Donna Preiss to Speak at Upcoming NAA Conference in Las Vegas

Donna Preiss, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Preiss Company, will speak at this year’s National Apartment Association (NAA) Education Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas, NV. The 3-day event will be held at The Mandalay Beach Resort & Casino from June 28-30 and will feature keynote speakers Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, and 60 Minutes’ anchor, Lesley Stahl.

The 2007 NAA Education Conference & Exposition is the largest national show in the multifamily housing industry. Attendees will get the opportunity to visit more than 700 companies who will showcase their latest products and services, as well as participate in one of eight focused education tracks featuring more than 50 education sessions discussing professional development, leadership, human resources, technology, specialty housing, small/independent owner, maintenance, and marketing.

Preiss’ presentation is entitled “Cruise With A Winner” and was inspired by a recent European cruise with her family. “I was amazed at the many similarities between cruises and all-inclusive resorts and student housing,” explains Preiss. “I know it seems like an odd correlation, but the success of a business in the student housing industry, just like the cruise industry, is made or broken by its ability to successfully meet the wants and needs of their clientele. Promising and delivering an exceptional customer experience is key to ensuring retention and repeat business.”

So how do cruises and student housing compare? Preiss offers up a few similarities:
· Rent is charged by the bed, not the room.
· Activities are planned for every waking moment.
· More attention is focused on grand common areas and less to state rooms.
· Plenty of activities are centered around the pool.
· Very high staff to guest ratio.
· Check-in is streamlined and highly automated in order to avoid long lines and the exchange of money.

Preiss says that comparing the hospitality industry to the student housing industry is an idea that will resonate with presentation attendees. “Everyone can relate to either a positive or negative experience they’ve had with a company in the hospitality industry,” says Preiss. “Whether it’s a trip on a cruise ship, a stay at a hotel, or a visit to a theme park, making the customer feel special is the key to success. No one epitomizes this better than Disney. If a student knows that they’re going to receive a Disney-like experience at your property, they’ll come back next year. More importantly, they’ll tell their friends.”

The Preiss Company is the largest provider of off-campus student housing for North Carolina State University, Clemson University, and UNC Charlotte and is the second largest provider for the University of Texas in Austin. The company was recently recognized as one of the Triangle’s top Apartment Property Management Companies by Triangle Business Journal.

About The Preiss Company
The Preiss Company was founded in 1987 by Donna Preiss with a mission of maximizing real estate investor returns by helping in all aspects of real estate investment. This includes the selection, purchase, sale, exchange, and management of property. The Preiss Company has formed more than 50 partnerships, has been the developer or co-developer of over 20 projects in North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, and has provided residences for more than 7,000 college students annually.