It's Not Too Late To Attend The International Builders' Show!
Experience the excitement of Las Vegas and the 2004 International Builders' Show, NAHB's biggest event of the year, on Jan. 19-22. You can't afford to miss it!

This year's International Builders' Show is expected to attract more than 90,000 attendees from 100 countries. It also will feature more than 200 education sessions, including 12 with a seniors housing focus. An unprecedented 1,600 exhibitors will occupy a record 1.6 million square feet of gross exhibit space—the equivalent of 40 football fields. The IBS also will include the housing industry's largest new product showcase.

Online registration is now closed, but you can still register on-site. Go to the On-Site Registration Booth in Hall C of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the following hours (all times are PST):

Monday, Jan. 19

7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Don't Forget These Seniors Housing Council Activities At IBS
There are plenty of things to do and see in Las Vegas, but don't forget to attend these Seniors Housing Council activities at the 2004 International Builders' Show.

Membership Reception
Drop by the Seniors Housing Council's annual Membership Reception from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom F.  Join your fellow Seniors Housing Council members and colleagues for food, drink, and fun. There is no cost to attend.

Best of Seniors Housing Design Awards Luncheon
Check out the seniors housing industry's brightest stars at the Best of Seniors Housing Design Awards Luncheon noon - 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Treasure Island Hotel. There's still time to register for the event. The Seniors Housing Council will present Platinum, Gold, and SIlver Awards to winners in 42 categories and will recognize several other projects for their design innovations. Tickets are $65 and will be available at the door.

Marketing Breakfast
Bolster your community or company brand by attending the Seniors Housing Council's Marketing Breakfast from 8 - 10 a.m. PST Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Las Vegas Hilton, Rooms 4-5. Paul Klein, general manager of brand and advertising for GE, will talk about Branding — especially as it relates to today's older consumers. Klein will show you why you should brand your company and community, how branding can give you a competitive edge, what to consider when developing a brand, good and bad marketing strategies, how to market your brand, and how to measure your brand's success. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased on-site prior to the breakfast.

Seniors Housing Education Sessions
Monday, Jan. 19
Active Adult Housing for a Blue-Collar Market
LVCC N111 - N112, Level 2, 8:30 - 10 a.m.

You Have A Problem, We Have A Solution
LVCC N257, Level 2, 8:30 - 10 a.m.

The Cutting Edge: Active Adult Apartments and Condominiums
LVCC N113 - N114, Level 1, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Maximize Profits through Strategic Marketing and Management
LVCC N111 - N112, Level 1, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 20
What's Hot, What's Not, and How to Make Money Selling It
LVCC N111 - N112, Level 1, 9 - 10 a.m.

Meet the Experts: Small and Midsize Builders CAN Successfully Build Active Adult Communities
LVCC N217, Level 2, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

New and Innovative Ways to Reach Active Adults
LVCC N101 - N103, Level 1, 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Out of the Mouths of Builders ... Profit Secrets of Universal Design
LVCC N253, Level 2, 4 - 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 21
Making Tough Seniors Multifamily Sites Work
LVCC N113 - N114, Level 1, 9 - 10 a.m.

Boomers on the Horizon: How to Capture This Market
LVCC N101 - N103, Level 1, 9 - 10 a.m.

Meet the Experts: Active Adult Marketing and Sales
LVCC N217, Level 2, 11 a.m. - noon

Meet the Experts: Active Adult Design
LVCC N217, Level 2, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Meet the Experts: Multifamily Active Adult Projects
LVCC N217, Level 2, noon - 1 p.m.

Meet the Experts: Active Adult Communities - Land Development
LVCC N217, Level 2, 12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

The Best of Active Adult Housing Design: Award-Winning Floor Plans
LVCC N101 - N103, Level 1, 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Virtual Reality for New Homes Sales and the Mature Market
LVCC N255, Level 2, 1:30 - 3 p.m.

The New Kid on the Block: Age-Qualified Multifamily Housing
LVCC N113 - N114, Level 1, 4 - 5 p.m.

Successful Selling Techniques for Active Adults
LVCC N245 - N247, Level 2, 4 - 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 22
Creating and Marketing Easy Living Designs for Active Adults
LVCC N255, Level 2, 8:30 - 10 a.m.

