Special SHOWCASE 2003 Wrap-Up Edition!
If you missed SHOWCASE 2003, you missed more than enjoying the company of 360 of your closest systems-built industry colleagues. Click on any of the articles below to catch up on all the action from this year's event, and start planning for SHOWCASE 2004, Oct. 31 - Nov. 3 at the Hilton Austin in downtown Austin, Texas.

SHOWCASE 2003 provided all with lasting memories and meaningful activities.  If you missed out on this year's event, here's a bit of what you didn't experience:

• Roger Lyons of Penn Lyon Homes being honored as this year's S.A. Walters Award winner
• More than 60 companies displaying their wares during the two day trade show
• The BSC Awards ceremony for the winners of the 2003-2004 Excellence Awards
• A 'spirited' keynote address from entrepreneur Thom Winninger
• The full recreational and spa amenities of one of America's top resorts, The Homestead

A Lifetime of Achievement; A Year of Marketing & Design Honored
The Building Systems Councils most prestigious award, The S. A. Walters Award, was presented to Roger Lyons of Penn Lyon Homes during a special ceremony at SHOWCASE 2003. Roger's nomination for the award cited his longstanding involvement with the Building Systems Councils, including his term as BSC Chairman in 1991. 

Roger has most recently been active with the council through his involvement with BUILD-PAC, NAHB's non-partisan political action committee. His efforts at SHOWCASE 2002 raised $60,000.  Not one to rest on his laurels, Roger and the BSC raised more than $70,000 at this year's event. His tireless efforts on behalf of the council helped pave the way for the BSC Advocacy Committee and further the mission of the council. On behalf of The Systems-Built Advantage and the entire Building Systems Councils, thank you, Roger, may you keep up the good work.

Also honored during SHOWCASE 2003 were the winners of this year's Excellence in Marketing & Model Home Design. The awards contest this year drew a record number of entries, including 74 entries from manufacturers! Many categories were closely contested, but the final winners list is now available online.

The 22 winners and ten honorable mentions are too numerous to list here, however, special acknowledgement is in order for Bonded Builders Warranty and Cougar Building Systems (now the Building Systems Network) which each took home three first-place awards.  In the manufacturer's competition, Genesis Homes and Precision Craft Log Homes each earned a first-place award and two honorable mentions. [return to top]

Building A Dream: BSC 2004 Habitat for Humanity Project
Details for the councils' 2004 Habitaty for Humanity Project were announced at SHOWCASE 2003.  Henry Walthery and Forest Homes are spearheading a panelized duplex on behalf of the Berks County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

A full material list is available on the BSC Website, while financial donations can be made to:

Mr. David Addison
Treasurer, Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity
PO Box 13666
Reading, PA 19612

Our 2003 project was one of the most successful in the history of the program.  Let's continue to sponsor this worthy cause by any means. [return to top]

BSC Online Meeting Minutes: All the Information, No Sign-In Sheet
Regardless of what your excuse to miss SHOWCASE 2003 was, there is no excuse to not be caught up on all the council and committee activities. Comprehensive minutes from all BSC meetings are posted here within two weeks of the meeting date. While you wait with baited breath for SHOWCASE 2003 minutes to be posted, browse minutes from Spring and Fall Board to keep yourself and your company up-to-date with all council happenings.

To access member-only content on www.nahb.org, you'll need a login name and password. If you have never seen the exclusive member-only content, get started here, e-mail NAHB, or call 800-368-5242 x0. [return to top]

For This Network, You Don't Need a Server
SHOWCASE provides Building Systems Councils members the perfect environment to network.  From the first tee of the golf tournament, through the SHOWCASE party, the entire conference is designed to give attendees the flexibility to get reacquainted with old colleagues while meeting new associates from across the country.

Other NAHB councils and other associations might also provide you with similar forums, but BSC events are tailored to the needs of the systems-built industry professional.  And, as evidenced at this year's SHOWCASE, we'll let you network in a zoot suit!

When you plan your schedule for SHOWCASE 2004 in Austin, be sure to pad it with time to talk.  Between the golf tournament, welcome reception, breakfasts, luncheons, and just walking the hallways of the hotel, there will always be someone nearby that means business. [return to top]

SHOWCASE 2004: Cowboy Up!
Giddyup partner! Mark your calendars now for SHOWCASE 2004, Oct. 31 - Nov. 3 at the brand new Hilton Austin in downtown Austin, Texas.  Preliminary show information is already posted online.

