Highlights from HBAGC

Peter Schwartz Chief Executive Officer

I don’t know about you, but I love football and Super Bowl is king. This has been an interesting season that led up to a most remarkable game.  Yesterday, a team that three weeks into the season didn't have a prayer of getting to the Super Bowl, somehow found their inner strength and defied all odds to dominate and ultimately beat a team regarded as the best assembled since the ‘85 bears. (Go Chicago!) Lessons I believe us as individuals and as an organization can learn from this: believe in yourself, focus on the mission, find the inner strength to identify the right game plan and execute it with conviction and determination to succeed.  The Mission of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago is to “Assist the Housing Industry in Chicagoland, the State of Illinois and the Midwest in serving the American Dream of home ownership.” You can view the four vision statements that follow here.  As we move along this year this is something to keep in mind-I know that it is foremost in our Association staff’s mind.  Have a great week!  

SAVE THE DATE-Market Forum will be held on Thursday, February 21st.  This exclusive Association event presenting a forecast for the market in 2008 will feature: David Seiders of NAHB, Erik Doersching of Tracy Cross & Associates, Inc., Chris Huecksteadt of Metrostudy and Steve Hovany of Strategy Planning Associates.  View more information or register for this event here.

Reminder: The Chicago Home & Garden Show will be held February 29-March 2 at the Schaumburg Convention Center.  Bring your family and friends to view hundreds of exhibits!!  Interested in exhibiting?  Please contact Marlene J Rust at 847.515.2000 to reserve your space today!

Member Benefit of the Week

Dell to Give Double Discounts in February Dell is offering double discounts to NAHB members from February 1st through February 29th - that means the normal 3-5% discount doubles to 6-10%!  Go to www.dell.com/nahb  to get started.  

Save the date: May 15th, HomeAid's Battle of the Builders at Willowbrook Lanes. Get your team of six together for this annual tradition. Visit www.homeaidchicago.org for details. Save the Date: North Central Chapter and HomeAid Chicago's 3rd Annual Run for Cover - 5K Fun Run/Walk September 20th. Mark your calendars. Interested in joining the committee? Please email nashton@hbagc.com.

Is there an issue impeding your development?  If so, chances are that it also affects others in the home building industry.  Contact the Attainable Housing Alliance at 630-932-2304 and let us help you be part of the solution.  Visit us on the web at www.ahabuilder.com.

Would you like to learn "108 Marketing Tips To Keep Sales Hot In A Cool Market?" Register to attend the Midwest Builders Show & Conference, and you can attend this session presented by Bonnie Alfriend, MIRM, CMP, CSP, Fellow, president of Alfriend Sales & Marketing Solutions and Brian Flook, MIRM, president of Power Marketing & Advertising, Inc. They will give you cutting edge tips on how to increase traffic, close more sales and earn more money in 2008. To view the complete education line up and special events or to register today, please visit www.MidwestBuildersShow.com. When registering, use the HBAGC member code for your discount – it is posted on the members only side of the HBAGC website.