What Happened in Student Housing: November & December '25 Wrap-Up - SHI 1020

🎙️Episode Summary In this wrap-up episode for November and December, Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare take a deep dive into the busy conference season and the latest industry news. The duo recaps Wes’s experience as an "influencer" at the OpTech conference in Las Vegas, including insights on prop-tech trends and the spectacle of the Sphere. They then shift focus to a detailed breakdown of LeaseCon TurnCon, sharing takeaways from the student panel, the importance of the human element in leasing, and the ongoing staffing challenges discussed at the ShopTalk Executive Summit. The conversation moves to critical news impacting the sector, starting with a discussion on the shifting value perception of four-year degrees based on a recent NBC poll. Wes and Gretta also tackle the FTC’s recent settlement with Greystar regarding fee transparency and analyze the latest Open Doors data showing a decline in new international student enrollment. Finally, they cover major company news, including Lincoln Property Company’s acquisition of Capstone Development Partners and updates on Yugo’s portfolio growth. ⏱️Timestamps 00:03:34 – OpTech Conference Recap: Being an "Influencer" & PropTech trends 00:10:00 – Exhibit Hall highlights: App Work’s unique booth strategy 00:15:47 – Hologram technology in conferences 00:18:00 – LeaseCon TurnCon Recap: Bringing the whole team 00:23:18 – The Student Panel: Why students still want human connection 00:34:00 – ShopTalk Executive Summit: HR and maintenance staffing challenges 00:44:50 – Debate: Where should future conferences be held? (Charlotte vs. Dallas) 00:53:50 – Industry News: NBC Poll on the declining perceived value of college degrees 01:06:00 – FTC & Greystar: The settlement on "junk fees" and transparency in advertising 01:16:00 – International Student Trends: Analyzing the Open Doors data and enrollment drops 01:25:00 – Company News: Lincoln Property Company acquires Capstone Development Partners 01:28:40 – Management Updates: Peak and Yugo portfolio awards 💡Sponsor Spotlight: Jameson Bedding This episode is sponsored by Jameson Bedding. As you prepare your budget and inventory for the upcoming summer turn, don't let the stress of mattress replacement slow you down. Student Housing Pros rely on Jameson Bedding for their US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48, along with durable encasements to extend the life of your inventory. Visit StudentHousingMattress.com to learn more and stay ready for move-in. 🔗 References & Resources Student Housing Insight Platform: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/ ShopTalk Webinar Info: https://www.shoptalk.info/ Open Doors Data (International Student Enrollment): https://opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/international-students/?utm_source=chatgpt.com NBC News Poll: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-dramatic-shift-americans-no-longer-see-four-year-college-degrees-rcna243672?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_15919381_nl_Daily-Briefing_date_20251202 FTC News Release: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/greystar-agrees-pay-24-million-stop-deceptive-advertising-practices-result-ftc-colorado-lawsuit?utm_source=chatgpt.com OpTech Conference (NMHC): https://rettc.org/events/optech-2025