Summer 2025 FCIAAO Newsletter

Back to the Beach Attendees soaked in sessions and the sunshine

From April 28 to May 2, 2025, Daytona Beach welcomed over 300 attendees and 26 vendors for the annual conference. It was the first time since 2002 that the chapter returned to this coastal city. The Daytona Hilton proved to be a fantastic host, offering a spacious conference area well-suited for our growing event and a stunning setting for the 'Cinco de Mayo in la Playa' theme. On Monday and Tuesday, 32 students participated in our two Pre-Conference workshops, IAAO 851 and 852, as they advanced toward earning their Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES) and Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS) designations. These workshops are designed to help prepare candidates for the Case Study Exams. We're excited to see more designees joining the ranks in Florida! The 2025 Annual Conference officially began on Wednesday, with President Kevin Hayes welcoming attendees to Daytona. This year’s Host County, Volusia, was represented by the Honorable Larry Bartlett, who gave an engaging presentation on the area's rich history. He also embraced our conference theme by sporting a sombrero! We were honored to welcome IAAO President Donna Vandervries to our conference and appreciated her accepting our invitation. She provided an update on current initiatives and activities at the national level, along with upcoming developments and goals the Board is working toward.

Our inaugural Townhall Meeting, “Common Challenges, Unique Issues,” opened Wednesday’s General Sessions. Moderated by Will Shepherd, Esq., the open mic format gave attendees the chance to share and discuss the pressing issues affecting their offices. From disaster response procedures to differing approaches on parcel splits, it was a valuable and engaging exchange of ideas. Our second General Session, “Intangibles: The Dark Matter of the Property Tax,” explored what many are calling the next evolution of the dark store theory. Will Shepherd, Esq., offered a clear and timely look into this complex issue and its growing impact on property taxation. He helped separate fact from fiction and provided guidance on how to recognize what qualifies as an intangible. It’s a topic we’ll undoubtedly be hearing more about in the future.

The afternoon concluded with the Tony Hodge Award Ceremony, where ten individuals were honored for achieving an IAAO designation. Each recipient received a $500 award in recognition of their accomplishment. Congratulations to all the awardees! Wednesday evening’s Welcome Reception took place in the Oceanview Room & Terrace, a perfect setting to connect with fellow attendees and enjoy an early Cinco de Mayo celebration! A special thank you to Vision Government Solutions for sponsoring this memorable event. (Cont’d Next page)

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STAYING APPRAISED

SUMMER 2025