50+ Housing e-Source - 01/31/2006 (Plain Text Version)

Norman Cohen
Chairman

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In this issue:
50+ Consumers Embrace Urban Living, Varied Housing Styles
50+ Housing Council IBS Wrap-Up: Big Crowds, Lots of Experts
Best in Design, Marketing Recognized at Awards Luncheon
AARP Releases State of 50+ America Report
50+ Housing Symposium 2006: Building for Boomers and Beyond
50+ Housing in the News
50+ Housing Council and NAHB News and Notes
National Investment Center Announces New Name, Mission
Welcome New 50+ Housing Council Members!
February is National Designation Month
Explore Business Opportunities In Mexico

50+ Housing Council IBS Wrap-Up: Big Crowds, Lots of Experts

Record attendance numbers, gorgeous weather, and a top-notch schedule of events devoted to 50+ housing made the 2006 International Builders’ Show in Orlando a winner. More than 105,000 housing professionals attended the show, taking in miles and miles of show-floor eye candy and countless hours of learning and networking.

The 50+ Housing Council’s many events were well-attended, with most sold out or near capacity. Some highlights included:

Meet The Experts: The lines were long, but the wait was worth it. These sessions gave attendees the opportunity to meet with industry veterans on topics such as design, marketing and sales, trends, and 50+ multifamily.
Marketing Breakfast: Inside the Mind of the Active Adult Home Buyer: Jeff Smedley of Mature Living Choices moderated a panel that discussed the results of a survey that asked 50+ buyers what they want most in a new home. Builders Ralph Spargo, Dave Schreiner, and Brian Nagle fielded questions from attendees and kept the conversation lively.
Hospitality Suite: Though it was located in the far-off 100 hall, the 50+ Hospitality Suite was quite the hotspot, providing a comfortable place to network, get information, or just relax. It was also the place to be for ad and plan reviews.
50+ Housing Tour: The annual active adult community tour sold out again, with IBS attendees visiting Avatar’s award-winning Solivita and Pringle Development’s Royal Harbor and Legacy at Leesburg communities.
Fair Housing Session: The Advocacy, Legislative and Rental Housing Committee attracted its largest audience in a few years for its informative presentation titled “Fair Housing: Accessibility, Age-Restriction, and Marketing.” Committee chair Sheila Salmon, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney, joined NAHB staffers Mary Lynn Pickel and Tom Ward for a thought-provoking discussion on Fair Housing issues such as the use of accepted industry terms that may get builders in trouble and the implications of age-targeting.
Leadership Dinner: The Leadership Dinner featured thought-provoking presentations by Rob Gillette of American House and market researcher Margaret Wylde of ProMatura Group LLC. Wylde shared preliminary results in her recent active adult survey. Final results from her survey will appear in an upcoming issue of 50+ Housing e/Source. The Council also held its annual Membership Reception. Special thanks to sponsors KEPHART Community Design, Traditions Capital, and Bozzuto Homes.

IBS Convention Education materials for most sessions can be found under the session listing here. You can order education session tapes online from www.mobiltape.com.