Mar 4, 2025

Continental Reflects on Successful 2025 Manager’s Meeting Focused on Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration

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Last week, Continental held its annual Manager’s Meeting, a dynamic three-day event designed to equip Continental community leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies to drive excellence across the organization. Held at the Aloft Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, IL, the event brought together our Community Managers, Operations team, and strategic partners to collaborate, share knowledge, and align on key initiatives for the year ahead. This year’s theme, Passion & Consistency: Achieving the Extraordinary Together, underscored the company’s commitment to driving success through dedication and teamwork.

This year's event kicked off with remarks from Continental's Executive Vice President of Operations & Chief Legal Officer, Paul Seifert, and Senior Vice President of Multifamily Operations, Heather Riggs. Opening remarks were followed by a motivating keynote from hospitality and sales expert Nick Arnette, who energized attendees with a message centered on teamwork and achieving extraordinary goals together. This set the stage for a series of engaging sessions focused on communication, leadership, and industry innovation.

One of the key themes of the week was Continental’s continued progress in centralization. Attendees gained insights into how the initiative is evolving, with new roles introduced in 2024 and data demonstrating their impact. Discussions also covered plans for future expansion and how centralization will enhance efficiency and support across the portfolio.

Technology and innovation were also major focal points, with sessions exploring the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and automation. Community Managers learned how data-driven insights and the role of emerging technology can streamline workflows and create more efficient, customer-centric processes.

Beyond knowledge-sharing, the Manager's Meeting celebrated achievements through an inspiring awards ceremony and dinner. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with our event sponsors aboard an exclusive dinner boat cruise on the Chicago River, reinforcing the strong partnerships that support Continental’s success.

The following 2024 award winners were recognized for their outstanding contributions and consistent demonstration of Continental’s core values:

Community Manager of the Year

Demi Kloch, Springs at South Elgin

The role of Community Manager is one of the most critical positions within our organization. They are responsible for successfully managing people, impacting our customer experience, and ensuring that our communities are well-maintained and financially solvent.

Demi exemplifies leadership, agility, and a drive for excellence. In her first year as a Community Manager, she not only stepped into a dual-site leadership role but also achieved impressive financial and operational results. Her ability to adapt, inspire her team, and maintain strong performance metrics across multiple communities made her a standout leader in 2024. Demi’s commitment to growth and mentorship has left a lasting impact on her colleagues, showcasing the passion and dedication that define Continental’s leadership.

“This year’s Manager’s Meeting was especially inspiring. Seeing so many different minds come together to share ideas and best practices was truly motivating,” shared Demi. “Winning the Community Manager of the Year award made me feel seen and appreciated. I’m passionate about what I do and the incredible people I work with, and I hope to inspire others to succeed as I have. As Barry Finlay says, 'Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing,' and I’m ready to keep pushing toward even greater heights."

Congratulations, Demi!

Community of the Year

Springs at Eagle Bend

This team's commitment to excellence is evident in its strong financial results, high occupancy rates, and outstanding customer service. Their collaborative culture and ability to create a welcoming, resident-focused environment have earned them a top reputation, reflected in their glowing resident testimonials. Their team’s ability to foster a sense of belonging, maintain high financial and operational performance, and consistently exceed expectations solidifies their place as a leader in the industry. Congratulations to the Springs at Eagle Bend team: Nicole Hammond, Ryan Bauch, Dan Trammelle, Arianna Howard, Christopher Wilson, and Clauvis Cyril!

Greenfield Highlands

Through perseverance and innovation, the Greenfield Highlands team turned challenges into opportunities, fostering a positive resident experience and achieving significant operational success. High reputation scores prove that when you make your residents feel heard and valued, they often become more than just customers, they become advocates. Despite facing unique challenges, their ability to implement new processes, embrace change, and continually raise the bar demonstrates their unwavering commitment to excellence and community engagement. Way to go, Greenfield Highlands team: Alexia Stessl, Jen Otto, Anelia Capetillo, and Rob Roussel!

Rising Star Award

Jonathon Smith, Springs at Hamburg

Continental provides many opportunities for growth for our team members. This year, we recognize three team members who have demonstrated empowerment in their roles and taken the initiative to take on new opportunities to develop themselves further.

Jonathon quickly established himself as a leader within Continental, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to community engagement. He is passionate about creating a strong sense of community, evident in the recurring events he organizes, the attentive customer service he provides, and his commitment to quality assurance, which has earned the community high customer ratings. His contributions extended beyond his own community, as he stepped into leadership roles across Continental’s portfolio, supporting leasing efforts and driving customer satisfaction. His dedication to executing high-impact leasing strategies and going above and beyond has positioned him as a go-to resource for many in the organization. Way to go, Jonathon!

Steve Heldenbrand Award

Jacob Musselman, Springs at McKnight Lake

Jacob’s dedication to maintenance operations, problem-solving, and one-team mentality has made him an invaluable asset to Continental. His efforts in streamlining processes, improving the customer experience, and supporting sister communities underscore his commitment to excellence. His impressive resident feedback reflects the outstanding impact he has made on residents. Jacob’s ability to lead by example, take on new challenges, and drive exceptional service standards has set a benchmark in maintenance and operations. Jacob is presented with this award because he embodies the attributes of Steve Heldenbrand, a former Maintenance Supervisor at Continental for several years, who consistently surpassed expectations in his dedication to the community and its residents. Although Steve is no longer with us, his legacy at Continental endures every day, and we continue to honor the impact he made on countless team members and residents through this award. Congratulations Jacob!

The final day of the conference featured roundtable sessions, where managers engaged in focused discussions to build critical skills and gain resources essential for their roles. These interactive sessions further reinforced Continental’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

“We left Chicago with a renewed focus on 'together,' understanding how our individual 'why' contributes to our collective success and consistent performance,” shared Travis Millner, Director of Revenue Management. “The energy from the meeting, built on shared reflection and celebration, is now being channeled back to our teams, fostering a deeper understanding of our purpose. Consistency and collaboration are our keys to achieving the extraordinary in 2025.”

Closing remarks from Heather and Paul reflected on the progress made, the collaborative spirit of the event, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Continental. The 2025 Manager's Meeting reaffirmed Continental’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation, leadership, and growth as it continues to raise the industry bar. Thank you to our sponsors and team members who made this year’s Manager’s Meeting a success!