THIS YEAR'S TOPICS AND PRESENTERS:
(last updated 2/11/16)
CLICK HERE to view the session days and times.
Keynote Address:
Presenter: Lindsey Thudin of Houzz.com
The Internet has changed forever the way our prospective clients discover and hire professionals for their building and remodeling projects. Old models no longer work as customers now expect to perform deep due diligence from the very start. Learn how to leverage new tools like Houzz to successfully close business at every stage of the traditional sales funnel - from consideration to credibility to the final stage of the sales process.
Also learn some of the top trends, both inside and outside the home, as determined by polls conducted to Houzz's over 25 million homeowners and 500,000 active professionals, as well as analysis of Houzz activity by these homeowners. Come learn what projects and products your future clients will be asking for.
90 - Minute Sessions (1.5 Primary CE each):
Connect the dots: A Guide to Collecting and Protecting
Presenter: Robert Newkirk of Newkirk Law Offices
Dispute resolution, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, lien and bond rights; what does it all mean? Increase your understanding of design contract essentials by attending this ninety-minute session. The presenter will cover contract terminology, study the roles and relationships of project participants and explore the law of contract interpretation.
Even with an iron clad contract, things can go unexpectedly. What do you do? What are your rights? How to you collect? One method is the Mechanic's Lien Law. Are you entitled to file one, why is it important to file, and what types of property and services are subject to liens? There are also deadlines to be aware of and pitfalls to avoid.
In addition, learn the advantages of an LLC when compared to sole proprietorship or partnership. Is your business at the stage where an LLC makes good business sense?
Where Building Science Leads to Real World Solutions
Presenter: Dr. Anne Cope of Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Please join Dr. Anne Cope for a presentation about the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, including an overview of the Institute's areas of study, as well as the FORTIFIED Home TM program and the professional certification programs Certified Professional Building Designers qualify for. The IBS Research Center investigates the performance of building materials and practices under a variety of different conditions, including high wind events, wind-driven rain, hail storms and wildfire, which inform the Institute's FORTIFIED programs and property loss mitigation guidance. Dr. Cope will provide information and answer questions about the Institute's ongoing work.
60 - Minute Sessions (1.0 Primary CE each):
'QuickStart' Residential BIM Startup Kit
Presenter: Dave Brainard of CG Visions
In an effort to help minimize the barrier of entry for North American home designers and builders migrating from CAD to BIM (in this case, the Autodesk Revit Platform), CG Visions has developed a robust collection of residential specific content, permit worthy, presentation templates, sample projects and workflows to help them hit the ground running, and it doesn't stop there. Learn more about what CG Visions is doing for clients today as CG Visions shares what they've learned to be the best practice for deploying and leveraging BIM in the residential space.
How to Not Get Caught Disturbing the Peace: Reducing House Noise
Presenter: John Bishop of DB Sound Control
Our homes are a symphony of people, digital beeps, flushing toilets, groaning appliances and that's just on the inside. Outdoors we hear lawn mowers, leaf blowers, car stereos and more. This session describes some of the physical methods building designers and builders can employ to reduce noise impacts. From acoustical site planning to floor plan layout and sound deadening building techniques, see case study demos centered around the basics of acoustic principles and information about applications to reduce noise.
Emerging Residential Technology Trends
Presenter: The Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association (CEDIA)
Home integration and automation are no longer options, they are necessities for comfort, safety, and livability in your clients' current homes and their new homes as well. Differentiate yourself from your competitors! With your clients' expectations increasing and their desire for residential technology growing more and more, design professionals must keep up-to-date and be familiar with technology trends. This course offers designers the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from a residential technology expert about the most up-to-the-minute developments, applications and solutions that will give them a sharp competitive edge. Recognizing and highlighting residential technology can increase profits and result in satisfied clients, referrals and trend-setting impressions. This session will highlight the most popular emerging technologies and trends available for today's smart homes.
The Design and Performance Advantages of Composite Shakes, Shingles and Slate
Presenter: Loren Bosazzi of Enviroshake
This course provides an overview of the characteristics and green features of composite shake, shingle and slate vs. alternative shake and slate options as a discussion of the relationship of composite shake, shingle and slate to various green certification programs. Learn the factors and environmental considerations that are driving the composite shake, shingle and slate market; the advantages of specifying composite shake, shingle, and slate vs. alternative options; and the relationship of composite shake, shingle and slate to the NGBSTM program and the LEED(R) green building certification program.
Bonus - Mini Sessions (0.5 Primary CE each):
Connect How to Put Together Winning ARDA (and other design competition) Entries
Presenter: Hillary Gottemoeller of Gotteplan
With eight years of experience as a judge of the American Design Awards, Hillary is our resident expert. If you are considering entering this year's ARDA recognition program, which is just around the corner, let Hillary demystify the process for you. Learn the benefits of participating in awards programs, how to determine the appropriate categories to enter into, how to put together a presentation that grabs attention, and what it is the judges will be looking for when they review your projects.
Engineering Computations for Architects & Designers
Presenter: Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser has authored a simple self-study course on how to design uniformly loaded simple beams. The information is not only helpful in your practice but also is important to know if your goal is to become certified by the National Council of Building Designer Certification. In this mini session, you may not become an expert mathematician, but you will know how to use the guide to size beams, headers, joists and rafters quickly and accurately without the need for engineering software programs.