Media Pre-Registration Open for Midwest Builders Show® and Conference

(ADDISON, IL) – The Midwest Builders Show® and Conference is accepting media registration for editorial media personnel planning on attending show scheduled for March 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. There is no fee for working media for the tradeshow floor, general sessions, education conferences, or city and suburban housing development bus tours.

To register, go to www.midwestbuildersshow.com. Near the top right of the screen choose "media room," then click on “press registration” and fill out the form. An electronic confirmation will be generated and emailed to each registrant. Attending media can pick up a badge to gain entry to the show at the onsite registration counter specifically set up for media at the convention center.

The tradeshow, general sessions, and conferences occur from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, March 16; and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thursday, March 17.

The bus tours are Tuesday, March 15 from 9:00 am to noon for the city segment; and 1:00 to 4:00 pm for the suburban segment. The city tour will focus on Chicago’s West Loop area; the suburban development will focus on the former Glenview Naval Air Station development known as The Glen. Both tours will depart from the convention center but special accommodations can be made under certain circumstances.

One of the main programs this year (general session) is "Charting a New Course – Challenges and Changes in the Real Estate Industry 2005." This panel discussion will include the heads of planning committees representing Chicago and other key geographic areas, along with builders, developers and financiers discussing the current real estate environment; and strategies and responses to challenges facing builders and developers. (Wednesday, March 16, 4:30 – 6:30 pm.)

Highlighted speakers this year include Paula Sonkin of J.D. Power and Associates who will deliver a presentation called "Common Characteristics of High Ranking Builders." She will talk about the methodology used in home buyer satisfaction studies, the way rankings are calculated, objectives and key findings. Her address is Thursday, March 17, 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Robert Spector, author and professional speaker will deliver a presentation on the importance of customer service titled, “The Nordstrom Way to Customer Service Excellence” on Wednesday, March 16, 2:00 -3:00 pm.

The show brings together manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to demonstrate the abilities and resources of home building companies and affiliated trades in an exchange of products, ideas and information. It also offers national scale educational opportunities to raise attendees’ level of knowledge in relation to their work and provides networking opportunities to enhance professionalism and innovation in the housing industry.

For more information, see www.midwestbuildersshow.com or call Julia Roberts at 630/627-7575.

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The Midwest Builders Show is produced by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago (HBAGC) in conjunction with the Home Builders Association of Greater Fox Valley, the Home Builders Association of Illinois, the Residential Construction Employers Council, Will-Grundy Counties Home Builders & Associates and Reed Business Information, the publishing partner. The Home Builders Association of Fox Valley and Will-Grundy Counties Home Builders & Associates, like the HBAGC, are trade associations whose members and associate members are involved in the home building industry and allied segments of residential construction. The RCEC is an association of construction trade employers and builders who work to consolidate managerial interests and strive to represent the residential construction industry in labor-related matters. The RCEC also works to cultivate a united front in the consideration of labor matters and works to improve labor relationships.