Highlights from HBAGC

Peter Schwartz Chief Executive Officer

As 2007 comes to a close I want to wish all members of HBAGC a very happy, healthy, and enjoyable holiday season and New Year. I am reminded of the lyrics of an old theme song, which if modified slightly might be an appropriate description of how many members feel about the challenges we as an industry have faced this year: “That was the ‘year’ that was, it’s over let it be.” It certainly has been a remarkable year for our industry; one that will not be forgotten soon. Yet I feel it is one in which we have all grown and become more seasoned as a result. 2008 will undoubtedly bring with it new challenges for us as a collective family to address. My hopes, however, are high in the sense that I look towards next year as signaling, at some juncture, the beginning of a renewed positive cycle for residential development and sales in our market. That will be refreshing to all of us, and certainly gives us claim to plan for better days than we have experienced during this difficult cycle.

On behalf of the entire HBAGC staff we look forward to continuing to serve you, our magnificent membership, throughout 2008 and beyond. All the very best and thank you for your continued support of HBAGC.  Happy Holidays!

Get Answers which will help you and your company survive and thrive in 2008.  Registration is now open for the 6th Annual Midwest Builders Show & Conference, March 12-13, 2008, in Rosemont, IL.  You can choose from over 35 education courses presented by nationally recognized thought-leaders who will share their tips and best practices.  Ivy Zelman, a well know industry analyst, will be presenting a General Session on Wednesday, March 12th.   And, you can visit with hundreds of IBS quality exhibitors - major manufacturers and niche companies - right in your backyard!  For full show details and to register today, visit www.MidwestBuildersShow.com 

After five years of serving as the face and voice of the home building industry in the City of Chicago, Director of Government Relations Christine Ludwiszewski will be leaving the Attainable Housing Alliance at the end of the year for a new position.  Her expertise and dedication to the issues of our industry will surely be missed.  We thank Christine for her hard work and dedication on our behalf, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors. Paul Colgan, CEO of the AHA, who has extensive experience working with Chicago officials, will be assuming responsibility for Chicago government affairs in 2008. AHA and the Chicago Chapter Government Affairs Committee will host an afterwork gathering in Chris’s honor beginning at 5:30 PM, Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at Citizens Bar, 364 West Erie.

 Please plan to join us!