Buchanan, builders to gather at PDIS
An economist from the Federal Reserve Bank, a Generation Y expert from Deloitte, the head of the NAHB’s new “Green Approved Products” program and political commentator Pat Buchanan will all gather at the 2009 ProDealer Industry Summit on Oct. 7 to 9, 2009, to be held in Phoenix at the Arizona Biltmore.
The three-day event, a joint conference of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) and Home Channel News, will also feature a panel of home builders discussing how the downturn has changed their business models, their products and their relationships with their suppliers.
Buchanan, a political analyst for MSNBC and a two-time candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, will kick off the conference on the evening of Oct. 7 with a keynote speech, followed by a welcome reception and silent auction to benefit the NLBMDA legislative fund.
“The Economic Look for 2010” will be delivered by Yelena Takhta-manova, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. An expert on monetary policy and global economics, Takhta-manova will address GDP growth, inflation and other indicators for the housing and financial markets.
Michelle Desiderio, director of green building programs for the NAHB Research Center, will talk about the newly launched “green approved products” program designed to help manufacturers market their products’ eligibility for NAHB green certification points.
Looking toward the future work force, Stan Smith of Deloitte will share his insights in a session entitled, “Move over Baby Boomers: The future of your company lies in the hands of Generation Y.” As the national director of cross-generational initiatives for Deloitte, Smith will give advice on what to look for in a Gen Y or Millennial employee, and how these hires can have a profound effect on small businesses.
A panel of builders—Tony Callahan, senior VP national purchasing, planning and design for Beazer Homes; Mark Voetsch, VP purchasing and cost management processes for K. Hovnanian; and John Coleman, director of purchasing for Maracay Homes—will discuss how the homes they are now building differ from those they built before the downturn. Topics will include value engineering, “flex” design homes and the changing nature of builder-supplier relationships.
Carl Mulac, a former executive with Engle Homes, Standard Pacific and Ryan Homes, will deliver the builder’s keynote speech at PDIS 2009. Backed by JEN Partners, a New York private equity firm, Mulac has started his own home-building firm, Joseph Carl Homes, specializing in infill development using a “land lite” business model.
Other conference activities include a golf tournament, an awards banquet and social networking opportunities. For more event information, visit prodealer.com .