From First-Time Attendees to Industry Advocates: Room to Grow Ambassadors Reflect on their Experience at TAA ONE

For the 2025 Room to Grow Ambassadors—Preston Duff, Chelsie Simpson, and Mystri Nestell—this year’s TAA ONE Conference in Houston was more than just their first time attending the industry’s largest event. It was a career-boosting experience filled with learning, connection, and inspiration.

These three professionals, each on a unique path in the Texas rental housing industry, came together as ambassadors through the Texas Apartment Association Education Foundation’s (TAAEF) Room to Grow Program, which celebrates the diverse journeys and career growth available in multifamily housing.

As first-time attendees, they embraced the opportunity to engage with peers from across the state, learn from leading voices, and deepen their understanding of the industry they’re proud to represent.

First Impressions & Lasting Impact

Attending the TAA ONE Conference for the first time is of course exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. All three ambassadors entered the experience with optimism and an open mind, and came away from the event energized and empowered. Read on to hear about their first impressions, individual experiences, and key takeaways. 

Preston Duff, who transitioned from restaurant management to a Regional Sales Manager at Precision Appliance Leasing, summed up the conference in one word, “awe” and explained that the most important thing he learned while at TAA ONE is about the longevity of the new relationships you forge:

“If I had to sum up my first TAA ONE Conference in one word, it’s awe. What surprised me most was how quickly it felt like family here in the multifamily industry. Every person I met brought meaningful conversation and genuine connection.”

“One onsite manager told me she attends every year not just to learn, but because of the relationships she builds and how those connections often come full circle as people move across roles and companies. That really stuck with me. The relationships you start at TAA ONE don’t end here—they evolve with you.”

Continuous Learning & Keynote Insights 

Attending education sessions and main stage keynotes gave the ambassadors a front-row seat to topics shaping the future of the multifamily industry—from leadership and customer experience to innovation and maintenance savings.

Whether learning how to elevate resident satisfaction or better manage burnout, each ambassador found the content valuable and was able to apply it to their unique journey in the Texas rental housing industry.

Chelsie Simpson with Q10 Property Advisors was most excited about the new knowledge, insights, and tangible takeaways from the education sessions and keynotes she attended that she can take back with her:

“The most impactful part of the ONE Conference for me has been the education sessions. I had the chance to hear from my CEO, Stephane Graves, about time management, which was both personal and practical. As someone managing an affordable property, I also attended a session on affordable housing and walked away with real tools I can bring back to support both my team and my residents.”

“The biggest surprise? Jesse Cole’s keynote. His ‘fans first’ approach with the Savannah Bananas completely shifted how I think about the resident experience. It was inspiring and actionable, and I can’t wait to implement that mindset to help our residents feel more connected and stay longer.”

Networking That Inspires and Opens Doors

From casual conversations in activation lounges to discovering new vendors and exhibitor booths, networking was a major highlight for the Room to Grow Ambassador winners. Each attendee left the conference with a confidence boost, new contacts, mentor relationships, and a broader sense of connection and community within the industry: 

For Mystri Nestell, a Maintenance Manager with Summit Property Management, these sessions were both informative and personally validating:

“As a maintenance manager, stepping out of my comfort zone was the hardest part but attending TAA ONE helped me realize I’m capable of so much more. Walking through the Expo and seeing all the creative vendor booths opened my eyes to the depth of this industry. I had meaningful conversations and gathered new insights that showed me just how far I can grow in my career.”

“I feel more confident and connected now to the Texas rental housing industry than ever before, and I know exactly who to go to for information and what steps to take next. My advice for first-time attendees? Come prepared, keep an open mind, talk to everyone, and soak it all in.”

Growing Skills and Confidence Simultaneously 

As part of their role, each ambassador represented TAAEF’s Room to Grow campaign, TAAEF’s flagship initiative that aims to raise awareness about the diverse career opportunities within the Texas apartment industry. For Preston, Chelsie, and Mystri, their first time attendee experiences at TAA ONE 2025 confirmed what they already knew: this industry welcomes you with open arms, and has limitless potential for anyone willing to learn, grow, and contribute.

Together, the trio represents the spirit of the Room to Grow Program—resilient, passionate professionals with stories that inspire. As they return to their roles with new tools, connections, and confidence, they also return as ambassadors for the industry itself—ready to encourage the next wave of talent.

Learn More

Discover more about the Room to Grow Ambassador’s stories, watch their videos, and explore tools and resources on the TAAEF website.