Cynthia Jones Sellers Ayers Dortch & Lyons, PA
Melissa Ramsey Mosaic Community Consulting

What is emotional intelligence and why is it important in everyday communications?
In this session we'll answer those questions by first addressing the dichotomy of perception that currently exists in the HOA industry. We'll talk about the application of emotional intelligence through self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills before wrapping up with a discussion on how you can put your new-found emotional intelligence to work to better communicate, strategize and find balance in your day-to-day professional (and personal) lives.

Braxton Wilson Aquatic Management Group
Greg Blum Aquatic Management Group
McKenzie Church Aquatic Management Group

Expectations vs. reality - a common misunderstanding that can make a big difference when it comes to your community's happiness. This session will dive into the emerging trends in pool and aquatic management by addressing the evolving guest expectations and technology adaptations that will keep you ahead of the curve. We'll cover:

• Safety Best Practices – drowning prevention, lifeguard training standards, and reducing liability exposure
• Staffing Strategies – recruiting, training, and retaining reliable seasonal and year-round staff.
• Operational Efficiency – balancing budgets while maintaining high service quality and compliance.
• Enhancing Guest Experience & Member Satisfaction – programming, amenities, and service approaches that drive engagement and retention
• Sustainability & Water/Energy Conservation – practical ways to reduce environmental impact and operating costs.

Adam M. Beaudoin, CCAL Ward and Smith, P.A.
Travis Crow, MBA, PCAM Premier Management

This interactive session gives community association managers a practical legal framework to confirm, preserve, and, if needed, re-constitute a community’s 55-and-Older status under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) and the North Carolina fair housing overlay. We’ll cover the core federal criteria, then focus on the North Carolina nuance that can matter in a state-law familial-status claim—particularly the “facilities and services” or “important housing opportunities” factor that is more restrictive than federal HOPA standards. You’ll leave with a roadmap for policies, documentation, and day-to-day practices (leases, rentals, age verification, entity-owned homes, and enforcement decision points) that help reduce risk and support defensible compliance. Expect real-world scenarios and discussion throughout.  Buckle up and bring your toughest fact patterns.

Harmony Taylor, CCAL Law Firm Carolinas
Chelsa Fenner Forestar Development

The transition of control from a developer to a homeowners or condominium association can be a contentious process. When poorly managed, the process can lead to operational disruptions, financial disputes, construction defect claims, owner dissatisfaction, and unnecessary litigation. When handled proactively and collaboratively, however, transition can be smooth, efficient, and beneficial to all stakeholders.

This presentation brings together perspectives from an experienced association manager now working on the developer side, and an association attorney who has seen it all, who will together provide a practical roadmap for successful community association transitions. Chelsa Fenner and Harmony Taylor will discuss the legal, operational, financial, and political challenges commonly encountered during transition and share real world experiences and strategies to minimize conflict while protecting the interests of developers, boards, managers, and homeowners alike.

Attendees will gain actionable guidance on planning ahead, setting expectations, managing records and turnover obligations, addressing construction and warranty issues, preparing volunteer boards, and fostering productive communication throughout the process.

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Identify key legal and operational milestones in the developer-to-association transition process.
• Recognize common transition pitfalls that lead to disputes or litigation.
• Implement best practices for document turnover, financial disclosures, and board education.
• Understand how developers, managers, and association counsel can collaborate to reduce conflict and ensure continuity of operations.
• Develop proactive strategies for addressing owner expectations and post-transition concerns.

Chris Gelwicks Law Firm Carolinas
Ben Rhodes CAMS
Adam Soccorsi CAMS

Generating non‑assessment revenue is not just a financial strategy—it’s an necessity .
In this session, we will explore how non‑assessment revenue supports sustainable communities by ensuring that time‑intensive and specialized services are appropriately charged, rather than absorbed into already full assessments.  From a manager’s perspective, we’ll focus on the real‑world touchpoints where non‑assessment revenue is generated and why understanding these categories protects both managers and the associations they serve.

An attorney will provide legal context throughout the discussion, helping managers understand what is permitted, what must be disclosed, and how services must be structured to remain compliant with governing documents, and applicable state laws. We’ll clarify the distinction between included services and extraordinary or à‑la‑carte services, emphasizing how clear definitions and proper authorization prevent disputes, accusations of overcharging, or performing uncompensated work.

We will also address the importance of transparent communication—how fees should be explained to boards and homeowners, why consistency matters, and how legally sound fee structures reinforce trust rather than erode it. From a risk‑management standpoint, the legal perspective will highlight how poor documentation, informal approvals, or inconsistent practices can expose managers and companies to conflict or liability.

