Boston, MA CAI developed education is the foundation of the institute’s mission. Among the many educational programs available to condominium homeowners, professional managers and the service and product providers who work with them is a program designed specifically for CAI business partners – The Business Partners Essentials course.

CAI business partners - accountants, attorneys, building maintenance and construction contractors, disaster restoration professionals, engineers, insurance professionals, landscapers, lenders, painters, reserve specialists, software and technology providers and many others – are indispensable to condominium communities and their association managers. The Business Partners Essentials course is education specifically designed for community association business partners and offers valuable insight to community association operations including the nature and dynamics of community associations and how to best serve them saving associations time and money and reducing frustration for board members and community managers; provides an overview of industry trends and best practices as well as a perspective on the unique and evolving aspects of New England associations; and details the many CAI member benefits and services available to keep business partners informed and in front of important association decision makers. 

The program will outline:

• Important local, regional and national facts and association industry trends.

• Types of community associations and their unique and differing needs and restrictions.

• Bidding and contracting issues unique to condominiums and association boards.

• Annual budgets, reserve studies and other financial considerations that influence the process.

• Insurance, laws and governing documents that impact board members and managers and the decisions they make.

• Customer and homeowner expectations in a community association setting.

Educated Business Partner (EBP) Distinction
Completion of the Business Partners Essential course and exam is the first step in earning the CAI Educated Business Partner (EBP) distinction. CAI Business Partners support community associations with their guidance, products and services and CAI education helps these businesses and professionals differentiate themselves in the competitive community association marketplace.

Individuals who pass the course and maintain CAI membership earn the CAI Educated Business Partner (EBP) distinction and are listed on the CAI website at www.caionline.org thereby gaining special recognition among thousands of companies and professionals who support common-interest communities. “We congratulate CAI members who take the time and effort to complete the CAI Educated Business Partner online course,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “This achievement demonstrates a personal and corporate commitment to industry-specific education. It also reflects a desire to understand not just their own business clients, but also the nature and challenges of community associations in general. CAI applauds this accomplishment.”

The Business Partners Essentials course will be held on July 27 in Natick, MA and is also available as an online webinar.