The Seniors Housing Council also invites you attend committee meetings. Check out the list of committee meetings, education sessions, and other activities in Las Vegas. Or drop by the Seniors Housing Council's Hospitality Suite, LVCC N217, Level 2, for a program. [return to top]

Learn More About Liability Issues And Risk Management
during a special program offered by the Seniors Housing Council's Rental Seniors Housing Committee during the 2004 International Builders' Show. Insurance liability is a key issue for multifamily operations — and this especially true for operators who are housing an aging population.

The program, titled The Graying of American Housing: Liability Issues and Risk Management, will be held from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N102. Guest speakers include Saye Gbalazeh, lead underwriter for the Assisted Living Federation of America and Lighthouse Companies, and Mari Jo Grace, vice president of Grace Management, a third-party company that manages properties across the country.

Find out why getting insurance can be so hard, what insurance companies are looking for when assessing a property, how operators can mitigate problem areas for insurance companies, and what the future holds for risk management.

Seniors Housing Council members are invited to attend. There is no cost to attend. [return to top]

Williamsburg, VA, Rated Top Low-Tax Retirement Town
by Where to Retire Magazine. Where to Retire researched 163 communities in an article titled "America's Best Low-Tax Retirement Towns,” looking closely at its state and local tax stuctures, not to mention attractions and amenities that cater to active lifestyles. Colonial Williamsburg was noted for its sophisticated but relaxed lifestyle, not to mention its favorable property tax. Williamsburg was voted a “tax heaven” along with Beaufort, SC, and Bend, OR. Other towns mentioned were Charleston, WV; Thomasville, GA; Maryville, TN; Green Valley, AZ; and Port Townsend, WA. Click here for other resources on the top retirement communities. [return to top]

What Is An Active Adult Community?
Apparently, it's up for debate. Recognizing that there is no consistent definition for three problematic property types — active adult units, senior apartments, and nursing facilities — several industry groups are trying to establish a standard set of classifications. The American Seniors Housing Association (AHSA), the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industries (NIC), and other industry organizations plan to come up with definitions that will make it possible to better determine the number of seniors housing starts, the type of product being built, and other useful data. Check out the complete report from Prudential Real Estate Investors for more details. 

In other industry news:

• The state of Florida has established a new advertising campaign promoting the advantages of retiring there. Although U.S. Census figures show that 20% of all retirement moves are to the Sunshine State, Florida faces increased competition from Georgia, North Carolina, and other warm-weather states. The newly formed Office of Destination Florida, part of the Department of Elder Affairs, is calling on Gov. Bush and state legislators to approve an an aggressive $1.5 million marketing campaign. The radio, TV, and magazine ads proclaim Florida as "A place to play, a place to stay." Read this article to find out more.

Notice And Opportunity To Repair Legislation Gains Ground
Resolving construction defect disputes could get easier for builders in states that adopt newly amended model "Notice and Opportunity to Repair" legislation endorsed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The new amendments, which were developed by NAHB and adopted by ALEC at its policy summit in December, ensure a more streamlined and transparent process for resolving disputes between builders and buyers. They provide incentives for settling disputes out of court and add fairness to the overall process. ALEC's model legislation, which is already the basis for laws in 14 states, is expected to engender new laws in a number of additional states in 2004. For more information, e-mail Sam Leyvas or call him at 800-368-5242 x8326. [return to top]

Stop. Log In. Enter To Win
Log in to the www.nahb.org Web site during the month of January and enter to win a FREE Palm™ Tungsten T3 Handheld.

In January, simply go to www.nahb.org/entertowin and enter for your chance to win. If you don't  have a username and password click the First Time User link and create your account today. Or, stop by the www.nahb.org booth at the International Builders' Show and NAHB's Online Relations staff will walk you through the process.

The www.nahb.org booth will be located in the NAHB OnSite area in the lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center main entrance. All active NAHB members, HBA staff, and executive officers are eligible to win. See the official contest rules for more details. [return to top]

Member Advantage: Get Special Discounts From Hertz®
NAHB members can get deals on car class upgrades and one-way double upgrades, not to mention discounts off weekly and weekend rentals, from Hertz®.

For more information, call 800-654-2200. Be sure to use CDP No. 051046.

Go to http://memberadvantage.nahb.org to order online and for details on more than a dozen other money-saving Member Advantage discount programs. Or visit www.nahb.org to explore the numerous advantages associated with membership in your local, state, and national home builders association. [return to top]