SESSIONS
FRONTSTEPS FORWARD is a dynamic 3-day event designed to bring together professionals, innovators, and industry leaders to connect, learn, and grow. Over the course of the event, attendees will explore cutting-edge strategies, tools, and technologies that will elevate their business performance and drive success. With expert-led sessions, hands-on experiences, and ample opportunities for collaboration, this event is your chance to gain actionable insights, foster valuable relationships, and take your business to the next level
AI & The Future of Community Management:
How FRONTSTEPS is Leading the Way
David Bradley | VP, Product | FRONTSTEPS
Panel: Vanessa Tillberg, Operations Director, Trestle Community Management, Gar Liebler, TechCollect.ai, Max Gajdel, STAN.ai, Haoyu Zha, Co-founder, HOAi
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, and community management is no exception. In this session, David Bradley, VP of Product, will explore how FRONTSTEPS is integrating AI into its technology to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and empower community managers like never before. From predictive analytics and automated workflows to smarter communication tools, discover how AI-driven solutions will transform daily operations in 2025 and beyond. Gain insight into the trends shaping the future and learn how to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven landscape.
Creating Centers of Excellence:
Scaling Community Management with Efficiency & Profitability
Scaling a successful and efficient management company requires a strategic foundation. In this session, Bob Brencic, President & Owner of Trestle Community Management, shares how he built a Center of Excellence to optimize operations, streamline processes, and drive profitability. Discover key strategies for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging technology for greater efficiency, and implementing best practices that support growth without compromising service quality. Whether you're looking to scale or refine your current operations, this session offers actionable insights to elevate your management company to the next level.
Bob Brencic | President & Owner | Trestle Community Management
Elevating Community Protection:
FRONTSTEPS Security Deep Dive &
2025 Roadmap
FRONTSTEPS Security Team
Kyle Evans | Product Manager, Community/Dwelling
Barbara Durbin| Sr. Manager, Implementation
Demos: Mary Guck | Solutions Engineer
Security is a top priority for community managers and residents alike, and FRONTSTEPS is leading the way with cutting-edge security solutions. In this session, the FRONTSTEPS Security Team will provide an in-depth look at how FRONTSTEPS is enhancing security technology to improve safety, streamline access control, and optimize community protection. Experience these advancements firsthand with a 45-minute live demo, and get an exclusive look at the 2025 roadmap, featuring key innovations and future enhancements designed to keep communities secure and operations seamless. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of community security.
Maximizing Business Value: Insights from an Expert
Matt DeWolf | CEO | FRONTSTEPS
Cat Carmichael | CEO | Strategy 123
Position your business for unparalleled success with insights from Cat Carmichael, a seasoned expert in helping clients unlock the full financial value of their Management Company. With three decades of experience in community management, HOA financial services, and consulting, Cat has published numerous trade articles and has been a featured speaker and instructor at industry events. Her election to CAI’s Business Partners Council in 2013 led to her selection for the Board of Trustees, where she served as 2019’s President. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, and an honors graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School, Cat’s consulting company, Strategy 1 2 3, helps businesses with profitability, strategic partnerships, and pre-sale due diligence to enhance business value and success in mergers and acquisitions. Whether you're preparing for a sale or focused on growing long-term family wealth, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to drive value and future-proof your business, making it an unmissable opportunity for owners and senior leaders to elevate their business to the next level.
Attracting & Retaining High-Net-Worth Communities:
Insights from Yellowstone Club
Sarah Blechta | Vice President of Property Owners Associations | Yellowstone Club
High-net-worth communities demand a specialized approach to attraction, engagement, and long-term satisfaction. In this session, Sarah Blechta from Yellowstone Club—one of the world’s most exclusive private communities—shares expert insights on attracting affluent residents and, more importantly, ensuring they have the services, experiences, and infrastructure needed to thrive. Discover proven strategies for cultivating exclusivity, fostering deep connections, and delivering unparalleled value that keeps these communities engaged and invested for the long term.
The Power of FRONTSTEPS Architectural Requests: Simplifying Community Management
Kyle Evans | Product Manager Community/Dwelling
Kayla Soler | Customer Success Manager
Architectural requests are a cornerstone of effective community management, ensuring properties maintain their aesthetic and structural integrity while streamlining approvals for homeowners. In this session, Kyle Evans, Product Manager at FRONTSTEPS, will unveil the latest updates to the FRONTSTEPS Architectural Requests feature, designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance. Learn how these innovations simplify workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and create a seamless experience for both managers and residents. Discover how your community can leverage these enhancements to improve operations and elevate the homeowner experience.
CAI & Legal Trends: What’s Ahead for Community Management in 2025
Dawn Bauman | SVP of Government & Public Affairs | CAI + Executive Director | Foundation for Community Association Research
Moderator: Matt DeWolf | CEO |FRONTSTEPS
The community management industry is continually evolving, driven by new regulations and emerging trends that shape daily operations. In this session, Dawn Bauman, Chief Strategy Officer from the Community Associations Institute, will share key insights into the role of the CAI and its influence on the industry in 2025. Explore the latest legislative developments, legal considerations, and compliance best practices that could impact management companies. Gain expert perspectives and actionable strategies to stay ahead of regulatory changes and navigate the shifting landscape with confidence.
