19th Annual 360 Housing Trade Expo Connects East Bay Rental Housing Providers With Industry Experts

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OAKLAND, CA. Property owners, managers, housing professionals, and industry service providers gathered at Oakland’s historic Rotunda Building on Saturday, October 17, for the East Bay Rental Housing Association’s (EBRHA) 19th Annual 360 Housing Trade Expo. This year’s event brought practical property management education, legislative discussion, technology demonstrations, and networking opportunities for the East Bay rental housing community.

The program reflected the many responsibilities facing today’s rental housing providers, from protecting property investments and keeping up with changing housing laws to improving operational efficiency and responding to residents’ evolving needs.

EBRHA CEO Derek Barnes and Board President Wayne Rowland,  welcomed the attendees to the event which was designed to connect providers with the knowledge, resources, and professional relationships needed to navigate a changing housing landscape.  They also recognised the essential role rental housing providers play in our local communities by voting this November 3rd for legislation that strengthens the industry.  EBRHA has released its 2026 Voter Guide, which you can view HERE.

Property Management Strategies for Today’s Rental Market

The Expo kicked off with a Property Management Panel titled “Smarter Property Management: Protecting Your Investment in Today’s Rental Market.” The discussion featured Crystal Jessup of Aventis Management, Realtor John Caronna of East Bay Property Advisor, and Alexandra Alvarado, senior account manager at TenantAlert!.

The panel’s focus addressed a central concern for rental housing providers: how to protect their investments while managing the practical demands of operating rental properties in a changing market.

For property owners, effective management involves more than collecting rent and arranging repairs. It requires thoughtful decision-making, reliable processes, and an understanding of the factors that influence property performance and long-term sustainability.

The expo also featured live demonstrations of LeaseBase, a platform designed to streamline operations and simplify lease management. Scheduled twice during the day, the demonstrations gave attendees an opportunity to learn about technology intended to help providers manage the day-to-day demands of rental housing more efficiently.

Legislative Updates Address Housing Providers’ Changing Obligations

Legislation and regulatory compliance were another major focus of the event.

At 12:30 p.m., attendees gathered for the Legislative Panel, featuring Krista Gulbransen, executive director of the Berkeley Property Owners Association; attorney Phil Shekerlian of Barth Calderon Attorneys; attorney Alana Conner of Fried, Williams & Grice Conner; and Maria Spencer, director of federal legislative affairs at the National Apartment Association (NAA).

The panel brought together legal, local housing advocacy, and national industry perspectives at a time when rental housing providers must pay close attention to evolving laws and regulations.

For East Bay owners and managers, staying informed about legislative developments is an important part of operating responsibly. Regulatory requirements can influence leasing practices, property management procedures, expenses, and the decisions providers make about maintaining and investing in their properties.

By including both local and federal legislative perspectives, EBRHA’s program highlighted the importance of understanding how policy developments at different levels of government can affect rental housing operations.

Exploring Electric Vehicle Charging and Property Technology

As property owners consider upgrades to their buildings and changes in resident expectations, technology and infrastructure remain important areas of interest.

The expo included a presentation by EV Plugbox focused on electric vehicle charging for rental properties. The session covered how charging infrastructure can add value, meet residents’ evolving needs, and help make properties EV-ready. Installation considerations, potential benefits, and practical solutions were also part of the presentation.

For rental housing providers evaluating building improvements, electric vehicle charging presents questions about installation, cost, property suitability, and future demand. The session offered an opportunity to explore the considerations involved in assessing charging options for rental housing.

The LeaseBase demonstrations complemented this discussion by focusing on technology for lease management and operational efficiency. Together, these sessions reflected the range of tools available to providers as they consider both physical property improvements and improvements to their management processes.

Practical Education for New and Aspiring Property Managers

Education extended beyond the panel discussions and product demonstrations.

At 1 p.m., Michelle Horneff-Cohen led a live, interactive property management Q&A session designed for new and aspiring property managers. The 60-minute session invited participants to bring questions and gain practical guidance, real-world insights, and a stronger foundation for navigating the challenges of property management.

For those entering the industry, opportunities to learn from experienced professionals can help build the knowledge and confidence needed to manage properties effectively. The session also reinforced the value of continuing education for professionals working in an industry with ongoing operational and regulatory demands.

Connecting Providers With Industry Resources

The exhibitor floor was a central part of the expo, bringing together businesses and organizations serving rental housing providers across a wide range of needs.

Exhibitors represented property management software, insurance, banking and legal support, construction and remodeling, maintenance, pest control, flooring, roofing, plumbing, waste management, energy conservation, and electric vehicle charging.

The program also featured community organizations and public agencies, including the Alameda County Assessor’s Office, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department, Alameda County Housing Provider Resource Center, Oakland Rent Adjustment Program (Oakland RAP), Oakland Housing Authority, Abode Services, and Contra Costa Community Development Corporation.

Their participation highlighted the range of public, nonprofit, and private-sector resources connected to rental housing in the East Bay.

For property owners and managers, the trade expo offered an opportunity to meet providers directly, learn about available services, and build relationships that may be useful when addressing maintenance needs, improving operations, or navigating housing-related programs.

Recognizing Industry Contributions and Building Connections

The event also made room for recognition and community-building. The program included an EBRHA Awards Ceremony at 11 a.m., giving the association an opportunity to recognize contributions within the rental housing community.

Attendees could also participate in the expo’s “Around the Rotunda Bingo” activity, visiting exhibitor tables to collect stickers and complete a card for a chance to win the grand prize. The schedule concluded with closing remarks from Derek Barnes, followed by an after-party in the Rotunda Bar Area.

These activities added a social dimension to a day centered on professional education and industry resources, encouraging attendees to engage with exhibitors and fellow housing professionals.

Supporting the East Bay Rental Housing Community

The 19th Annual EBRHA 360 Housing Trade Expo brought together several key areas of concern for rental housing providers: property management, legislative developments, technology, building improvements, and access to industry resources.

For providers across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, these topics are closely connected to the everyday work of maintaining rental properties, serving residents, and making informed decisions about their investments.

By bringing together property management professionals, attorneys, housing organizations, public agencies, and service providers, EBRHA created a forum for the rental housing community to exchange knowledge and strengthen professional connections.

As rental housing providers continue to navigate changing regulations, operational demands, and evolving property needs, access to relevant education and reliable industry relationships remains an important part of managing housing successfully throughout the East Bay.

About EBRHA

The East Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA) serves rental housing providers throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Through education, advocacy, industry events, and professional resources, the association supports property owners and managers as they navigate the responsibilities of rental housing ownership and operation.

Learn more at www.ebrha.com.