Masonry Magazine March 2007 Page. 61
News
Local, State & Regional
# Chicago
Midwest Builders Show and Conference® Educational Line Up Features New "Survival Guide"
The fifth annual Midwest Builders Show® and Conference is offering a timely new "Survival Guide" track for its 2007 show, "The Future is What You Make It." The new track features sessions on several critical issues facing builders in a cooling market: understanding green building, moving existing inventory, providing superior customer service and managing change in a professional environment.
Produced by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago (HBAGC), the conference will be held March 21-22, 2007, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The event brings together builders, developers, suppliers and distributors to demonstrate innovation, and to exchange ideas and information.
In addition to keynote addresses by Gianluigi Longinotti-Buitoni, former president and COO of Polo Europe, who will discuss the concept of DreamMarketing and futurist author Glen Hiemstra, the conference will feature more than 40 sessions in the areas of sales and marketing, product design and merchandising, business strategy and leadership, technology, customer service, land development, construction and a specific track pertinent to the small builder/remodelor. The popular Super Sales Rally featuring Frank Bucaro makes a return appearance for 2007 as well.
"The Midwest Builders Show and Conference is excited to offer our new Survival Guide for 2007," said Madge Douglas, vice president of exposition and conference operations for HBAGC. "These are the issues our members indicate are top of mind for today and into the future." The Survival Guide sessions include the following:
Green Building-The market for environmentally sustainable homes is on the rise. In his presentation, Steve Easley, president of Building Media Inc., will explain the various choices in building materials, finishes and structures available to improve energy efficiency, as well as air and water quality. "Green building can boost your bottom line if you know how to streamline your design and construction to get the payback, and notice, you need," says Easley.
Moving Inventory-In "How to Move Stalled Inventory," Tom Richey of Richey Resources, Inc., will provide practical methods to help builders sell out their unsold homes and get a heads up on selling new starts. "This proven program is being used by large and small builders to keep sales ahead of construction in this challenging market," says Richey.
MCAA Welcomes New Members of Congress
Jessica Johnson Bennett
Director of Government Affairs,
Mason Contractors Association of America
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, MCAA co-hosted the first ever "Construction Industry" Bi-partisan Meet and Greet for new Members of Congress. The idea of a meet and greet is a common practice in Washington, D.C., during the first days of a new Congress, many industries host these events throughout the month of January, however, most are specific to either Democrats or Republicans.
MCAA was instrumental in organizing this unique, bi-partisan event at which more than 15 Members of Congress and staff were in attendance, both Democrats and Republicans. Members of Congress were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with representatives of our industry to discuss issues important to our members. The members were excited to hear that MCAA will be hosting its Annual Legislative Convention in May and requested that we have constituents stop by to visit their offices.
Members of Congress in attendance included:
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA 10)
Rep. David Davis (R-TN 1)
Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI8)
Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ 5)
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA 8)
Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC11)
Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ 13)
Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE 3)
Rep. Zack Space (D-OH 18)
Rep. Tim Walberg (D-MI 7)
Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH 6)
Staff-Mazie Hirono (D-HI 02)
Staff-Peter Roskam (R-IL. 06)
Staff-Betty Sutton (D-OH 13)
Co-hosts included the Associated General Contractors of America, the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National Association of Home Builders, the National Electrical Contractors Association, and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association.