Ron Cook of Tamko Building Products in Joplin, Mo., one of more than 1,100 exhibitors at this year's show, said he would call the mood of those attending one of “quiet optimism. It's certainly different than it was last year because we didn't quite know what we were in for," as the country was still in the midst of the biggest recession since the 1930s.

Association members lined up at the Partnership Pavilion, a new NAHB initiative on the show floor designed to match builders with financing sources. The program was launched to help serve an industry still stymied by a lack of available credit for new housing developments — as well as tighter restrictions on home buyer mortgages.

Builders and remodelers also attended educational presentations on design trends, energy retrofitting, marketing, low-income housing tax credits and more than 175 other topics.

"We came here to network," said Clint Wilson of Hybrid Core Homes in Santa Rosa, Calif. The show seemed livelier than last year's event, he said, although he and his colleagues were disappointed that The New American Home, the much-anticipated demonstration home that usually draws huge crowds, was unavailable for touring this year because of financing issues — a problem plaguing other builders throughout the industry.

A company manufacturing geothermal heating systems saw steady traffic at its booth, according to Steve Smith, managing partner at Enertech Manufacturing, LLC of Greenville, Ill., who said builders are particularly interested in learning more about the tax credits available for installing geothermal and other renewable energy heating and cooling systems.

"It's been a good, upbeat crowd," Smith said. "I think we all have a more positive attitude for 2010. I've already talked to our marketing folks about getting a bigger booth at next year's show."

The next International Builders' Show takes place Jan. 12-15 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Spring Board Schedule
This year Spring Board is back with the Legislative Conference. Join the PWB Council for meetings and congressional visits and a legislative luncheon. Meetings will primarily be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. April 17 - 24. Here is a detailed schedule:

Tuesday, April 20
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.                           Issues & Communications Committee Meeting
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.                           Membership Committee Meeting

Wednesday, April 21
All Day                                           Legislative Conference & Hill Visits

Thursday, April 22
10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.                NCBC Board of Trustees Meeting

Friday, April 23
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.                         Area Caucuses
10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.                Joint Exec, Budget & Resolutions Meeting (Working Lunch)
1:00 - 6:00 p.m.                           NAHB Board of Directors Meeting

Enter to Win a Pillars of the Industry Award
NAHB is seeking entries for its annual Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards competition — the multifamily housing industry's most coveted awards program recognizing excellence in apartment and condo development, design, marketing and management. Don't miss this opportunity to have your projects and teams honored among the multifamily industry's best!

All apartments and condos that became available for rent after January 1, 2007, as well as marketing activities pertaining to a condo or rental community, may be nominated for an entry. Winners in the "Builder" categories will become automatic nominations for NAHB Multifamily's top honor, "Best Multifamily Community of the Year."

To apply go to www.nahb.org/pillarsawards.

Due to increasing interest in the awards program, the winners will be announced in two segments simulcast over the Internet to reach a broader audience. Key dates:

• Online Applications Due: April 9
• Entry Submissions Due: April 23
• Finalists Announced: June 15
• Marketing Awards Presentation: Oct. 21
• Builder Awards Presentation: Dec. 7

To learn more about the NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards program or NAHB Multifamily go to www.nahb.org/pillarsawards or www.nahb.org/multifamily.

Education Scholarship Fund Created to Honor Joe Robson
Ken Klein, right, announced the creation of the National Housing Endowment scholarship fund honoring NAHB Immediate Past Chairman Joe Robson during the NAHB board of directors meeting in Las Vegas. Photo by Oscar Einzig.

In a surprise announcement during the recent NAHB Board of Directors meeting in Las Vegas that caught him completely off-guard, NAHB Immediate Past Chairman Joe Robson was presented with a gift for his service to the association and the home building industry by having an education scholarship fund established and named in his honor. 

During the board meeting, fellow Oklahoma builder Ken Klein, a National Housing Endowment trustee and NAHB Executive Board member, announced the creation of the National Housing Endowment/Robson Education Fund, which was established to encourage the best and brightest students to enter the residential construction management industry.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa spearheaded the creation of the fund along with other industry professionals who wanted to keep the fund a secret until the board meeting.

The National Housing Endowment will administer the fund. Its supporters have already committed more than $100,000 to it in Robson’s honor.

For more information, e-mail Madeline Smith at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8069.

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