needs of their associations. After the newsletter is designed, data files can be uploaded and the newsletters will mail within three business days.

The company has received positive responses from management companies coast-to-coast. “We are excited about this program. It has been a long time in the making, and we are expecting this to be a great success,” says John Springthorpe, president of SouthData, Inc.

SouthData is still accepting articles for the online library. Any articles relevant to the property management industry are welcome. Articles may be submitted by visiting www.southdata.com.

For more than twenty years, SouthData has been the leading provider of payment books and billing statements for the property management industry. Today the company is a national document provider for property management, government, medical, healthcare insurance and commercial print markets.

Contact:
Chelli Perry Bruner
SouthData, Inc.
336.783.5938 p
336.789.4143 f
cpbruner@southdata.com
www.southdata.com

Posted by Joe at 9:25 AM | Permalink

Responding to the dizzying string of new condominium hotel projects, a newly formed nonprofit organization launched a Web site Monday aimed at giving buyers detailed information about the projects and their markets.

The National Association of Condo Hotel Owners, formed in February, says it will offer a rating system for evaluating condo hotel projects. The site evaluates market conditions and provides association members with an earnings calculator that considers fees, property taxes, insurance coverage and a hotel's rental program.

Developers are increasingly using the ownership method to assemble financing for new hotels. They work much like condominium apartment projects, where buyers make deposits on not-yet-built units and developers use the contracts to secure construction financing.

"Sales are structured as transactions of a piece of real estate from one individual to another," said Dante Alexander, the association's chief executive. "But 85 percent of the people who buy these units are interested in their rental potential."

The Scottsdale, Ariz., organization's Web site seeks to fill an information vacuum. Since condo hotels are sold as real-estate investments, developers are prohibited from providing cash-flow projections.

"We can't provide exact numbers, but we can say whether a unit will cover expenses or not," Alexander said.

Alexander said a $50 annual membership gives prospective investors access to the database, which he said is expanding. Orlando, the nation's third-largest condo hotel market, will be added to the database this summer, Alexander said.

The association's Web site is nacho.us.

"We look at everything on the unit level," Alexander said. "We evaluate the ongoing operations of the hotel and ask if it is commercially viable. And we look at its long-term potential based on what is being built around it."

Posted by Joe at 9:43 AM | Permalink