2025’s Annual Installation & Legislator Breakfast: A Morning of Leadership, Clarity, and Views
The event wasn’t just about breakfast...it was a call for action and involvement.
Over 150 members, local and state leaders, and invited guests filled the Los Angeles Hilton Hotel in Culver City on December 4th for the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles’ Annual Board of Directors Installation and Legislator Breakfast. The room was alive and full of energy from the moment registration opened. Conversations picked up quickly, people reconnected, and the photos below capture just how fully members leaned into the morning together. “The upcoming 2026 year matters.”
In addition to installing the Association’s 2026 slate of Board of Directors, members celebrated the return of Board of Directors’ President, Matthew Williams, who agreed to take on this vital role for the second year in a row. Board President Williams made many motivational remarks and encouraged attendees to become involved in advocacy and the legislative process at both the state and local levels. Williams predicted that the upcoming year would be one of the most challenging legislative climates we’ve ever seen.
Local elected officials from the City and County of Los Angeles, and state representatives from the Senate and Assembly spoke about economic and housing issues faced by all Californians. The speakers, representing both major political parties, came ready to engage and responded to pointed audience questioning.
Speakers just didn’t make speeches...
- they took time and answered questions
- discussed the process of creating new laws
- and the many challenges foreseen for 2026 and beyond.
Members were encouraged by the speakers to stay involved and to be vocal, as State and local rental housing regulations have continued to quickly evolve. Members and other attendees were reminded that strong policy is built through participation, and not by sitting on the sidelines.
Guest speakers included:
- Kate Bell, Kate Bell Strategies (State Lobbyist)
- Senator Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh (Senate District 19)
- Senator Anna Caballero (Senate District 14)
- Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (Assembly District 69)
- Los Angeles City Councilmember John Lee (L.A. City Council District 12)
- Assessor Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor
- Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez (Los Angeles Council District 7)
- Rob Lapsley, President, California Business Roundtable (Keynote Speaker)
The message threaded throughout every discussion was simple: civic engagement is not optional for rental housing providers…its survival. Or as Board of Directors President Matt Williams succinctly put it:
“In Los Angeles, landlords collect seven hundred million dollars in rents every month. It’s time to use our voices and speak out.”
The figure hung in the air. Members nodded. The point landed.
Key themes that were pervasive throughout the morning event included:
- Show up and speak at local City Council and County Board of Supervisors meetings
- Follow the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles’ Advocacy alerts for timely updates on the quickly evolving legislative landscape.
- Contact your local and state representatives directly and express your views—your voice matters in the decision-making process.
- Support the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles’ Political Action Committees (PACs) and Legal Fund that are funding efforts to protect member investments in rental housing by helping to eliminate harmful regulations and elect balanced, business-minded political candidates that are sympathetic to the needs of rental housing providers
- Personal stories matter… share your real-world stories so legislators fully understand the impact of housing policies and their unintended consequences.
The morning’s event was underwritten in part by our generous sponsors.
Our sponsors made this event possible, and their support reflects a shared commitment to bolstering our efforts to support rental housing providers. The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles would like to thank our sponsors:
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The support of our sponsors helps us continue delivering the highest levels of education, advocacy, and operational support to our members.
2026 and Beyond
As we move into 2026, we encourage every member to stay engaged. Legislators are listening. The public is paying attention, and the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles stands ready to ensure our collective voices remain strong, and our members remain vigilant, informed, and heard by policy makers.
This year’s event should remind us all that the rental housing business has always been and will always be part of California’s economic backbone. Now, more than ever, owners and operators must stand together, stay informed, and step forward. This event delivered a powerful morning—and only the beginning of what we can accomplish together to improve the situation we find ourselves in.
Guests, Speakers, and Audience Q&A – A Full Room Engaged
More Speakers, Q&A Moments, Board President, Sponsors and Venue Highlights
Additional Speakers, Audience Interaction, and Q&A Discussions
Networking, Sponsors, and Member Connections
