Smart technology may be our first love, but conference season comes close behind.
This year has been busy for the student housing team. From IMN to InterFace and now ACUHO-I Conference and Expo, SmartRent has had the opportunity to connect with key leaders and student housing aficionados across the nation.
This year’s ACUHO-I Conference and Expo was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the City of Bridges – where there are over 400 bridges within city limits! – the SmartRent team caught up with old friends, made new connections, and demonstrated our industry-leading solution to interested attendees at our booth.
Keep reading to learn our favorite moments from this year’s conference and the insights that remained front-of-mind long after the event wrapped.
An Event to Remember
There was plenty to love about this year’s ACUHO-I Conference and Expo. In addition to several hours of engaging discussions, the SmartRent team enjoyed a full line-up of complementary events.
Hundreds of vendors displayed their products and services in the expo hall. The hall came alive during lunches and receptions when hundreds of attendees would buzz about the area.
SmartRent was thrilled to exhibit alongside brands such as HBO, CORT, Greystar, and more. When we weren’t chatting about smart technology at the SmartRent booth, we enjoyed getting to know fellow exhibitors and learning more about their unique products.
ACUHO-I also treated guests to two speaking engagements, a silent auction, a sightseeing cruise along Pittsburgh’s three rivers, identity-based cocktail receptions, and opening events organized by region. Needless to say, the SmartRent team didn’t have any trouble finding something fun to do between sessions.
Valuable Insights Abound
ACUHO-I proved to be a very insightful event. Discussion topics ranged from how to promote diversity on-campus to how to retain quality employees, among others, and the conference did a fantastic job of bringing to life many pertinent topics.
The following are two takeaways that made a particular impact on our team:
Housing employees urgently need flexibility in their roles.
The current crop of on-campus student housing employees is facing immense pressure. According to the Workforce Satisfaction and Retention section of NASPA’s 2022 Compass Report, workloads have increased as staffing levels have decreased, and many feel like they are being asked to do the impossible.
In addition, on-campus student housing is a 24/7 operation, which means that employees often have to work odd hours and weekends. As a result, many are looking for opportunities elsewhere.
One possible solution to retaining employees is to increase automation in daily operations. This would help lighten the load for employees and make their jobs more manageable. By making these changes, on-campus student housing can create a more positive work environment and improve employee retention.
On-campus opportunities for smart technology are endless.
Smart technology has inched its way into on-campus housing and amenities, but there is still plenty of room for expansion.
Smart lockers, for example, are one amenity that college students are coming to expect on campus and in facilities such as libraries and administrative offices. These lockers safely store packages, food deliveries, library orders, and more.
There's no doubt that smart lockers and similar technologies offer endless convenience. So, why not take this automated lifestyle one step further and expand your smart technology package to include devices such as smart locks, thermostats, and leak detection devices? These services drive down costs and improve resident satisfaction for college students. Contact us to learn more about these solutions and how SmartRent delivers results.
Learn More About Us
ACUHO-I provided SmartRent with the perfect opportunity to show off our impressive range of student housing solutions with on-campus housing providers.
Whether you attended the event or missed out on this year’s conference, we’d love the opportunity to tell you more about SmartRent’s products and services, which decrease costs, increase resident and employee satisfaction, and put hours back into your day.
Request a personalized demo and we’ll follow up with you soon!