76 million Generation Yer's change the face of the 2 trillion dollar housing industry ...

Despite the current woes in the US housing market, there are still thriving sectors that are showing positive strong growth for the future.

In this piece, we take a glimpse at the inside of the US apartment industry. We examine the evolving culture of an industry that is at the threshold of a new digital and generational revolution

The Multifamily housing or apartment industry is big business, valued at over 2 trillion dollars and employing approximately 700,000 people nation wide, including but not limited to; property managers, maintenance, cleaning and leasing professionals.

The Apartment Association of Metro Denver (AAMD) annual trade show is one example of what is taking place around the country in the apartment industry today.

Industry leaders come together to educate, collaborate and plan the path of tomorrow. Thousands of attendees and hundreds of suppliers meet 1 day a year to highlight the latest and greatest trends in the apartment industry.

What we found especially interesting is the increased focus on the approximately 76 million "Eco Boomers" or "Generation Yer's" now entering a new phase of their lives by exercising their independence in living on their own. With numbers eclipsing their parent's generation, the "Baby Boomers", the industry is eager to provide and adapt to their new clientèle's wants and needs.

Due to their enormous group size and seamless integration of digital media usage, the industry is not only looking to this new generation as customers but also, as employees and future leaders. Strategic partnerships with Colleges and Universities are being sought to help establish the apartment industry as a viable and rewarding career path of tomorrow.

This new generation has grown up in a digital world and will increasingly expect to have the convenience, speed and accessibility of that in which they have grown accustom. The apartment industry as a whole is starting to recognize that to attract and maintain relationships with this generation; the use of digital social media is an absolute necessity to prosper in the 21st century.

This tech savvy group of Gen Yer's is not knocking on the front door, but rather, they are kicking it down 76 million strong and the US apartment industry is taking notice.