2026 CCHRCO Commissioners Conference

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! 

Online registration closes April 1st, 2026. 

NOTE: You can register online even if you are paying by check. Simply select the pay by check option.

2026 CCHRCO Commissioners Conference: Boots on the Ground, Eyes on the Future
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29572
April 17-19, 2026

Registration Includes:

• One (1) ticket for Friday Night Dinner
• One (1) ticket for Saturday Lunch

For a spouse/guest to attend the dinner or lunch, the spouse/guest registration fee must be paid. Spouses/guests will not be permitted to attend the Friday Night Dinner or Saturday Lunch without a paid spouse/guest registration.

Drinks are complimentary at the Hotel Manager's Reception each evening.

Hotel Information

NOTE: Once you register online (either by credit card or check), your registration confirmation email will include the hotel link & codes. Hotel rooms are available to registered attendees only.

Embassy Suites by Hilton at Kingston Plantation
9800 Queensway Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Conference Dates: April 17-19, 2026
General Information: 1-843-449-0006
Website: www.kingstonplantation.com

Last Day to Book Hotel: Monday, March 16, 2026

Check-In Time: 4:00 PM
Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM

Room Rates (Per Night)

• Embassy Suites Hotel - $249.00
• One-Bedroom Brighton - $203.00
• One-Bedroom Plantation Villa - $203.00
• Two-Bedroom Plantation Villa - $289.00
• Two-Bedroom Brighton Condo - $352.00
• Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Condo (Margate) - $413.00
• Three-Bedroom Oceanview Condo (Brighton) - $443.00
• Three-Bedroom Oceanview Condo (Margate) - $446.00
  

Resort fees and taxes will be added to all room rates.

Track Information

TRACK #1
Back to Basics: Strengthening Core Responsibilities of Commissioners
Finding, Hiring, and Evaluating Your Next Leader
Presenter: Simone Gans Barefield, Gans Gans & Associates

Session Focus:

• Executive Recruitment - What Type of Leader?
  Strategies for identifying, attracting, and selecting the right leader to sustain and advance your agency's mission.
• Compensation and Incentives - How Much Should You Pay?
  Best practices for establishing competitive compensation packages and performance-based incentives.
• Evaluating Your Leader - When and How?
  Developing clear performance expectations, aligning organizational goals, and implementing effective evaluation methods and timelines.

TRACK #2
Eyes on the Future: Vision-Driven Governance and Strategic Foresight
Commissioners Fundamentals
Presenter: Bobby Collins, NAHRO

Learn how to be a more effective Commissioner while respecting the boundaries between the Board and the Executive Director. This interactive session strengthens understanding of the Commissioner's role in policy and oversight, while deepening knowledge of PHA finances, operations, housing development, board relations, ethics, and advocacy.

Learning is reinforced through engaging activities, group interaction, and friendly competition.
(All-day course on Saturday and Sunday)

TRACK #3
Law on the Ground: Legal Realities Every Commissioner Must Know
Governance in Action: Legal Issues Facing Commissioners Today
Presenters: Susan Campbell & Henry Hilston, Blanco Tackabery

This session provides a legal overview of key issues affecting housing authorities that are intentionally non-state specific, including:

• Public housing history
• RAD fundamentals
• Nonprofit governance basics
• General principles of open meetings and open records
• Policy development and compliance considerations
• Fair Housing
• Landlord Tenant Law

TRACK #4
Leading from Where You Stand: Accountability in Action
Change Is Hard at First, Messy in the Middle, but Rewarding in the End
Presenter: Mark Smith, The Process

This message encourages Commissioners to look inward and reflect on accountability, leadership, and service. While not focused exclusively on 2026 housing challenges, the session challenges participants to ask critical questions:

• Are we doing all we can for the populations we serve?
• Are we fully utilizing available resources?
• Are we pushing ourselves to do more?

The presentation is customized through research on the organization's mission and goals and is delivered in an engaging, interactive style that encourages participant involvement and dialogue.

TRACK #5 - Sunday Morning
Boots on the Ground Leadership: Real-World Tools for Today's Challenges
Format: Interactive Roundtable Discussion

This session brings together industry professionals-including Executive Directors, developers, and housing leaders-to share real-world experiences and practical strategies related to:

• Creative funding approaches
• New development and redevelopment
• Grants and alternative financing
• Navigating complex housing challenges

Participants will engage in open discussion, examples from the field, and Q&A.

Agenda: 

• Friday, April 17, 2026
  
  
  • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Registration - Somerset Room
    
    
  • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    Complimentary Hotel Manager's Reception - Coastal Grill Bar
    Room key required. Attendees staying on Kingston Plantation outside the Embassy Suites must be registered under the Carolinas Council Commissioners Group.
    
    
  • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Dinner & Entertainment - Seaside Vista
    Ticket required | One drink ticket provided
    Theme: Denim & Boots - Come dressed in your favorite "western" attire.
    
    
• Saturday, April 18, 2026
  
  
  • 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Complimentary Breakfast Buffet - Coastal Grill
    Room key required.
    
    
  • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
    Registration - Somerset Room
    
    
  • 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
    Concurrent Sessions:
    
    
    • Track #1 - Kensington EF Finding, Hiring, and Evaluating Your Next Leader
    • Track #2 - Kensington BC Commissioners Fundamentals
    • Track #3 - Kensington A Governance in Action: Legal Issues Facing Commissioners Today
      
      
  • 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
    Break - Westminster Hall
    
    
  • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Continuation of Morning Tracks
    
    
  • 11:45 AM - 1:45 PM
    Lunch & Recognitions - Kensington G
    
    • Welcome, Grace & Opening Remarks
    • Motivational Message - Mark Smith
    • Lunch Service
    • Recognition of Commissioners
    • 2026 NC & SC Commissioner of the Year Award Presentations
    • CCHRCO Updates
    • Closing Remarks / Transition to Afternoon Sessions
      
      
  • 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
    Concurrent Sessions:
    
    
    • Track #1 - Finding, Hiring, and Evaluating Your Next Leader (Repeat) - Kensington EF
    • Track #2 - Commissioner Fundamentals (All-Day Course) - Kensington BC
    • Track #3 - Governance in Action: Legal Issues Facing Commissioners Today (Repeat) - Kensington A
    • Track #4 - Change Is Hard at First, Messy in the Middle, but Rewarding in the End - Winchester
      
      
  • 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
    Break - Westminster Hall
    
    
  • 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
    Continuation of Afternoon Tracks
    
    
  • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    Complimentary Hotel Manager's Reception - Coastal Grill Bar
    Room key required.
    
    
• Sunday, April 19, 2026
  
  
  • 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Complimentary Breakfast Buffet - Coastal Grill
    Room key required.
    
    
  • 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Concurrent Sessions:
    
    
    • Track #2 - Commissioner Fundamentals (Continuation) - Kensington BC
    • Track #5 - Boots on the Ground Leadership - Kensington EF

Refund Policy:
All requests for refunds must be in writing and should be mailed, faxed, or emailed to Janice Fowler at Greer Housing Authority within the required timeline.

Any request for refunds received prior to April 1, 2026, will be honored less a $50.00 Service Fee.

Refunds will NOT be considered after April 1, 2026.

Should you have additional questions, please contact:

Janice Fowler, Greer Housing Authority
864.877.5471 ext. 4
jfowler@greerha.com 

Jane Knox, Greer Housing Authority
864.877.5471 ext. 1
jknox@greerha.com

To register for the 2026 CCHRCO Commissioners Conference, please click the register button below.

Please complete a separate registration form for each attendee.