Education Conference

The award-winning Sunbelt Builders Show™ is proud to continue to offer its attendees the best education available.  The Education Conference is also a great value at the early bird* price of $295 for all three days.  (*After Oct. 27, 2009, the conference is $395.)

Below is a listing of the session topics and presenters.  Click on the presenter’s name to read their biography.  For a list of sessions by track Click here.

 Thursday, October 29
  8 - 9:30 a.m.
                                                                              
“Partnering with a Residential Electronics Systems Contractor"
Lauritzen Handout
As with other rough-in trades (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), electronic systems should be planned for well in advance of construction and documented at the construction drawing phase of design.  Participants in this course will discuss the roles, responsibilities, and functions of an Electronic Systems Contractor (ESC) and examine the myriad of residential electronic systems that ESCs touch.   Attendees will look at how design considerations, such as space allocation, framing, electrical, and ventilation, are affected by the implementation of technology in the home.  Additionally, this course will help attendees identify the proper ESC for their project by providing them in-depth information related to interviewing potential ESC partners and establishing a comprehensive project agreement.
Presenter: Seth Lauritzen, Registered Outreach Instructor, Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA); Director of Marketing, Dallas Sight and Sound
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Cutting Edge Trends, Sales & Marketing
     
    “Geotechnical Risk – What a Typical Soil Report Doesn’t Tell You”
Many builders know that building homes on expansive soils carries the risk of post-construction foundation problems.  Addressing these problems can be very costly, not only in terms of actual repair costs, but also in terms of unhappy customers and negative publicity.  Typical soil reports provide parameters for design that are related only to the expansive nature of the soil and the climate.  These reports typically do not address factors other than climate that affect how the soil-supported foundation will behave.  Learn what these factors are as well as how they can be identified and addressed before construction.
Presenter: John T. Bryant, Ph.D., P.G., P.E., President, Bryant Consultants, Inc.
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Building Science, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction
     
    “Overview and Discussion of EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting Regulation”
This session will include a background discussion and an overview of the requirements of EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting Regulation that becomes fully effective in April of 2010. The regulation requires firms whose work involves the disturbance of lead-based paint to be certified, for their employees to be trained, and for specific work practices to be followed to minimize the creation of lead hazards resulting from the work.   This class is a must for anyone involved in the remodeling industry!
Presenter: Michael Wilson, Environmental Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency
Tracks: Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Remodeler’s Corner
     
  9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
   
“The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and its Effect on the Construction Industry”
Lee Handout
Who says you can’t get a break these days?  ARRA includes key provisions that impact individuals and small businesses. Come and find out about some of the tax incentives and tax benefits that are available for small businesses and individuals as a result of the new economic recovery legislation. ARRA may give you the break you are looking for!
Presenter: Evelyn Dyson Lee, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service
Tracks: Business Strategy
     
    “Beyond Trends: Great Kitchen and Bath Design for the Real Home Buyer”
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most important rooms to today’s real home buyers – women.  Learn what appeals to women today from the best in the design business at this information packed session.  Not only will you hear what the current trends are, but you’ll learn what is timeless in kitchen and bath design and construction.
Presenter: Elizabeth Falconer, MIRM, Position By Design
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Customer Satisfaction, Cutting Edge Trends, Remodeler’s Corner, Sales & Marketing
     
   
“Understanding Margin and Markup: Key Words to Success”
Shaw Handout
Builders and remodelers tend to focus strongly on the construction side of business.   Financial management is overwhelming, complicated and pushed aside.   Basic principles such as margin and markup can easily be misunderstood and misapplied – and the results can be costly. This seminar will focus on the definitions, differences and applications of margin and markup and will teach why this focus is critical to success.
Presenter: Bill Shaw, William Shaw & Associates
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations
     
  11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
   
“Risk Management and Insurance Basics for Building Professionals”
Berley Handout
Risk is a part of everyday life. Most people do not recognize that the decision they are making is the process of weighing a risk. Learn how to recognize risks in your business affairs and effectively manage those risks by implementing the appropriate techniques.   The seminar will offer insight into risk management strategies and programs as well as insurance basics and types of insurance coverages builders need.
Presenter: Kaycie Berley, CBC, VP Association Relations, Hotchkiss Insurance Agency, LLC
Tracks: Business Strategy
     
