State and Local Reporter - 09/12/2003 (Plain Text Version)

Debora Trimpe, Chair
Flower Mound, Texas

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In this issue:
You Asked, We Listened: Your Ideas Used to Shape 2003 SLGA Conference
Atlanta Area Builders Association Wins Major Fee Settlement
For Second Straight Year, Liability Insurance Is Top Builder Concern
Anti-Growth Proposal Raising Concerns in Florida
Home Builders Score Stunning Court Victory on Pygmy Owls
Builder Representation Needed on State Housing Finance Agencies
NAHB Builds Relationships with Public Official Groups
Regulatory Barriers Affecting Your Business? Air Your Concerns on HUD Web Site
Industry News
State and Local Government Affairs Meetings at Fall Board

You Asked, We Listened: Your Ideas Used to Shape 2003 SLGA Conference

Expect the 2003 SLGA Conference to reflect your suggestions made through an online survey and focus group.

What breakout sessions are most valuable to you? What makes you decide to attend the conference? What ideas do you have for improving the conference? Those questions are just a few of questions used in an online survey and focus group to help shape the State & Local Government Affairs Conference. Expect this year's event, held November 6-8, 2003, in Wichita, Kansas, to reflect your suggestions.

Here's what you said:

“Let us learn more from each other — and less from talking heads.”
Look for most sessions to involve state and local government affairs staff, executive officers and members. Expect fewer lectures and more discussions.

“We want to hear more about our peer's successes.”
A Saturday morning plenary session will highlight legislative and political success stories from associations around the country. Get examples of campaign and lobbying materials that really work.

“I'm new to this — can you give us some beginner-level sessions?”
Sessions on building coalitions, effective media relations, finding and using data and statistics found on the Internet, and why and when to sue are perfect for those new to government affairs work. Veterans should find the programs useful, too.

“Give us more and better networking opportunities.”
The Saturday lunch will be devoted to an informal networking session. Discuss what you learned in the breakout sessions with your peers or meet someone does your job in a different part of the country. Evening receptions offer more chances to talk with your colleagues.

“Update the technology.”
A computer in the conference reception area will offer Internet access for conference attendees. And attendees this year won't be lugging a 300-page reference guide home on the plane – there will be an interactive CD-ROM containing the high points of the conference.

Online registration and general conference information are available in the “events” section of www.nahb.org.