Four days of meetings, discussions, dinners and special events pack the schedule of NAHB’s fall board meeting in Milwaukee Sept. 7-10 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center (the headquarters hotel) and the Frontier Airlines Center.

NAHB members are strongly encouraged to attend the meetings to learn about expected building code changes, understand how to diversify and strengthen their businesses and enjoy the fine foods and craft beers that have made this Midwestern city famous.

Special guests include Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who will meet with attendees at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, in Room 103 C at the Frontier Airlines Center. All NAHB members are invited.

Builders to Share Success Strategies

Returning to the fall meeting, a special panel session will feature builders who have successfully negotiated the downturn. They will be sharing advice and the lessons they have learned, including insights on strengthening a business and avoiding pitfalls.

Builder Focus: Proven Strategies for Success will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 4:30 p.m. at the Frontier Airlines Center, Room 101 C&D, first floor.

A follow-up to the successful spring board panel of the same name, four new builder panelists will share what strategies they are using to successfully sell homes, secure AD&C financing and gain the advantages they need to thrive in a down market.

The panelists will also share how they are positioning their companies for success as the industry emerges from the recession.

Click here (members only) to view excerpts from the spring board panel session, or click here to read a related story in the May 30 edition of Nation’s Building News.

NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen will moderate the session. The panelists include:

• Mike Dishberger, CEO, Sandcastle Homes and 2011 president of the Greater Houston Builders Association
• Keith Grant, co-owner, Keith and David Grant Homes LLC; Collierville, Tenn.
• David Main, owner, Creative Home Partners and 2010 president of the Masters Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties; Enumclaw, Wash.
• Sandra Steele, president and co-owner, Enfinger Steele Development; Huntsville, Ala.

The audience can ask questions following the presentations.

For more information, email NAHB Communications, or call Gwyn Donohue at 800-368-5242 x8447.

Harley-Davidson Museum Excursion Planned

The NAHB 50+ Housing Council will again be presenting the 50+ Night Out during the meeting. Sponsored by MetLife Home Loans, the event takes place on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Harley-Davidson Museum in downtown Milwaukee.

Located at 6th and Canal Streets, the 20-acre museum gives a nod to the industrial heritage of Harley-Davidson and its birthplace, Milwaukee, offering a glimpse of American history and culture through exhibits and events that celebrate the people, products, culture and history that have made the Harley-Davidson motorcycle the icon it is today.

Reception entertainment includes rides on the Harley-Davidson Museum jump start/demo simulator and a roaming temporary tattoo parlor. Shuttle bus transportation will run continuously between the museum and the Hilton throughout the evening.

Advance registrations must be received by Friday, Aug. 26. All registrations received after this date will be processed at the late/on-site registration rate of $45 per person.

Advance registration costs $25 for 50+ Council members and $35 for NAHB members.

For more information, email Lynn Basso at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8130.

Forum to Focus on ICC Code Process

Model code changes mandating fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes and increasing the energy efficiency requirements for all housing have raised growing industry concerns over the code development process of the International Code Council (ICC).

Association members will have an opportunity to discuss their concerns with the ICC leadership and NAHB’s Construction, Codes & Standards (CC&S) Committee during the "Building Codes — Future Strategies" forum on Friday, Sept. 9, from 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in conjunction with the CC&S Committee’s regularly scheduled meeting. 

 As a goal for 2011, the NAHB Senior Officers have asked the committee to review the association’s current policy and advocacy efforts in the codes and standards arena and provide recommendations on future strategies.

At the forum, the committee will discuss its draft recommendations on the future strategies NAHB should be pursuing, and it will be soliciting input from members.

The committee will also provide an update on the progress it has made to improve the ICC code development process.

Also participating in the forum, ICC President James L. Brothers will discuss how the ICC board is responding to concerns raised by NAHB and other industry representatives.

Following the discussions, all attendees will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions.

Brothers will also address the NAHB Executive Board and the Budget and Resolutions committees during their joint meeting on Saturday, Sept. 10, although time for discussion at this appearance will be limited.

For more information, email Ed Sutton at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8564.