   
“The Austin Report: How the 81st Texas Legislative Session Impacts the Residential Construction Industry.”
Cauduro Handout
During the recently completed legislative session, the Texas Legislature considered over 7,000 bills. More than 1,100 of these were somehow related to the residential development and construction industry. The bills that ultimately passed touch all aspects of the industry from new disclosure statements and energy efficiency requirements to homeowners association rules and water harvesting. This seminar will outline the new laws passed that affect your business to help keep you in compliance with Texas law and away from unintended mishaps.
Presenter: Paul Cauduro, Director of Codes, Standards and Local Advocacy, Texas Association of Builders
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Cutting Edge Trends, Green & Sustainable Building, Healthy & High Performance Homes
     
   
“The Nuts & Bolts of Real Green Building”
Pfeiffer Handout
This presentation addresses what “green” or “high performance” building is really about – not the mainstream media rhetoric. In these serious economic times, one approach to success is offering pragmatic, affordable and “buildable” green building expertise. Learn how to design and build high performance homes and small commercial buildings that are: healthier and more comfortable; less expensive to own, operate and maintain; and, about those that tread more lightly on the environment. Well thought-out planning decisions yield the best return on your investment – especially when it comes to implementing green building strategies.
Presenter: Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, Inc.
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Building Science, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Cutting Edge Trends, Green & Sustainable Building, Healthy & High Performance Homes, Sales & Marketing
     
Friday, October 30
  8:30 - 10 a.m.
    “To Spec or Not to Spec: The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.”
Is building a “spec house” right for you? What are the rewards and extreme risks of daring to embark on the adventure of building a home that is not sold? Will you make lots of money? Will this home propel your business to the next level? Will this spec house sit unsold, keep you up at night and dash your hopes for success? Get a fresh perspective on whether building a spec is right for you from an experienced home builder who builds unsold houses as a significant part of his day-to-day business.
Presenter: Jim Frankel, GMB, President, Frankel Building Group
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Sales & Marketing
     
    “Best Practices: Field Staff and Subcontractor Management”
We don’t plan to fail, but because we fail to plan – we fail. Field staff and subcontractors want to do a good job but may lack the ability or knowledge to execute the plan.  In this session you’ll learn to: Plan away costly and wasteful errors; do a better job of dealing with different personalities; and, properly equip and monitor field personnel and subcontractors.  Learn new approaches to recurring problems – best practice job management tools and techniques that can be used to create winning situations for everyone.
Presenter: Roger Casey, CEO, Burgess Construction Consultants, Inc.
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations
     
    “Build It, Brand It, Sell It”
With a growing awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency, consumers are quickly driving the newest construction market toward increasingly efficient homes. In this session, we will cover the benefits of a third-party verified designation, how to use industry allies to educate potential consumers about your product, and provide you with free resources that are available to brand and market your energy-efficient homes. Learn how to build and market to tomorrow’s consumers…they don’t just want energy efficiency, they demand it!
Presenters: Traci Synatschk, ICF International
          Courtney Owen, ICF International
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Cutting Edge Trends, Green & Sustainable Building, Sales & Marketing
     
  8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
   
“Green is Mainstream: Building Codes, Energy Efficiency and Best Practices in Green Building”
Bastani & Fernandez-Solis Handout
This workshop will educate the residential construction community on changes to the Texas Building Code and Energy Performance Standards that will take effect on September 1, 2009, and will include general information on the national green building program certifications available to residential construction as well as best practices for installation of energy efficient products.
Presenter: Fred H. Bastani, Ph.D., President, International Polytechnic Institute, Inc.
           Jose L. Fernandez-Solis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Construction Science, Texas A&M University
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Building Science, Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Green & Sustainable Building, Healthy & High Performance Homes
     
  10:15 - 11:45 a.m.
   
“Survival of the Fittest: Lessons Learned”
Freedland & Koehn Handout
History can be a powerful teacher and provide enormous opportunities.   Every economy and cycle provides windows. Understanding which ones to open is the secret.   Learn how the best have captured these moments and forged forward when others have burrowed in the sand. Discover how these believers have created momentum, seizing unique market opportunities. Learn how to become one of the best in radically changing times.
Presenters: Martin Freedland, The Berke Group
           Beverly Koehn, Beverly Koehn & Associates, Inc.
Tracks: Business Strategy, Cutting Edge Trends, Sales & Marketing
     
    “Browsers to Buyers: Proven Strategies for Selling New Homes Online”
Are you looking for a competitive edge in a challenging market? Whether you have a commanding internet presence or you are stuck in the digital dark ages, learn proven methods that are necessary to develop or improve your online new home sales. This powerful seminar will provide an easy-to-follow roadmap leading to a successful online sales program that will help you attract and capture more qualified buyers. Learn the trade secrets that promise to explode your online sales and convert more of your browsers into buyers!
Presenter: Mike Lyon
Tracks: Business Strategy, Sales & Marketing, Technology & Web Based Learning
     
