April 22 2025

Major AI announcements—Sierra-powered chat goes live, resident AI launches, Insights call-scoring now free—paired with thought leadership from Ryan Holiday, Nicholas Thompson, Clay Bavor, and entertainment by Micah and friends of Iration and Aaron Weber

APRIL 23, 2025, TAMPA, FL Funnel, the only proven AI-infused multifamily CRM, concluded its annual industry conference for believers in a better operating model, Forum, with major product announcements, valuable presentations, and world-class entertainment. 

Forum welcomed 139 senior executives from 60 leading property management companies—representing 2.4 million units and 12% of all professionally managed apartments in the U.S.—for three days of candid conversations to drive the industry forward. 

Feedback is already pouring in:

  • “Funnel created a space for real innovation [by] bringing together operators, technologists, and industry leaders who are committed to challenging the status quo,” said Sean Davis, Director of Property Management, The Lund companies. “Their work is pushing the industry forward—not just through technology, but through a deeper understanding of how modern operating models can drive better results for everyone involved. Being part of that conversation was energizing and forward-looking in all the right ways.” 
  • “It was amazing! The best conference I’ve had the pleasure of attending in ages (or ever, really),” said Sarah Phillips, Marketing Assistant, Arlington Properties, Inc. 

World-class entertainment and thought leadership

In only its second year, the Forum line-up included an impressive list of entertainers and thought leaders. This allowed attendees to unwind, connect, and remind them that the future is brighter when we build it together. Attendees experienced:

  • Fireside chat with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, on the future of tech, and AI
  • Exclusive executive interview with Clay Bavor, co-founder of Sierra and former head of Google Labs
  • Keynote from modern stoic and bestselling author Ryan Holiday
  • Private concert with Micah and friends of Iration, a reggae-fusion band
  • Stand-up set by comedian Aaron Weber, who was recently on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Forum built upon the momentum established last year

In a notoriously fragmented industry, Forum is a unique event that brings together the brightest minds in multifamily to up-level their operations, team, and renter experience making it one of the most valuable conferences in multifamily.

  • 2.4 million units represented
  • 12% of all professionally managed apartments in the U.S.
  • 139 attendees – a 40% increase over last year
  • 37 companies, including 4 of the NMHC Top 5 owners and 8 of the Top 20 managers

Product announcements

After years of creating a centralization movement within the multifamily industry, Funnel shared their immediate next steps to go all-in on AI.

“At Funnel, we believe the future isn’t just AI—it’s humans plus AI, working together to deliver better outcomes for renters and teams alike,” said Tyler Christiansen, CEO, Funnel. “The tools we announced at Forum are just the beginning of our journey to make that future a reality.”

  • Exclusive Sierra-powered chat functionality goes live for all CRM customers
  • Call summaries and generative AI recommendations are now included in the core CRM offering, rather than add-ons
  • Insights, call scoring and renter behavior tool is free for all customers
  • Resident AI released

Recap photos, video and podcast

Photos from this year’s Forum are available here, and a recap video is here. A recap Multifamily Unpacked podcast episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Save the date

Next year’s Forum will be held March 23-26, 2026. Save the date now and enter your email here to be first to learn about the details. 

About Funnel

Funnel provides a win to three vital groups: operators looking to reduce costs and improve efficiencies; stretched-thin onsite teams who demand a better long-term career; and renters who demand a better customer experience. Funnel’s proven AI-infused CRM is the enterprise-grade solution industry leaders, owners, and operators trust to deliver a streamlined, consistent, and connected experience from first inquiry through years of renewals, while simultaneously saving operators quantifiable money through the operational flexibility only a renter-centric® platform can provide. We call it Renter Management Software; our clients call it the new operating model.

Media Contact:

Funnel 

Hannah O’Leary

Sr. Manager Corporate Communications

hannah.oleary@funnelleasing.com