Planning for the 10th annual event was already underway during the successful ninth annual conference, which was held last March in St. Louis.

Conference planners, led by conference committee chair Joanne Theunissen of Howling Hammer Builders in Mount Pleasant, Mich., are lining up the educational sessions in preparation for the mailing of the first conference brochure in November. 

Each year, the conference expands its educational offerings, list of speakers, and exhibit hall. Attendence at the St. Louis event broke all previous records as nearly 1,100 builders, developers, architects and suppliers took in the show.  This year, planners are hoping to almost double that figure.

New this year — expansion of the remodelers and land developers track and a new track called "Local Change" specializing in administrative, policy and legislative issues for HBAs.

And attendees who arrive early can participate in a community service activity benefiting the residents of New Orleans whose homes were destroyed or damaged two years ago as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Details on that activity will be available soon.

Based on reviews of past conferences, attendees also want more networking opportunities, said Green Building Program Manager Emily English. So conference planners are making room. "We want to set up a lot of time for members to interact with members and learn from each other," she said.

The gala National Green Building Awards will again take place the night before the conference starts, and entry forms for the awards program will be available on the NAHB Web site in mid-September.