Editor's Note: We're proud to announce that Michael R. Copp, Assistant Staff Vice President, Specialized Member Services, was recently promoted to Senior Staff Vice President of NAHB's University of Housing. Copp has worked with the National Sales and Marketing Council and Institute of Residential Marketing since 2001, taking both groups to great heights during his tenure. His promotion goes into effect as of Dec. 1, 2007. While Michael will be dearly missed by everyone involved with NSMC and IRM, we are thrilled that he will add great value to NAHB's education efforts through his new role with the University of Housing. Congratulations, Michael!

By Michael Copp Hon. MIRM

"I am so glad we had this time together"…

These are the words that Carol Burnett sang after each episode of her variety show, which was one of my all-time favorites. It is hard to believe that 6 ½ years has passed since we began this journey to take the National Sales and Marketing Council and the Institute of Residential Marketing to the next level of productivity and relevance for NAHB. The purpose of this letter is to thank all of you for your support and hard work as we look back at all that we have accomplished together.

The strategic decisions that we have made have led to some incredible growth. In 2001, NSMC has slightly more than 11,000 members and Sales + Marketing Ideas subscribers. Today, we have just under 18,000. You have played a tremendous role in helping NSMC become bigger and better.

Here's a snap shot of a few of the other accomplishments:

• We have improved communication and added new resources for our more than 100 local Sales and Marketing Councils across the country. Two years ago, we launched a series of call-in workshops that have allowed our SMCs and local associations to be more closely connected. Local SMCs are the backbone of our council ... and we're committed to helping you be the best you can be.
  
  
• The IRM research program was launched in 2005, yielding three terrific projects from which findings are now being used to update IRM courses. This was of particular interest to me since I felt strongly that we needed to increase the relevance of the IRM courses while enhancing NSMC membership. We have outstanding instructors who deserved great content to teach.
  
  
• The Sales and Marketing Channel was rolled out in 2006, establishing an infrastructure for delivering our great information via the Web. Now you can access dozens of articles, the latest research and much more online — one of the many benefits for NSMC members. If you haven't visited the Channel, check it out at www.nahb.org/smchannel.
  
  
• The Nationals awards program has continued to grow, thanks in no small part to The Nationals Roll-Over Program. This program has streamlined the entry process, allowing our members to complete a single entry for multiple awards categories. As a result, winners at local SMC and HBA awards competitions  have a direct pathway to The Nationals. A special thanks to Lisa Parrish and Pete Mayer for making this program a reality.
  
  
• Finally, I am very proud of the new IRM Fellows program which recognizes the best of the best within the Institute and provides a cadre of leadership to mentor the next group of members who are coming in to drive future NSMC/IRM efforts.

As I write this, I realize there are many other accomplishments that we have achieved and, frankly, the point is that none of it could be done without the professional and caring staff, the volunteer leadership who see themselves as true stewards of NSMC and IRM, and the local associations who host IRM classes and service SMC members. Without your commitment and support, our members would not receive the service they truly deserve.

So, thank you for all your efforts and I wish you great success in the future. I also look forward to working with many of you on University of Housing efforts to increase the great education programs that are already in place.

I am pleased that we had this time together and I look forward to supporting your efforts within the University of Housing. I hope that you will continue to favorably position NSMC/IRM members to achieve the highest level of participation and leadership in this ever-changing marketplace and continue to build upon the intelligence community that you all represent by taking advantage of collaborations that will take this organization to the next level of service.

With warmest regards,

Michael

Michael R. Copp 
Assistant Staff Vice President, Specialized Member Services 
National Sales and Marketing Council
Institute of Residential Marketing
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