A Short History of the Compliance Summit

In retrospect, perhaps my worst investment in 2019 was a 2020 planner!

- Scott Michael Dunn

After months of planning, in January of 2020, we signed the contracts for the September 2020 Compliance Summit to be held in a gorgeous venue in Scottsdale, Arizona. I think the news playing in the background as I signed may have been discussing something called COVID-19 that they thought might be a bit of a problem. Well...COVID happened, the in-person Summit did not.

Actually, the 2020 Summit did happen, it just morphed into a 9-hour virtual edition with hours of supplemental information on Costello University. There were great presentations by my good friends Matt Rayburn, Thomas Stagg, Jen Brewerton, Amanda Lee Gross, Stephanie Naquin, and Michelle Sites. Additionally, there was an amazing video series crafted by the talented  Wed Daniel that provided a real practical mental framework for dealing with difficult circumstances - timely indeed! Finally, no one can forget the inspirational interview with Grace Robertson, a former IRS analysis who was crucial in the formation of the Section 42 program we know today. It provided a valuable historical perspective of the tax credit housing program but also had important things to say about leadership and influence. 

Besides the educational and inspirational content, there was a game show, Zoom receptions, fellowship, and encouragement. It was an important break and all left more committed than ever to the important housing we provide. THEN we met again for periodic Extension webinars with important updates on the Average Income Test, the Emergency Rental Assistant programs, and Casualty Loss. Each Summit Extension also included open Q & A. 

We finally did meet in Scottsdale (with a virtual option) in September of 2021 and again in August of 2022. All of the above players again contributed, and some new ones - including Juan Bello, Renee Dickinson, Holly Hoffman, and my dear friend Amanda Lee Gross. We moved the Summit to the beautiful Margaritaville resort in Hollywood Beach, Miami Florida in 2023 and 2024. Joining our stable of regular presenters were Robin Thorne, Steven James, Gary Kirkman, Scott Precourt, Gina Metzger, Mike Price, and Christina Bennet Martin. Since 2021, we have also offered the highly specialized Compliance Professionals Intensive Day as a bundle with the Summit. These Events, developed by state HFA and owner/agent management compliance professionals, focus on  HOW to be effective housing compliance professionals.

Overall, the Summit events have provided over 100 hours and counting of education, networking, and encouragement! All of this has been enjoyed by almost 500 Summit attendees and many more in replay format since. Also, it is not over - there are at least two Extension webinar sessions to go before the 2025 Summit in October!

 It has been a long journey, but I look forward to seeing you all in October, whether in person or online, for our sixth annual Summit! For 2024 Summit members, we will also continue to offer supplemental virtual sessions until the 2025 Summit!