Congress & Expo Unites the Industry for Learning, Innovation and Connection in Las Vegas

Congratulations to the newly certified Professional Housing Consultants^® who successfully completed the LIVE PHC Experience at Congress & Expo. The new PHCs learned how to structure their day for maximum productivity, how to promote homes and position themselves as a trusted source, how to engage today’s buyers across calls, emails and digital channels, how to master the consultative sales process, and how to handle objections with confidence.

Keynote Inspires Industry to Lead the Next Wave of Housing Innovation

Futurist and PropTech leader Nikki Greenberg kicked off the 2026 MHI Congress & Expo with a keynote sponsored by UMH Properties, Inc. She spoke about how technology, demographics and design innovation are reshaping the future of manufactured housing, framing the current environment as the start of a “sixth wave” of innovation, driven by AI, robotics and industrialized construction. Greenberg urged industry leaders to view change not as a threat but as a powerful opportunity.

She highlighted shifting consumer expectations across generations, noting that both digital‑native younger buyers and tech‑savvy older Americans now expect convenience, transparency and high‑quality design. Drawing on global examples from Australia and Europe, Greenberg discussed how prefabrication, factory-built home construction, sustainability features and amenity‑rich communities are elevating housing perceptions and accelerating delivery.

Greenberg emphasized that manufactured housing is uniquely positioned to benefit from emerging technologies as costs fall and tools mature. She pointed to AI applications that can streamline approvals, improve property management, enhance customer engagement and drive operational efficiency across the value chain.

While acknowledging the risks of adopting new technology, Greenberg warned that the greater risk lies in inaction. She encouraged leaders to “crawl, walk, run” toward innovation, invest modestly in future growth, and focus on quick wins alongside long‑term strategy. She concluded by reinforcing manufactured housing’s critical role in addressing affordability, workforce shortages, and housing demand—calling on the industry to lead rather than follow.

Educational Workshops

During Congress & Expo, attendees chose educational workshops from three tracks: Newcomers, Industry Hot Topics, and Legal and Regulatory Issues.

Newcomers Track

The Newcomers Track, sponsored by Style Crest, was designed for professionals new to manufactured housing to give participants clarity on market opportunities, home types, and pathways for building a successful presence in the factory-built housing sector.

In the session, “It’s Factory Built but What Is It?,” Chandler Tate, National Manager of Community Sales, Clayton Homes, gave an overview of the different types of factory-built homes offered today, how they differ and which is right for your business.

In the “Newcomer Q&A” panel, John Loucks, Vice President, Business Development, CoverTree, Inc., moderated a discussion among Matt Niño, President, Retail, Cavco Industries; Steve Peel, Director of Sales – Northeast Region, Champion Homes; and Tim Taylor, Sales Manager, Oliver Technologies. The panel discussed how to establish and grow your business in the manufactured housing industry.

Jeff Barringer, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP; and Matt Webb, General Counsel, 21st Mortgage Corporation; discussed options in how to title the home, available lending products and where a home can be sited in the panel, “Taxes, Titles and Financing: Flexible Options for Manufactured Housing.”

Industry Hot Topics Track

The Industry Hot Topics Track, sponsored by Rent Manager, covered lending developments, new research, economic and real estate forecasts, and the role of technology in the industry’s future.

In “The Latest in Lending” panel, DJ Pendleton, Executive Director, Texas Manufactured Housing Association, moderated a discussion among Nelson Deluz, Executive Vice President-Originations, Cascade Financial Services; Candice Doolan, SVP Commercial Lending, Triad Financial Services, Inc;. and Michael Johnson, Marketing Director, 21st Mortgage Corporation. The experts described their current personal property, land-home and government supported lending programs.

George Passantino, Managing Partner, Passantino Andersen, returned to the stage for the session, “What the Data Tells Us: New Research on Manufactured Housing Consumers and Communities.” He shared insight from recent research examining manufactured home residents, prospective buyers and consumers who are still forming their views of manufactured housing.

Emeka Nnadi, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Nadi Group, highlighted how manufactured housing can serve as a powerful tool for both seasoned developers and those new to the space in the session, “From Land to Opportunity: Developing with Manufactured Housing.”

In the panel, “Financing and Developing Manufactured Housing at Scale,” Dr. Lesli Gooch, CEO, Manufactured Housing Institute, led a discussion among Andrew Bryant, Business Development Manager, Clayton Homes; Erin Persons, Single-Family Director, Duty to Serve, Freddie Mac; Zach Ragland, Affordable Lending Manager, Fannie Mae; and Brad Waite, President, Land Home Financial Services; about how new financing tools and development models are unlocking manufactured housing subdivisions and expanding the role of manufactured housing in residential development.

Legal & Regulatory Issues Track

The Legal and Regulatory Issues Track, sponsored by Boom, focused on the policies and legal frameworks influencing manufactured housing, particularly compliance, risk management, fair housing, and state/local regulatory issues. It included small group discussions with legal and regulatory experts about evolving rules, resident protections, advocacy efforts, and best practices for navigating regulatory challenges while supporting industry advancement.

Dr. Lesli Gooch, CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute, moderated a discussion among Mark Asnes, CEO and Managing Partner, Freehold Real Estate and President of the Connecticut Manufactured Housing Association; Logan Hanes, Executive Director of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute; and Jennifer Hall, Executive Director of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association. The panel, entitled, “State Advocacy in Action: Building a Pro-Growth Environment for Manufactured Housing,” focused on where advocacy is delivering meaningful wins on zoning and placement and where the industry continues to face significant challenges, especially for manufactured home communities.

During the “Legal Roundtable” session, legal experts from Cozen O’Connor, Hart Kienle Pentecost, SMGB Law, and Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP led an interactive small-group discussion about key legal topics impacting the industry.

In the session, “How MHI Is Elevating Manufactured Housing in Washington and Beyond,” MHI’s policy team led by CEO Dr. Lesli Gooch, with Vice President of Policy Teresa Payne and Director of Policy Madeline Tweden, discussed recent policy and regulatory progress, how MHI is proactively shaping the narrative around modern manufactured homes and communities, and what’s next on the advocacy agenda.

Congratulations to the 2026 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards winners!

Watch a video of the winning projects on the MHI website.

Volume Manufacturer of the Year

Clayton Home Building Group

Retail Sales Center of the Year – West

The Home Boys Spokane Valley, WA

Community Operator of the Year

Flagship Communities REIT

Land-Lease Community of the Year – West

Lavender Meadows MHC (55+) by Collective Communities

Supplier of the Year

Blevins, Inc.

Lender of the Year Regional

autoMHatic Financial

Manufactured Home Community Lender/Broker of the Year

Berkadia

Manufactured Home Design – Single Section

Cabana Serenity by Cavco Industries

Modular Housing Design Award

The Luxus by Cavco Industries

Small Volume Manufacturer of the Year – Three Plants or Less

Adventure Homes

Manufactured Home Design – Multi-Section

The Wildbury “Wally’s House” by Adventure Homes

Retail Sales Center of the Year – East

Clayton Homes, Beaufort, SC

Community Operator of the Year

UMH Properties, Inc.

Land-Lease Community of the Year – East

Saddle Creek by UMH Properties, Inc.

Manufactured Home Development of the Year

Valley Vista Village by Homes Direct and Land Home Financial Services, Inc.

Lender of the Year – Floor Plan & Volume Lender of the Year

21st Mortgage Corporation