Deck Construction, Shear Walls & General Connections

The Southwest Missouri Code Officials Chapter of the International Code Council is offering an education seminar entitled, "Deck Construction, Shear Walls & General Connections". James Feldt, territory manager for Simpson Strong Tie, will be giving a presentation on deck construction and safety per the 2006 IRC, braced walls/shear walls, and on general connector use and code references for connectors. The course will be offered Thursday, May 7 at OTC Lincoln Hall, Room 211, from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost for non-members is $35 (which includes membership dues) or $20 for SMCO members.

Deck Construction, Shear Walls & General Connections
Thursday, May 7
8 a.m. - Noon
Ozarks Technical Community College
Lincoln Hall, Room 211
$35 non-members/$20 SMCO members

You can bring your registration fee (make checks payable to SOUTHWEST MISSOURI CODE OFFICIALS) and pay at the door or you may send it in advance. Mail to:
David Siewert
4064 S. Eaton
Springfield, MO 65807
To email David click here

For more information and to see additional educational programs of the SMCO, visit the organization's website at www.smcoweb.org

We've heard from a number of HBA builders who have attended the SMCO's educational programs and they say that they are an excellent opportunity at a very affordable price.

Negotiating with Your Lender

Negotiating with Your Lender

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Online Web Conference


Home Builders and developers are caught in a debacle with the credit crisis that plagues our nation’s financial institutions. Log on to listen to a panel of experts including three veteran builders, a leading banking industry attorney, and a seasoned lender to hear both sides of the table discuss options that are proving to work.


To register, go to: http://webinar.builderscopilot.com/webinar/


CGA, CGB, GMB, CGR, GMR, & CAPS can earn 1 CEU

There is no charge to take part in the program.

Conference is sponsored by Builders CoPilot and is supported by NAHB’S Business Management & Information Technology Committee.

Seeing Green in a Red Market - CGPs Earn 1 Unit of Continuing Ed

Seeing Green in a Red Market

Thursday, April 16, 2009
12:45pm – 2:00pm
Home Builders Association
636 W. Republic Rd., Suite D-108

Springfield, MO 65807

Can green building give you an edge in today’s tough market? The Homebuilders Association of Greater Springfield invites you to participate in an Audio Seminar by the National Association of Home Builders to find out. The audio seminar, entitled: Seeing Green in a Red Market, will feature speakers Don Ferrier, CGB, NAHB Green Advocate of the Year; and Greg Hardwick, CGP. They will share their real-life experiences with green and the tools that have helped them gain success.

Certified Green Professionals can earn 1.0 CEU
Other NAHB Professional Designations may also receive 1.0 CEU for completion of this audio seminar. Check with the NAHB University of Housing for details. 1-800-368-5242 ext. 8057

$15 for members
$25 for non-members

Please register by April 10, 2009
Seating is limited.

RSVP: Carrie Smith, 417-881-3711 or email by clicking here

Learn More About Marketing the $8,000 Tax Credit to Sell New Homes

Housing Tax Credit Teleconference Monday, March 16 at 1 pm at HBA

Those who want to learn more about how to use the $8,000 tax credit to sell new homes should listen to this telephone audio-conference which will offer details about the tax credit program and tips from leading marketing specialists. And for those who cannot join the call, an audio file of the call will be available on NAHB.org just a few hours after the call is completed.

The featured speakers will be:
Jerry Howard, NAHB's President and CEO
Rob Dietz, NAHB's director of tax issues
2009 IRM President Gaye Orr, MIRM, CMP, of Coldwell Banker Advantage News Homes in Raleigh, N.C.
2008 NSMC Chair Dan Levitan, Fellow, MIRM, CMP, of Levitan and Associates in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Let us know you plan to listen in at the HBA office by clicking here. For more information about the new $8,000 true housing tax credit, visit http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/.

Free Webinar - Builders Who Were Successful in 2008

"Ask The Experts" Webinar by Blue Tangerine Solutions and

Richard Elkman, Group Two Advertising:

A 4-Part Webinar Series Featuring Builders

Who Were Successful in 2008

Part 1: Distinctive Communities of Orland, IL

Thursday, Feb. 19 - Noon at HBA of Greater Springfield office

There is no cost for this program. RSVP by clicking here

This "Ask the Experts" Webinar (with conference call audio) will be conducted with Richard Elkman, President of Group Two Advertising. Join us for the first session of this 4-part series presenting builders that were successful in 2008.

Each webinar examines how the builders changed their marketing and advertising - from Web sites to ads, collateral to internet marketing - in order to be profitable despite the downturn of 2008.

The first builder to be showcased will be Bryan Nooner, the CEO and one of the co-founders of Distinctive Communities in Orland Park, Illinois. There is no cost for this program.

Segmental Retaining Wall Installer Course & Level I Concrete Paver Installer Certification

The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), in partnership with sponsors Pavestone Company and Anchor Wall Systems, is offering a Segmental Retaining Wall (SRW) Installer Course and Certification Program on January 14 in Springfield. For registration form and information call (816) 524-9900. The cost is $175 for the day-long session.

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) is offering an ICPI Level I Concrete Paver Installer Certification Course in Springfield, sponsored by Pavestone Company, on Feb. 10-11, 2009. The cost is $195 for ICPI members and $250 for non-members. For registration and more information call (816) 524-9900.

You can also contact Tom Meyer at Carson's Nursery, 882-5200, for copies of the registration forms.

Builders and Remodelers - Is it time to get an edge on the competition?

It is time to separate yourself from the competition by obtaining a Professional Designation. That will be much easier to accomplish now that your HBA is hosting the BAR and PREP assessments -- your first step in achieving either the Certified Graduate Builder or Certified Graduate Remodeler designations.

The assessments will be offered the morning of February 27 at the HBA office. The fee is $195. This is not an exam that you pass or fail. It is simply a way for the National Association of Home Builders to determine what coursework you will need to complete your designation process. For more information and to register, download the BAR/PREP brochure by clicking here.