Strengthening Partnerships for Success: Key Takeaways from Our Session at CHPA CONNECT 2025

Collaboration at the Core: Elevating Partnerships, Expanding Opportunities 

The corporate housing industry thrives on collaboration. As the landscape evolves with new technologies, shifting client expectations, and market expansion, fostering stronger partnerships across all roles in the industry has never been more critical. Patricia Turek, Dwellworks Living Vice President, Global Operations led an educational session for CHPA CONNECT 2025, titled “Elevating Partnerships and Expanding Opportunities” to leverage the unique opportunity at the conference to focus our industry on next-level success. The February 18 workshop session, which featured Patricia along with 7 other industry leaders and over 100 CHPA audience members, was built around a panel who framed the key roles of each industry sector, from multi-family housing development through utility connection services, as well as member insights on how they are working creatively in the industry ecosystem to sustain success and opportunity.  

The interactive session focused on building long-term success through more effective cooperation between property developers, furniture and local service suppliers, and operators and agencies, in responding to client and market needs, while supporting business growth and a fair return on investment. Key discussion points included understanding the subject matter expertise of each industry sector, exploring client expectations, leveraging technology for efficiency, and ensuring that partnerships are structured to deliver consistent customer satisfaction as well as stability and success for all industry ecosystem contributors. 

The Role of Agents as Client Advocates and Supplier Partners 

During the panel discussion, moderated by Tracy Hayes, President, CWS Corporate Housing, Patricia Turek at Dwellworks Living and Mark Pooley, Senior Vice President at Weichert Corporate Housing explained the role of corporate housing agencies. Dwellworks Living, Patricia noted, does not lease core inventory nor are we an asset of a larger relocation management or real estate organization. Our business model is to identify solutions for any client need, whether for business travel, relocation, interns, group training, or project work, by matching properties from our portfolio with client specifications, and then coordinating service for the guest and administrative support for the client.  

The solutions model offers objective choices that do not promote agent inventory and at the same time offers more service than a marketplace/platform where the client manages their own selection and often manages the onsite experience as well. The value proposition is a single partner able to source solutions anywhere in the world, and present professionally managed furnished accommodations in an environment of complete duty of care. Mark Pooley presented a similar capability for Weichert Corporate Housing, but in a hybrid business model, as both an in-house service provider to clients of Weichert Workforce Mobility, and to an open marketplace of clients needing global furnished housing solutions. Weichert manages its own inventory in key markets, and accesses its supply chain for other locations. 

What the companies have in common is respect and appreciation for local operators, whether for executive living in New York City or man camps in Texas oil fields. The heart of the corporate housing industry is the ability to source solutions for client needs. Operators count on agencies to promote their solutions and generate opportunities to earn business, and agencies count on suppliers to build local inventory, adapt to client needs, and demonstrate flexibility in terms of cost and terms, based on the volume and complexity of the client. No surprise, the secret to success comes down to an appreciation of the business model of agent and supplier respectively, and a deep mutual respect for the value proposition each party offers to the client. Customers need coordination and controls, and they need access to properties. Agencies are an excellent option for global solutions management, provided the parties communicate well, do not over tax each other with unreasonable expectations, and provide opportunities for sustained business, earned through client trust in the delivered product and related support.  

The two agency leaders also touched on SLAs and the need to have a framework that gives clients assurance properties will be compliant, deadlines will be met, and financial performance targets can be achieved, with variances explained by data.   

Managing the business relationship in addition to sourcing housing and supporting the guest can feel like extra work, but ultimately, clients will work with the partners who can deliver to their specifications and provide expert guidance on what to expect in local markets. During this session, the point was clearly made that while agencies represent the voice of the customer, they are also eager to understand the expertise of the provider. The model works well and efficiently provided communications are clear and that all parties understand the ultimate goal is solving a client need: the client makes that choice based on the depth of the solutions offered and demonstrated alignment and understanding of the corporate client’s and individual guest’s requirements.  

Other Key Takeaways from the Session 

1.Understanding Industry Subject Matter Expertise 

The corporate housing industry encompasses multiple sectors. In order for the industry as a whole to be responsive to client needs and sustained opportunity, panelists took the time at this session to look at the contributions of each segment of the industry, from multi-family property developers, to furniture and local service providers, to operators who manage the on-the-ground experience and agencies who interact most frequently with corporate clients and relocation and travel management companies. The intent of this educational panel was to affirm the value and contribution of each sector and to confirm via real time examples that service is better when it’s coordinated and respectful of all partners, rather than a hand-off approach that negatively impacts partnership and effective communication.  

2. Exploring Client and Partnership Expectations 

A central theme of the panel discussion and workshop interaction was the importance of clearly defining partnership expectations through the lens of each contributing sector. In an industry where responsiveness and reliability are critical, Patricia Turek emphasized the need for transparent communication and alignment on service standards and the fact that delivering outstanding service is contingent not only on instructing operators, but on listening and learning to their feedback on local markets, availability, and other on-the-ground information that can impact client and guest expectations and results.  

3. An Ecosystem Optimized for Opportunity  

A key focus of the discussion was ensuring that local housing providers feel empowered and included in the discussions that drive industry growth. As the need for alternative accommodations options grows globally, maintaining strong feedback loops with local operators and sector specialists is critical to earning client confidence and repeat business. 

The session encouraged operators to actively participate in discussions about cost factors, service expectations, and operational efficiencies. By working closely with their local providers, corporate housing firms can enhance service consistency, gain deeper market insights, and ensure that all partners are aligned for long-term success. 

4. It All Starts with Service

Patricia Turek and other panel experts emphasized that successful partnerships are built on a foundation of mutual benefit and respect.  

To achieve this, the session participants recommended:

• Conducting regular strategy meetings between partners to align on goals. 
• Encouraging alternative ideas, innovation and adaptability in response to market changes and customer needs. 
• Creating joint success plans that foster accountability and shared achievements. 

The Road Ahead: An Industry Unified Behind Opportunity

As the corporate housing industry continues to evolve, collaboration will remain the driving force behind scalable and sustainable growth. The “Elevating Partnerships and Expanding Opportunities” session at CHPA CONNECT 2025 reinforced the importance of our ecosystem working together to identify and resolve challenges, embrace and shared best practices in technology and operating efficiencies, and provide unparalleled customer experiences. 

Dwellworks Living knows that our success is built on understanding our clients and connecting their service needs to the industry’s most responsive and innovative partner network. If you’re looking to strengthen your corporate housing partnerships, we invite you as a partner or a prospective client to connect with us and be part of this future-forward conversation. 

Let’s work together to shape the future of corporate housing! 

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