HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS
Scan Me!
Because of COVID, businesses had to rethink how to get physical marketing pieces into the hands of customers. One of the emerging techniques is the revitalization of the QR code. The Homestead Companies Marketing team has adopted this technology and has created new experiences for users. With the rise in mobile device sales, technology has allowed consumers to get to their destinations quicker and easier. On-the-go consumers are quickly becoming accustomed to online shopping via mobile devices and often require a quick and efficient way to do their research. QR Codes have emerged as a convenient alternative to traditional print advertisement formats. QR Codes offer users with relevant advertising and hyper-local information, which has become popular in the U.S. and Canada. Since the Homestead has begun using these innovative QR Codes, the company has increased its ad exposure by almost 10%. "We are currently using QR codes for self-guided tours, online reviews, digital brochures, and enter to win promotions," said Ryan McGahan, Vice President Of Operations. McGahan continues, "QR codes are easier to use now, and the data you can collect on a user is invaluable. As soon as the user scans the code, we capture phone#, name, and email in realtime. It can be a great way to generate leads, and we are enhancing the program in 2021."
Check out the experience here by opening up your camera app on your phone and hover over the code:
Scan the QR with your phone app and enter to win a $20 gift card to Target
Employee Spotlight: Qiletha Caston
Job Title: Director of Operations
Property: Homestead Companies Home Office Employee
1.) How long have you been with Homestead? 2 years 8 months
2.) What were you doing before Homestead? Property Manager (ACC) then traveling solo through Europe
3.) Where are you originally from? Memphis, TN
4.) What are your two favorite hobbies? Latin Dancing & Travel
5.) What would you most like to tell your 13 year old self? Don't fear the unknown. Embrace it!
6.) If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be? Lucille Ball, Janet Jackson, Barack Obama
7.) Who is the most famous person you have ever met? Ne-yo
8.) What is your dream vacation? Traveling throughout Southeast Asia for an extended period of time
9.) What is the one THING, you can’t live without? Music
10.) What is your fondest moment at Homestead Companies? Being able to witness the joy and excitement of our TX & AZ team playing in snow for the first time at the 2019 CEO Summit.
Champ Chain Winner: Rylan Romesburg
Congratulations to Rylan Romesburg, Leasing and Marketing Manager at The View. He is the newest recipient of the Homestead U Champ Chain.
Dana Culbert, General Manager stated "Rylan has really stepped up and made leasing his #1 focus while we were down several positions. Rylan has an "I'll figure it out" attitude, which during turn is something I'm very thankful for. He works hard to provide guidance to our team, and has shown tremendous dedication to our future residents, answering their questions and concerns, while staying focused on occupancy goals and leasing! Rylan also has a great sense of humor, which makes working with him tons of fun."
Health Tip: Open Enrollment
The open enrollment period for you to make elections will be September 4th through September 11th. This means all elections must be completed by close of business on 9/11 to ensure your changes are effective on 10/1.
Happy Labor Day
We are happy to recognize the workforce achievements that the Labor Day Holiday stands for and to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. Happy Labor Day to you and your families!
Homestead Construction Expands
Beavercreek, OH --- Homestead Construction expands to the Dayton, Ohio area, building the second Homestead Village Active Living 55+ community. The 90,000 square feet and 130 unit community broke ground in January with a Village and model opening in February of 2021. Preleaseing will kick off in September, and the marketing team is planning a ribbon-cutting that is scheduled for early summer.
Beavercreek, OH --- Homestead Construction expands to the Dayton, Ohio area, building the second Homestead Village Active Living 55+ community. The 90,000 square feet and 130 unit community broke ground in January with a Village and model opening in February of 2021. Preleaseing will kick off in September, and the marketing team is planning a ribbon-cutting that is scheduled for early summer.
2021 will be a breakthrough year for Homestead Construction and Homestead Development as well. Adding more staff to their teams and bringing more projects into the Homestead Family.
Homestead U prepares for Turns
July ended with mass move-outs across Homestead U, and the official kick-off of 2020 turns! In student housing, this is a 3-week grind to prepare for the next wave of incoming residents. For HU, it's the culmination of 10 months of hard work, preparation, and dedication to our communities. Turn represents the epitome of teamwork and leadership and sets the tone for move-in day and the upcoming renewal and leasing season.
With COVID presenting extra challenges for this year's leasing season, it has also pushed our team to think creatively and strategically. It's also created an opportunity to streamline aspects of our operations, which will definitely be a part of our "new normal" moving forward.
"While this year has certainly been a challenging one, it's also magnified the strength and resilience of our onsite team members across the organization. I'm so proud of how our team has adapted to this ever-changing environment and the resulting streamlining and efficiencies in our operations. One great example: express move-ins! While necessitated by COVID, I think this will set the standard for student housing move-ins and the resident experience going forward. " - Laura Formica, Vice President of Operations
Thank you to our student housing teams for working so hard during this year's turn! We're sending you lots of good luck wishes and positive vibes for an awesome 2020 move in!
Homestead Village's Warm Welcome
Homestead Village Active Living 55+ opened its doors to the Grove City community and welcomed future residents and prospects. The goal was to have an engaging event that showed off the Village and community while keeping COVID protocols in place to keep everyone safe.
"We wanted to tap into experiential marketing. In a nutshell, experiential marketing is about transforming a standard event into a standout experience—experience prospects will want to tell their friends about and share on social media". - Ryan McGahan, Vice President Of Marketing.
After a quick "think tank" session, the team looked at events that that would resonate with the demographic. Eve Gustwiller, Lead Graphic Designer, stated, "We really wanted to invoke a sense of nostalgia and create normalcy during a time of uncertainty."
The team decided on a Village Fair that had a carnival-type atmosphere. There were games, prizes, balloon, and character artists, and the local favorite Bubbas Shaved Ice served snow cones to attendees.
The Homestead Village team Tanya Brand, Lindsay Herrick, Jessah McDuffie, and Greg Burchwell put a lot of time and preparation into the event. It shows the power of what a strong team can do to bring a community together.