Finally, the discussion will tie non‑assessment revenue back to manager sustainability. When revenue structures are clear, compliant, and aligned with actual effort, managers are better able to set boundaries, manage expectations, and avoid burnout. The goal is to equip managers with practical understanding, legal awareness, and confidence—so they can do their jobs effectively, protect their time, and support long‑term service quality without unnecessary risk.

Ellen Wortman The Wortman Law Firm PLLC
Margaret Chase Ruby, Chase, Taliercio PLLC

Poultry or pet? In this session we'll cover:

• The poultry v. pet distinction in use restrictions, including the discussion in recent appellate case law Margaret is personally familiar with
• Emotional Support Animals: a summary of the federal and state laws surrounding reasonable accommodation requests. This will include navigating requests to keep chickens in traditionally single-family residential communities, what questions a board can ask and how to deal with neighbor complaints
• Nuisance issues surrounding chickens
• Creative strategies incorporating ARC regulations, business use restrictions and other provisions of the community documents
• Case studies of real-life scenarios and examples of how these issues play out

Cynthia Jones, CCAL Sellers, Ayers, Dortch & Lyons PA
Nealie Williams CAMS

In this session we'll take a look at the basics of violations and fines and the authority surrounding them in North Carolina. We'll answer questions like:

• What is a violation?
• Can the Association issue fines?
• Who's the authority for fines in NC?
• What is the appropriate hearing/fine procedure?
• What are the governing document procedures?
• When are liens and foreclosures for fines appropriate and/or enforceable?

Ian McGeady Reserve Advisors

Reserve studies don't have to be overwhelming. In this session, we'll break down the key components of reserve studies, including the Freddie/Fannie updates and discuss how to best utilize and implement them. We'll address what key information to focus on, day-to-day implementation, how managers should utilize the reserve studies vs. how the board members should utilize them and how to prioritize projects within a reserve study.

Madeline Williams Ward and Smith, PA

This session will provide community association managers with a practical roadmap for conducting board elections that comply with governing documents and applicable law. Attendees will learn how to review their bylaws for threshold requirements, properly constitute and guide a nominating committee, discuss options for utilizing written ballots or proxies, and ensure each procedural step — from notice through ballot counting — is legally defensible. The session will also introduce how emerging AI tools can serve as a final checkpoint to verify election preparation before the annual meeting.

Mollie Cozart Jordan, Price, Wall, Gray & Jones
Matt Waters Jordan, Price, Wall, Gray & Jones

Community associations are, by nature, relationship-driven communities where owners, boards, committees, managers, and other community vendors, must continue working and living together long after a dispute arises. Yet sometimes conflicts quickly escalate into attorney cease-and-desist and demand notices, threats of litigation, and entrenched positions that increase costs, consume volunteer and management resources, and often damage community relationships without solving the underlying problem.  This presentation will discuss practical and proactive approaches that Boards and managers can use to achieve more effective and lasting conflict resolution and de-escalate disputes.  This presentation will also discuss how associations can utilize their legal counsel as a strategic advisor/problem solver rather than merely an “enforcer”, including when legal intervention is appropriate, when it may be premature, and how attorneys can assist without sending cease and desist and threats of litigation.  The goal is not simply to win disputes but to solve problems while preserving relationships and protecting the long-term health and harmony of the community. In this session we will identify:

• Common sources of conflict disputes in community associations
• Factors that commonly cause disputes to escalate why it may escalate
• The costs and unintended consequences of escalation
• Practical strategies for de-escalation and resolution
• How to utilize the association’s legal counsel as a strategic partner rather than merely an enforcement tool
• Tools for managing difficult situations
• Recognizing and know when formal enforcement is necessary (be strategic not reflexive)

Alex Cecil Aqua Doc Lake & Pond Management

Are you doing everything you can to prevent costly spending on stormwater devices? Proactive and preventative monitoring is key to saving money and preventing violations. In this session we'll take a closer look at:

• the difference between proactive and reactive maintenance
• the costs associated with each approach
• North Carolina regulations
• a step-by-step guide to prepare for inspections
• what steps to take when you take on a new community

Adam Marshall Law Firm Carolinas
Andrea Underwood DR Horton

Communities under declarant control face issues that are not present with member-controlled boards. Declarant developers must wear two hats. While they are obviously in the business of making money, they must also understand that when serving on the Board of a community association, they have the same fiduciary duties to the association as member-controlled board. How can declarants effectively operate in both arenas while still fulfilling their fiduciary and ethical responsibilities to association? Join us as we answer this question and more.