2026 Trade Show

Education seminars are offered as a two-for-one package, giving you access to two seminars for one bundled price—so you can maximize learning, insights, and value in a single registration.

Seminars run from 1 pm to 2:30 pm and then 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Sharonville Convention Center on Wednesday, March 18.

LEASING AND MANAGEMENT TRACK

THE 2026 FAIR HOUSING BRIEFING: ESSENTIAL UPDATES FOR MANAGEMENT
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Presented by Bill Willis

The rules of the game have changed. Is your team prepared for the 2026 Fair Housing shifts? This traditional presentation-style session cuts through the noise to deliver the legal facts on:

• • The Disparate Impact Shift: What the new federal stance means for your daily operations.
  • Tech & Automation: Identifying hidden bias in AI screening and digital marketing.
  • Accommodation Hurdles: Handling the “Slow Means No” trap and fraudulent ESA documentation.
  • New Precedents: A review of recent court cases setting the standard for 2026.

LIONS, AND TIGERS, AND...FAKE PAYSTUBS? NAVIGATING THE WILD WOODS OF MODERN LEASING.
2:30 pm to 4 pm

The leasing landscape has shifted, and it feels like we aren’t in Kansas anymore. From deepfake identities and “doctored” bank statements to the legal tightrope of aggressive concessions and AI-driven screening, today’s property professionals are facing threats that didn’t exist two years ago.

Are your defenses up to date, or are you walking into a trap? Join us for an eye-opening session as we pull back the curtain on the three biggest challenges facing our industry today. We’re moving beyond the basics to help you spot the “man behind the curtain” and keep your community secure and compliant. What we’ll cover as we follow the yellow brick road to compliance:

• • The Fraud Epidemic: How to spot high-tech document tampering, “C-Suite” identity theft, and the latest tricks applicants are using to bypass traditional screening.
  • The Concession Trap: When do aggressive “Look & Lease” specials become a Fair Housing risk? Learn how to stay competitive without creating a disparate impact.
  • The AI Revolution: Navigating the “Oh My!” of artificial intelligence. We’ll discuss how AI is being used against us (fraud) and how to use it for us (efficiency) while staying within the latest 2026 legal guidelines.
  • Heart, Brains, and Courage: Building a verification process that is smart, consistent, and legally sound.

Don’t get blown away by the storm. Get the tools you need to protect your occupancy and your assets.

MAINTENANCE TRACK

THE TECH GAP FOR MAINTENANCE
PEER-TESTED, TECH APPROVED: THE TOOLS THAT ACTUALLY WORK
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Property management technology is evolving faster than ever—but which tools actually make your life easier, and which ones just get in the way? We went straight to the source to find out. We interviewed maintenance professionals across our association to get the “boots-on-the-ground” truth about the tech they can’t live without.

This isn’t a sales pitch for a software company; it’s a breakdown of the favorite tools, apps, and software as chosen by you. Whether it’s a game-changing troubleshooting app or a digital diagnostic tool that saves hours on the job, we’re bridging the “Tech Gap” using real feedback from your peers.

Plus: The Participation Prize Drawing! We’ll be wrapping up the session by awarding a special prize to one lucky participant from our pre-session tech survey. You must be present to win!

Whether you’re a tech-native or a “paper and pen” veteran, join us to see the digital toolkit your colleagues are using to work smarter, not harder.

FAIR HOUSING FOR MAINTENANCE UNFILTERED. YOU ASKED. WE'RE ANSWERING. REAL WORLD SOLUTIONS FOR THE FRONT LINES.
2:30 pm to 4 pm
Presented by Bill Willis

Maintenance pros are the “eyes and ears” of the property, but you’re often caught in the middle of the most awkward Fair Housing dilemmas. From the resident who won’t stop talking while you’re fixing a leak, to the “simple” request that turns into a legal nightmare—standard training doesn’t always cover what happens at the door.

