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Technology Trends, How to Profit From Technology at IBS
 Industry professionals can learn about the top 10 “must have” technology trends, structured wiring, how to profit from new technology and how to appeal to today’s tech-savvy home buyers at five educational sessions at nextBUILD™ — the home building technologies component of the 2008 International Builders' Show (IBS) in Orlando next month.
The following is a preview of several sessions at nextBUILD™:
Wednesday, Feb. 13
- “Future of Home Automation”
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, West 304 A-D
This session addresses the landscape of today's home security and automation market and outlines the trends impacting the industry and the systems and services that will control homes of the future — from heating and air conditioning to lighting to security all in one.
Thursday, Feb. 14
- “The Top 10 ‘Must Have’ Technology Trends for Homes”
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Orange County Convention Center, South 330 A-D
With home buyers rapidly increasing their expectations and knowledge of home technology, this course will highlight the top 10 technology "must haves" to give home builders and other industry professionals a better understanding of the impact of these trends on the industry.
Friday, Feb. 15
- “Home Technology: So many options, so much smoke and mirrors...what should you be standardizing on, offering as an upgrade, keeping an eye on and staying away from?”
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, South 304 A-D
The answer to the session’s question is definitely not "do nothing" — and it is absolutely not "do everything." The answer is somewhere in between. The session provides examples of best practices from successful builders around the country who have implemented home technologies. Learn how, why and what they have incorporated in their homes.
- “The Fully Integrated Home”
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center, West 311 E-H
This session will explore the current and future applications of home systems, with a focus on the process required for successful presentation and implementation. CEDIA ― the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association, an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home, and an NAHB partner in the Home Technology Alliance (HTA) to raise industry knowledge about technology trends and opportunities — will provide a non-biased practical view of incorporating technology into home building.
Saturday, Feb. 16
- “The Custom Builder and Home Technology (101)”
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Orange County Convention Center, West 304 A-D
This hands-on course will help industry professionals develop a comfort level with home technology, dispel some of the fears and myths associated with home technology, learn basic home technology options, recognize home technology and increase profits.
The HTA is committed to improving work processes and trade relationships to increase residential profit margins and customer service and providing information and education on home technology to the housing industry.
For more information, e-mail Germaine Palangdao at NAHB, call her at 800-368-5242 x8498 or visit www.nahb.org/hta.
 CEDIA: A Source for Experienced ESCs
The Home Technology Alliance (HTA), a partnership between NAHB and the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA), was created to meet the growing consumer demand for home technology.
CEDIA, a founding sponsor, is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs).
For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here.
 NAHB Has Nearly 300 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably
Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages (available to members only) for instant access to nearly 300 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more.
Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources.
Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed.
 Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown
What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn.
To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here.
To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar.
For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242.
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