The Future of FRONTSTEPS:
Community & Suite Manager Strategy
for 2025
David Bradley | VP Product
Mehgan Laveck | Director of Products
What’s next for FRONTSTEPS Community and Suite Manager? Join David Bradley, VP of Product at FRONTSTEPS, for an exclusive deep dive into these powerful platforms and the exciting innovations coming in 2025. Learn how Suite Manager is revolutionizing community management with seamless automation, enhanced collaboration, and intuitive workflows. Explore the future roadmap, including key updates designed to improve efficiency, user experience, and operational excellence. Get a firsthand look at the next evolution of FRONTSTEPS and how these enhancements will empower management companies to work smarter, not harder.
FRONTSTEPS Caliber Team: Accounting Innovations & 2025 Game Plan
Justin Armstrong | Product Manager, Caliber
Demos:
Mary Guck | Solutions Engineer
Kayla Soler | Manager of Premium Services
Effective financial management is essential for every community, and FRONTSTEPS continues to push the boundaries of accounting efficiency. In this session, the FRONTSTEPS Caliber Team will provide a deep dive into how FRONTSTEPS is advancing its accounting solutions, streamlining financial processes, and enhancing automation. Learn about key innovations that improve accuracy, reduce administrative burdens, and drive efficiency for management companies. Plus, experience these advancements firsthand in a 45-minute live demo, and get an exclusive look at the 2025 roadmap, featuring upcoming enhancements designed to make financial management even more seamless.
Heart of a Champion: Trusting the Process to Achieve World-Class Excellence
Timothy O'Donnell | Professional Triathlete & Keynote
Tim O’Donnell is a renowned professional triathlete and Naval Academy grad with perennial top finishes at the IRONMAN World Championships. Among other distinguished results, he won the ITU Long Distance World Championships in 2009 and he finished 2nd at the IRONMAN World Championships in 2019, becoming the first American to break the coveted 8-hour barrier. Tim will share his impressive journey from tag-along family swimmer to the esteemed grounds of Annapolis to leading the field through the lava fields of Kona. His secret weapon? Commit to excellence and trust the process. Tim will highlight the successes, the failures and the lessons learned along the way (“always get back on the bike!”) that enabled him to ascend the top of the sport on the global stage – and more remarkably, stay there. With a true gift for storytelling, Tim makes his experiences applicable to our business lives, our leadership roles and our personal ambitions. Trust us, you’ll leave inspired!
The Future of AP Automation:
FRONTSTEPS Innovations & 2025 Vision
Justin Armstrong | Product Manager, Caliber
Demos:
Mary Guck | Solutions Engineer
Kayla Soler | Manager of Premium Services
Managing accounts payable (AP) efficiently is critical for community operations, and automation is transforming the process like never before. In this session, Chris Silveri, Director of Product at FRONTSTEPS, will dive into how FRONTSTEPS is streamlining AP automation to save time, reduce errors, and improve financial workflows. Learn about the latest advancements in AP automation, key benefits for management teams, and what’s on the horizon for 2025. Get an exclusive look at upcoming product enhancements and discover how your community can leverage automation for greater efficiency and financial control.
Optimizing Payments: FRONTSTEPS Payment Platform Deep Dive & 2025 Innovation Plan
Lucas Greenberg | VP, Revenue | FRONTSTEPS
FRONTSTEPS Payment Team
Demos:
Mary Guck | Solutions Engineer
Seamless and secure payment processing is essential for modern community management. In this session, the FRONTSTEPS Payment Team will provide a comprehensive look at the FRONTSTEPS payment platform, showcasing how it simplifies transactions, enhances security, and improves financial efficiency for management companies and residents. Experience these innovations firsthand with a 45-minute live demo, and get an exclusive preview of the 2025 roadmap, featuring upcoming enhancements designed to streamline payment workflows, reduce administrative burden, and elevate the user experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the future of community payments with FRONTSTEPS in action.
Overcoming AP Challenges: Smarter, Faster, and More Secure Payments for Community Managers
Mark Brousseau | President | Brousseau & Associates
Sean Madigan | Senior Field Sales Director | Edenred Pay
Cat Carmichael | CEO | 123 Strategy
Sandra Woods Huseby, PCAM, CCAM | Co-founder, Co-principal, COO
Managing accounts payable (AP) for community associations isn’t just about cutting checks – it’s about maintaining financial stability, ensuring supplier relationships remain strong, and protecting your association from costly errors and fraud. But with manual or semi-automated processes bogging down staff, delaying payments, increasing errors, and leaving your organization vulnerable to cyber threats, AP can feel more like a liability than an asset. To maintain efficiency and security, AP teams must embrace resilience and adaptability. This session will explore the biggest AP challenges facing community associations today and provide practical strategies to build a more agile and resilient AP function that can withstand disruptions and adapt to changing business needs.
What You Will Learn:
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The biggest contributors to inefficiencies, delayed payments, and errors in AP – and how to fix them.
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Proven strategies to mitigate payment fraud and safeguard your association’s financial assets.
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How real-time insights into cash flow and expenses empower smarter, faster decisions.
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Steps to transition suppliers from paper checks to electronic payments while ensuring adaptability in your payment strategy.
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An action plan for building a resilient AP framework that enhances efficiency and scalability.
Women in Tech Session
(details coming Soon)
Amber Bradshaw | PRODUCT MARKETING STORYTELLER | FRONTSTEPS
Operational efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about creating value. In this session, industry leaders will explore strategies for transforming traditional cost centers into revenue-generating assets. From optimizing workflows and leveraging technology to streamlining financial operations, attendees will gain insights into how smarter business practices can drive profitability without sacrificing service quality. Real-world examples will highlight how organizations have successfully restructured expenses, improved operational agility, and unlocked new revenue streams. Walk away with actionable strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize financial performance in your organization.
