MILWAUKEE, Wis. – On October 16-17, Continental Properties held its 26th Annual State of the Company (SOC) event, bringing together team members from across the country to celebrate the company’s accomplishments, assess its current standing, and set a strategic vision for the future. Held both in-person and via live stream, the event focused on the theme, “Challenging Times or Tremendous Opportunity: Innovation, Execution, & the Need for Speed,” underscoring Continental’s commitment to navigating market challenges while seizing opportunities for growth.
The two-day event kicked off on the evening of October 16 with its Service Awards Presentation. Team members gathered to socialize, enjoy a formal dinner, and celebrate colleagues who have reached key milestones, including two, five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five years of service. In celebration of Continental’s 45th anniversary, Jim Schloemer, CEO and Co-Founder, was honored with a 45-year service award for his extraordinary leadership, vision, and dedication to the company.
A highly anticipated moment of the evening was the presentation of the Rich Bell Award, which honors the team member who most embodies the collaborative spirit and values of Rich Bell, one of the three founders of Continental Properties. This year's deserving recipient was Kyle Rich, HR Business Partner.
The following day, on October 17, team members convened at The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee for the official State of the Company Meeting. The event opened with remarks from Schloemer, who reflected on the company's progress and set the tone for the day's discussions on moving from "Good to Great." Senior leaders took the stage to highlight Continental's accomplishments over the past decade while identifying opportunities for improvement in the years ahead.
In his remarks, Dan Minahan, Continental's President & Chief Operating Officer, explored “The Intersection of Leadership Development & Infinite Sustainability.” He summarized Continental's three core pillars of infinite sustainability: employee experience, customer experience, and financial performance. These pillars, he emphasized, are interdependent and crucial to the company’s continued growth and long-term success.
The event featured a keynote address from Carl Whitaker, Chief Economist at RealPage, Inc., who offered an expert analysis of the rental housing market, presenting a 2024 Year in Review and discussing the future of the industry. Whitaker addressed market challenges, supply trends, industry headwinds, and emerging opportunities for 2025 and beyond.
Reflecting on his experience at the event, Whitaker said, “What stood out to me most about this event wasn’t just the incredible venue, but the genuine commitment to transparency that Continental Properties demonstrates. It's refreshing to see a company go above and beyond by hosting an event like the State of the Company, bringing the entire organization together for meaningful discussions. The team made the preparation process seamless, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I hope to have the opportunity to return in the future!”
In addition to the keynote, the meeting included several engaging team member-led panel discussions such as “Optimizing How We Work to Create a Differentiated Experience” and “Unlocking Innovation: The Key for Successful Execution.” Another highlight was the Strategic Planning Discussion, where Continental's Officer group reviewed the company's 5-year strategic plan, outlining areas for growth and development.
"The 26th Annual State of the Company event not only celebrated Continental Properties' many achievements but also provided a forum for open dialogue on how we will continue to innovate, lead, and grow," said Ashley Napoli, Vice President of Human Resources. "Our success is driven by our team members, who wholeheartedly embrace our core pillars and exemplify leadership in their roles. Together, we are ready to seize new opportunities and propel our vision forward."