Last month, members across the federation met up in Portland for NAHB’s Annual 2018 Mid-Year Meeting.
Asheville was well represented by local members including Judy Dinelle of 84 Lumber, Brandon Bryant of Red Tree Builders, Thomas McClain of Home Sweet Home Land Management, Laura Sullivan of ID.ology Interior Design, and Sean Sullivan of Living Stone Construction, LLC. These five members proudly serve as National Directors on the National Association of Home Builders Board of Directors.
Throughout the week, members address a multitude of residential building topics through dedicated committees and councils with a goal to advance the mission and best serve members nationwide, tackle industry issues, identify new opportunities and much more. Just to name a few, committees include Custom Builders, Green Building, Building Information and Technology, Remodeling, Education, Government Affairs and more. Most recently, nationwide taskforce groups across the NAHB federation have been newly formed to identify current and future strategies to support Workforce Development initiatives as well research and explore Association Health Plans.
Following a Regional Area Caucus which includes North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia members (Area 4), the week in Portland wrapped up with NAHB’s Board of Directors Meeting under the direction of NAHB Senior Officers. Lumber Tariffs remain high on the priority list as Randy Noel, NAHB Chairman of the Board, engaged all directors to share this message: Negotiate Now. Thomas McClain reported back that since the beginning of 2017, lumber prices have peaked at 60% but due to ongoing efforts by NAHB they have dropped close to 40% and NAHB will continue to its work to lower that even more.
Brandon Bryant, AHBA 2018 President and Co-Chair of AHBA’s own Workforce Development Committee, took part in NAHB’s request to share back what our local efforts are to address the labor shortages and promote careers in construction. NAHB is taking this approach to scan what is working at the local level to help lead the way nationwide. One coalition effort known as “We are Generation T” was shared as resource to promote the trades and construction careers – for a brief video and more, visit https://www.wearegenerationt.com.
Take note of these upcoming educational opportunities offered by NAHB:
- NAHB’s 2018 Building Systems Housing Summit, September 30 – October 2 in Knoxville TN.
- Registration opens for all members on September 4 for the 2019 International Builders Show (IBS) returning to Las Vegas, February 19-21. Stay tuned to all details here.
- NAHB’s E-Learning Series is offering 3 live online courses this fall on Tuesday’s from 1 to 3pm:Sep 11. 18, 25 Marketing and Sales for Building ProfessionalsOct 2, 9, 16 Principles of Residential Marketing: Research and AnalysisNov 6, 13, 20 Principles of Residential Marketing: Strategy and Implementation. Click Here for E-Learning Details and Registration