Another NARPM Broker/Owner Conference is in the books. The 2025 conference in Colorado Springs was an exciting and insightful event. With over 700 attendees, including more than 250 first-time participants, the event was a signal to the evolution of our industry. I had the opportunity to engage with a lot of the top property management leaders on NARPM Radio and in the vendor exhibit hall. Here are my top three takeaways from those discussions and observations at this year’s conference:
1. The Rise of AI in Property Management
Artificial intelligence, or AI as we all commonly refer to it, is no longer just a concept, it’s here (did you see the robot going up and down the vendor hall?!), and it’s leading the charge in revolutionizing property management. I don’t recall seeing as many tech-focused vendors at a NARPM event before, a clear indication property managers and service providers better have a business plan that includes AI.
One of the biggest discussions at the conference was how AI-driven solutions are streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing customer experiences - something I wrote about in my 2025 trend predictions.
AI will continue to make an impact in several key areas, including:
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Improved Tenant Communication and Experience: AI-powered tools and services can help filter tenant inquiries and prioritize requests based on need and urgency, ultimately helping to improve response times, allowing for your staff to deliver a high-value service to your tenants.
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Predictive Analytics: Machine learning algorithms are helping property managers anticipate maintenance needs, optimize rental pricing, and reduce vacancy rates by analyzing market trends and tenant behavior.
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Enhanced Tenant Screening: AI-driven screening tools are making the leasing process faster and more reliable by analyzing applicant data to predict tenancy risks.
With the implementation of AI into processes, property managers can shift their focus to higher-value activities, such as strategic growth of their portfolio. The challenge, however, is making sure AI complements human expertise rather than replacing it entirely. As AI adoption increases, businesses that embrace these innovations with the appropriate human-to-AI formula will have a significant competitive advantage.
2. The Surge of Venture-Backed Companies in Property Management
Another major takeaway from the conference was the rise of venture-backed companies promoting their product offerings to property managers. Rather than acquiring property management firms, venture capital is fueling the growth of technology-driven service providers that aim to enhance and streamline property management operations, like I mentioned above with AI.
These companies are introducing solutions that help property managers operate more efficiently and competitively, including:
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Automation & AI-Powered Tools: Companies offering AI-driven leasing, digital payment solutions, and automation to transform operations, reducing costs, and improving tenant experiences.
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Marketing & Lead Generation Platforms: New venture-backed firms are developing sophisticated marketing automation tools and data-driven lead generation services to help property managers attract and convert more clients.
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Financial & Compliance Solutions: Tech-driven accounting and compliance platforms are simplifying financial management, aimed at helping business leaders with regulatory compliance and offering powerful insights through real-time data analysis.
While these companies bring much-needed innovation to the industry, property managers must carefully evaluate which solutions align with their unique business needs. I believe the key to success is leveraging these new technologies as strategic partners rather than seeing them as replacements for existing operations.
3. A Growing Audience at Broker/Owner
The 2025 conference itself reflected a key industry trend, the growing interest (and need) in staying connected with one another. This year saw higher attendance than it has in recent years, with over 700 professionals and more than 250 first-time attendees. I’m not an event planner, but to have at least 35% of your attendees be newbies, I know I’d be celebrating if I were NARPM leadership.
The increase of total and new participants indicates that property management is attracting a fresh wave of broker/owners eager to build a successful portfolio, while returning attendees enjoy connecting with their peers and vendor partners, in addition to growing their door count.
Growth in attendance is a positive sign for NARPM and the overall industry’s future. As more professionals enter the space or pass along the businesses they’ve built to the next generation, we can expect continued innovation, new perspectives, and a greater focus on customer-centric solutions. For property managers, this means staying competitive by continually learning, adapting, and embracing emerging technologies.
What This Means for Our Industry
The 2025 NARPM Broker/Owner Conference confirmed what many of us have suspected, property management is evolving faster than ever before. AI is reshaping how we think about efficiencies, venture-backed companies are injecting new energy (and competition) into the market, and the industry is attracting a growing number of professionals eager to make their mark.
For property managers looking to thrive in this changing landscape, the key takeaways are clear:
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Embrace AI: Start exploring AI-powered solutions to improve workflow efficiencies and enhance your customer experience.
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Adapt to Market Disruptions: Stay ahead of industry trends by investing in technology partners and refining your business strategies and services.
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Engage with the Growing Community: The increasing number of professionals engaging in property management activities presents opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
At VPM Solutions, we help property managers navigate many of these changes through the value of virtual assistants. If you're looking for ways to scale efficiently, streamline operations, and leverage cutting-edge solutions, let’s connect.
Book a demo today to see how VPM Solutions can help you navigate these industry shifts and position your business for long-term success.