Stanely Waddell of West Window Corp. and SHOWCASE 2004 chairman is looking forward to capitalizing on the success of this year's event.

For more information on exhibiting and sponorship opportunities at SHOWCASE 2004, e-mail Marlene Adams, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8208. [return to top]

Vegas, Baby, Vegas: IBS 2004
With memories of SHOWCASE lingering in our minds, it is time to turn our attention to the International Builders Show, Jan. 19 - Jan. 24, 2004 in Las Vegas. If you didn't know, IBS is the largest annual construction show in the world and is full of networking, trade show, and educational opportunities. Below is all the necessary information about Building Systems Councils activity during IBS.

Building Systems Councils Booth
Once again, the BSC has secured booth # N-1333 at IBS. Participating in the staffing of the booth is a terriffic way for members to receive the qualified leads the booth garners, at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a whole show booth. To reserve your space at the BSC booth, click here, and return the form to Jeremy Bertrand. For more information, call Jeremy at 800-368-5242 x8353.

Building Systems Councils Meetings
Sunday, January 19
SHOWCASE Planning Committee     7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Sales & Marketing Committee            9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Modular Council                                     11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Log Homes Council                              1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Panelized Council                                  3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Advocacy Committee                             4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Monday, January 19
Board of Trustees                                  7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Building Systems Council Education Sessions
Monday, Jan. 19
Award-WInning Log Homes: An Avenue for Success
North 109 - 110, Level 1, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

On the Cutting Edge: Extreme Construction & Design
North 109 - 110, Level 1, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Can I Panelize This Project?
North 101 - 103, Level 1, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 21
Structural Insulated Panels: Energy Efficient and More
North 111 - 112, Level 1, 9:00 - 10:00 a..m.

Log Building Systems: Enriching Your Future
North 253, Level 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Technology
North 111 - 112, Level 1, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 22
Get Out of the Box: Modular Designs, 2,500 - 15,000 Square Feet
North 109 - 111, Level 1, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Expand Your Business the Systems-Built Way
North 253, Level 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. [return to top]

$ave Money & $ell More Homes: NAHB News

• Now That's Topical: If you attended Michael Lee's SHOWCASE presentation, "Selling Engineered Buildings to Multicultural Customers," you might want to pay particular attention to this report from NAHB's Construction Forecast Conference. Seems the influx of new immigrants to the United States will fuel housing sales for at least a decade.
  
• Keep The Cost of OSB & Plywood In Your Ballpark: Yes, the prices of OSB and plywood have been rising lately, but relief is in sight.  And if your vendor is still playing hardball with prices, NAHB has you covered. Read these recent articles from NAHB's Monday Morning Briefing and Business of Building e/Source to counter rising costs and protect your bottom line.
  
• Tax Cuts for Energy-Efficiency:  Both the House and Senate have passed bills that include tax credits for companies that construct homes to specific energy efficiency standards, and it's up to a conference committee to decide what gets in the final bill. NAHB continues to lobby for inclusion of the most favorable tax credits, which are in the House bill and would amount to a $2,000 incentive for building homes that surpass the efficiency levels of the 2000 IECC by 30%. The House bill also includes a 20% tax credit for up to $2,000 on projects that reduce energy consumption in existing homes. This is a dynamic story, so read upcoming issues of NBN Online for the lastest information!  Jason Lynn is your NAHB contact at 800-368-5242 x8470.

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Feeling Lonely? Contact The Systems-Built Advantage
Sure, you might think working at The National Housing Center is all glitz and glamour, but The Systems-Built Advantage gets lonely, sometimes, too. Share your company news, industry trends, and homespun yarns with us via e-mail, phone, fax, or regular ol' U.S Postal Service. I wouldn't recommend sending a passenger pigeon, however, as they just washed our windows and that could get ugly.

The Systems-Built Advantage
Eric Fulton
Communications Manager, Building Systems Council
National Association of Home Builders
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone:   202-266-8577
Toll Free: 800-368-5242 x8577
Fax:  202-266-8141
efulton@nahb.com [return to top]