NCHI The Preferred Supplier Resource - 03/06/2007 (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
New/Renewed American Homes Met with Resounding Success
New American Home Program Keeps on Giving
Updates from The 2008 New American Home
Preliminary NCHI Agenda for Spring Board of Directors Meeting
Opportunities
Welcome New NCHI Members for 2007!
Mark Your Calendars
Mike Weber Named One Of The Top 10 Most Influential People In Concrete!
Pictures of Recognition from IBS
NCHI Liaison Reports to NAHB Committees & Councils
NCHI Internal Operating Committee Reports
NAHB Promotes "Buy Now" Campaign to Bolster Home Sales

NCHI Internal Operating Committee Reports

NCHI Education Sub-Committee Report
Mike Weber, Portland Cement Association

Tom Jaenicke mentioned being a part of a University of Housing focus group last year during IBS and inquired about whether there was interest in having an education certification for NCHI mfg. members on building technology. This "certification" would provide the NCHI member an opportunity to be knowledgeable on building technology setting them apart from other product sales people.
We later learned that staff had investigated this possibility some time ago with both U of H staff and upper mgt. Upon serious exploration and consideration by all this was deemed as not feasible due to the myriad of types of Mfg in the group. NCHI members can get a Certified Graduate Associates Certification.
We discussed the process for education program submittals for IBS education programs and that NCHI is able to have some programs approved as important to the NCHI membership. Tucker explained that submitting education program requests for 2008 will begin following this years IBS and that he will review all programs for consideration for submittal to U of H. There were 29 NCHI member programs submitted last year with 3 accepted for IBS '07.

We also discussed that NCHI has other education programs that are often overlooked as such. They include:

The New American Home
Spring and Fall Construction Forecast that NCHI sponsors
The Briefing Reception held during NAHB's Spring Board is also sponsored by NCHI
Paying for Growth Publications to assist builders in mitigation their impact fees.
Sponsorship of the Outstanding Student Chapter Awards.

NCHI Membership Sub-committee
Chairman: Paul Daniels, Hyphen Solutions

The membership committee meeting began with opening statements by Barbara McMurray. We received an update of 2006 membership activities including the current membership count of 138. In 2006 there were 19 cancellations and 22 new member companies. Cancellations were attributed the industry downturn, and M&A activities in the supplier industry.

All members are requested to work NCHI recruitment during IBS (use the NCHI lounge provided).

NCHI members are encouraged to direct prospective members to the NCHI Lounge where membership packets are available.

Retention is critical for 2007. If the supplier community is to take a leadership role in stabilizing and growing this industry then membership is imperative.

2006 Less than 50% of NCHI members submitted articles for Nations Business News. You are notified of this via email and it is free. Use it!

NCHI Marketing Committee
Angelo Marasco, ODL

In support of the committees’ goal to increase awareness and understanding of the enhanced value of NCHI membership we are looking to streamline and focus the membership kit. This includes the prospecting letter and member benefit information. A key goal is to format information so it is easy for decision makers to digest, with an emphasis on the key valued benefits of membership. The ability to send information as a pdf. document is desired. Additional information, such as the up to date membership list, can be referenced via the website.

A secondary objective is to survey members tactics for leveraging their participation in The New American Home to provide to all members as a benchmarking benefit.

Key actions:

Draft a creative brief for the membership document. Objective is to make it quick to communicate primary benefits. Plan to feature testimonials from a few companies.
Identify which membership information is best referenced on the website.
Draft TNAH survey for committee input.

Additional Comments:

Investigate potential for NCHI literature piece to be mass customized so that members can use it in presentations to builders.