  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
    “Sales Excellence for Small Volume Builders & Remodelers”
Thousands of small volume builders, custom builders and remodelers sell their own jobs yet have never had any formal sales training. This puts them at a disadvantage when selling against competitors who have had sales training and at a significant disadvantage with their potential customer. Learn how easy it is to become a masterful sales person.
Presenter: Mike Benshoof, SMA Consulting
Tracks: Business Strategy, Sales & Marketing
     
   
“Affordable Green Design Concepts: Creating Value Effectively”
Copenhaver Handout
Builders, communities and buyers are recognizing the importance and value of going green, but many factors are keeping builders from the green market. Cost implications, design strategies and perceived value in the marketplace are all question marks for the production home builder. Product choices and design solutions each play a role in creating value in a green community – knowing the right ones to implement is key. This session will review the latest in green building design strategies – how to incorporate it in homes and communities and how to evaluate the value of green to buyers.
Presenter: Dave Copenhaver, AIA, BSB Design
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Green & Sustainable Building, Sales & Marketing
     
   
“TAB’s Texas Residential Construction Contracts Package Workshop”
Bush & Rudnicki Handout
The Texas Association of Builders’ (TAB) Contracts Package was prepared by a TAB committee for use by its members. The contracts and other forms are intended to encompass a variety of transactions that are typical in the field of residential construction and remodeling in the State of Texas. The residential construction industry is subject to a variety of laws concerning contract formation, disclosure of information, creation of liens to enforce payment obligations and similar matters. This class will take you through the dozens of standardized contracts that TAB has prepared and included in this subscription package.
Presenter: Robert L. Russell Bush, The Bush Firm, P.C.
           James W. Rudnicki, The Bush Firm, P.C.
Tracks: Business Strategy
     
Saturday, October 31
  10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
   
“Separating the Best from the Rest”
Hafer Handout
This presentation will shatter new home sales mythology. Research of hundreds of sales organizations demonstrates a huge disparity across sales performers. The top halves of sales organizations are responsible for nearly 75% of the sales. What happens to the neighborhoods where the bottom half of the sales teams “sit”?  Identifying top producers will make sales results more predictable. This seminar will demonstrate what it takes to hire and develop top salespeople.
Presenter: Bob Hafer, Robert E. Hafer & Associates LLC
Tracks: Business Strategy, Sales & Marketing
     
   
“Estimating for Builders and Remodelers”
Pullen Handout
Learn how to develop winning bids and use estimates as a powerful business management tool. This course addresses one of the toughest topics in building today – estimating. Discussion includes insurance and profit, quantity takeoff for various materials, labor and equipment productivity issues and subcontractor bid considerations. Leave with information you can use in your business the very next day.
Presenter: Joe Pullen, Home Builder Consulting Services;
         Shinn Consulting/Lee Evans Group
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction
This session is brought to you by the Railroad Commission of Texas and StrucSure Home Warranty
     
  11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
    “Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line”
This insider’s guide to residential green building leads you through the actual residential construction process and details how you can apply green building techniques that will benefit your business, your relationships with your customers, your reputation and your bottom line.  Matt shares his 30+ years of experience as a successful green builder to help you on your way to: Identifying and selecting green building materials; implementing green construction techniques; explaining the benefits of green housing to your customers; offering affordable green building solutions to your clients; creating healthier homes; and, marketing your environmentally sound practices.
Presenter: Matthew Belcher, Belcher Homes
Tracks: Architecture & Design, Building Science, Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Cutting Edge Trends, Green & Sustainable Building, Healthy & High Performance Homes, Sales & Marketing
     
     “The Rebirth of Operations: Adopting lean methods to survive a down market and prepare for the recovery.”
From 1991 through 2006, the U.S. home building industry experienced its “Golden Age.”   Except in the rare hot market, it will be years before we again see rapid appreciation of land value or brisk increases in the price of product. The largest collapse in the history of U.S. home building has left builders, suppliers and trade contractors scrambling for answers as they continue to lose customers and profit. Builders are doing the same things the way they have always done them – they are just trying harder. There’s a new strategy for builders, a Lean Process operating philosophy and practice that focuses on the relentless identification and removal of waste. Lean Methods have revolutionized industries from manufacturing to electronics to transportation to healthcare. It can revolutionize your business as well.
Presenter: Scott Sedam, President, TrueNorth Development, Inc.
Tracks: Business Strategy, Construction & Operations, Cutting Edge Trends, Sales & Marketing

 

  

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