Why We're Heading to CHPA Connect 26: The Future of Corporate Housing in Austin

Let's be honest, February in Dallas can be... well, unpredictable. So when we got the call to pack our bags for Austin and CHPA Connect 26 from February 15-18, we didn't exactly have to twist anyone's arm. But this isn't just about escaping to Texas BBQ and live music (though that's definitely a perk). This year's conference is shaping up to be one we can't afford to miss.

Why Connect 26 Matters More Than Ever

If you've been in the corporate housing game for a while, you know that CHPA Connect isn't just another industry event. With roughly 500 attendees and 50 exhibitors, it's literally the largest gathering of corporate housing professionals on the planet. That's not marketing speak: it's just facts.

But here's what really gets us excited: the timing couldn't be better. The industry welcomed nine new member companies just last month. Nine! That kind of momentum tells us something big is happening in our space, and we want a front-row seat to where things are headed.

At PBD Living, we've always believed that staying connected to the pulse of the industry isn't optional: it's essential. And when you're talking about an event that brings together the brightest minds in corporate housing for four days of education, collaboration, and yes, some serious networking, you show up ready to learn.

Austin: The Perfect Backdrop for Big Ideas

There's something fitting about hosting this year's conference in Austin. The city has basically written the playbook on growth, innovation, and doing things differently. Sound familiar? That's exactly what's happening in corporate housing right now.

Austin's been a magnet for businesses, remote workers, and people looking for something beyond the traditional. The city gets flexibility. It understands that modern professionals need spaces that adapt to their lives, not the other way around. In a lot of ways, Austin embodies what we're all trying to build in the corporate housing sector.

Plus, let's not pretend like we're not excited about the breakfast tacos.

What We're Really There For

Sure, the sessions and keynotes are great (and we'll definitely be taking notes), but here's the thing about Connect 26 that makes it different: it's where real relationships get built. This isn't speed-dating for business cards: it's about finding the people who get what you're trying to do and figuring out how you can help each other succeed.

We're looking forward to connecting with:

Potential partners who share our vision for what corporate housing can be. Whether that's property managers looking for a better way to operate, or businesses tired of the status quo, we want to hear your story.

Industry veterans who've seen it all. There's so much institutional knowledge in this space, and Connect 26 is basically a masterclass in learning from people who've been solving these problems for decades.

New voices bringing fresh perspectives. Those nine new member companies we mentioned? We want to know what they're seeing, what gaps they're filling, and what problems they're solving that the rest of us haven't even noticed yet.

Supply chain connections because at the end of the day, corporate housing is a team sport. The best providers know they can't do it alone, and finding the right partners: from furniture suppliers to tech platforms: can make or break the guest experience.

The Education Factor

Let's talk about professional development for a second. The corporate housing industry is changing fast. Guest expectations are evolving. Technology is opening doors we didn't even know existed five years ago. Sustainability isn't a nice-to-have anymore: it's a requirement.

CHPA Connect 26 offers something you can't get from a webinar or a white paper: sophisticated, practical education delivered by people who are actually in the trenches with you. The sessions aren't theoretical: they're built on real-world challenges and solutions that work.

We're especially interested in conversations around:

• How technology is reshaping the guest experience (and what that means for operations)

• Sustainability practices that actually make financial sense

• Navigating the weird space between traditional corporate housing and the rise of flexible work

• Quality control and consistency across properties

The thing about face-to-face learning is that you can ask the follow-up questions. You can challenge assumptions. You can share what's working (and what's not) with people who actually understand the context. That's powerful.

Where PBD Living Fits Into All This

We're not going to Austin to just take notes: we're going to share what we've learned too. Our approach to corporate housing has always been a little different. We focus on wellness, quality, and creating spaces where people actually want to spend time (not just crash between meetings).

From air quality sensors to pet-friendly policies to resort-style amenities, we've spent years figuring out what makes a temporary space feel less temporary. And honestly? We don't have all the answers. That's why events like Connect 26 are so valuable: they push us to think bigger and question our assumptions.

We're excited to hear how other providers are tackling similar challenges. What's working in other markets? What are guests asking for that we haven't thought about? How are other companies balancing growth with maintaining quality?

The Networking That Actually Matters

Here's a secret about industry conferences: the best conversations rarely happen during the scheduled sessions. They happen over coffee before the day starts. At dinner after the exhibit hall closes. In the lobby when you run into someone you haven't seen in years and end up talking for an hour.

That's the magic of Connect 26. It creates space for those unplanned moments where real connections form. Maybe you meet a property manager who's struggling with the exact problem you just solved. Maybe you discover a technology platform that could transform your operations. Maybe you just make a friend who gets the weird, wonderful world of corporate housing.

We're planning to make ourselves available: whether that's at the PBD Living booth, at evening events, or just wandering the halls looking for interesting conversations. If you're going to be there, let's connect. Seriously. We want to hear what you're working on.

The Industry Growth Story

That influx of nine new member companies in January isn't random. It's a signal that corporate housing is entering a new chapter. Remote work, flexible arrangements, and the blurring lines between business travel and extended stays are creating opportunities that didn't exist before.

But growth also brings challenges. How do we maintain quality standards as the industry expands? How do we differentiate when more players enter the market? How do we stay true to what makes corporate housing special while adapting to new guest expectations?

These aren't questions with easy answers, but they're questions worth asking together. Connect 26 gives us the chance to tackle them as a community rather than in isolation.

See You in Austin

So that's why we're heading to CHPA Connect 26. Not just for the sessions (though they're great). Not just for the networking (though that's essential). But because we believe that the future of corporate housing is going to be shaped by the conversations that happen in Austin this February.

The industry is evolving fast, and the only way to stay ahead is to stay connected: to peers, to partners, to new ideas, and to the people who are pushing this sector forward.

If you're attending Connect 26, come find us. Let's talk about where corporate housing is headed and how we can shape that future together. And if you're not attending but want to chat about corporate housing, flexible living, or anything else in our space, reach out anytime.

Austin, here we come. Let's make it count.