We polled maintenance teams across the association to find out what really keeps you up at night. Now, we’re bringing those real-life challenges, field questions, and “what do I do?” moments to the stage. In this interactive, “Unfiltered” session, you’ll get:

• • The Field Report: We’re tackling the exact scenarios submitted by your peers—no sugar-coating, just reality.
  • The Attorney’s Take: An informal, sit-down interview with a Fair Housing attorney to get straight answers on how to handle “awkward” situations legally.
  • Conflict Without Compliance Issues: How to stay friendly and professional without accidentally crossing the line into a Fair Housing violation.
  • Documentation Secrets: How to record what you see in the field in a way that protects both you and the property.

Are you interested in participating in the 2026 Trade Show but don’t have the big budget or enough time for a booth? There is an easy and inexpensive way to get your name out in front of more than 600 people in less than 6 hours. This is a wonderful opportunity for all members - no matter if you have one representative or 100 employees - to get involved through a sponsorship.

GEOFENCE SPONSOR
$1000
Send your targeted advertisement across multiple digital channels to all your customers as they enter the area surrounding the facility on the day of the event. For exhibitors only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is February 18, 2026.

ATTENDEE LANYARD SPONSOR
$1000
Limit of 1. Your logo on the lanyard with your company colors. This lanyard is given to all attendees of educational seminars and trade show. For exhibitors only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is February 18, 2026.

PHONE CHARGING STATION SPONSOR
$300
Limit of 1. Your company name and logo on signage at the Phone Charging Station located in the Concierge Area near the entrance/exit of the trade show floor. For exhibitors only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is February 18, 2026.

WEBSITE POP-UP AD SPONSOR
$500
Get a pop-up banner ad displayed on www.gcnkaa.org for the three weeks leading up to the trade show. This is a one-time pop-up for all visitors to the website. For exhibitors only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is January 23, 2026.

WINDOW DECAL SPONSOR
$250
Get your name out in front of all attendees as they enter and exit the facility for the trade show and education seminars. Ad is 24” x 30” and will be placed on select exterior doors. For exhibitors only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is February 18, 2026.

EXECUTIVE FORUM SPONSOR
$500
Limit of 3. The forum sponsor will receive logo inclusion on forum invites, signage, and pre-event marketing. Sponsors will also have the opportunity to introduce themselves to attendees as well as introduce the moderator. Primary or associate members. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is January 23, 2026.

BEVERAGE SPONSORS
$500
Beverage Sponsors will receive inclusion on promotional pieces and signage at the 2026 trade show. For primary and associate members. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is February 18, 2026.

EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR SPONSORS
$350
Limit of 2. Sponsor will have the opportunity to speak prior to educational seminars and introduce the speaker. May also distribute promotional material to seminar attendees. Also includes signage and pre-event marketing. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is January 23, 2026.

FOOD SPONSOR
$300
Returning to the 2026 trade show are food vouchers for your choice of food or beverage from the cafe on the trade show floor. Food Sponsors will receive inclusion on promotional pieces and signage at the 2026 trade show. For primary and associate members. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is February 18, 2026.

LOGO SPONSORS
$300
Due to its success, we will once again be distributing the GCNKAA Tote Bag to the first 500 attendees. Logo sponsors receive inclusion on promotional pieces and the company logo on this bag. For associate members only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is January 23, 2026.

BAG SPONSOR
$500
Bag sponsors will receive inclusion on promotional pieces and your company logo on the event ‘swag bag.’ For primary members only. The deadline to reserve your sponsorship is January 23, 2026.

WI-FI SPONSOR
$350
NEW THIS YEAR! As the Wi-Fi Sponsor, your company’s name and logo will be prominently displayed on signage and login instructions throughout the trade show, ensuring attendees see your brand every time they connect. For exhibitors only. Deadline: February 18, 2026.

Prepare for a successful mission in multifamily when you join us for the 2026 GCNKAA Trade Show Leadership Forums. This is your opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders and explore the issues shaping the multifamily housing universe. In addition to our always-stellar lineup of thought leaders, your leadership team will gain access to an exciting array of educational sessions designed to help you navigate what’s ahead and reach new heights.