International Builder’s Show Recap
Prepared by N. Claiborne Porter, Jr.
Left Anchorage on January 5, 2018
Arrived in Orlando on January 6, 2018
January 7th, 2018
Registration
Began Meeting Attendance
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Attended the NAHB Remodelers’ Regulatory and Green Sub-Committee Meeting
Items of interest are attached concerning lead paint, formaldehyde, and OSHA Reports
Concerning ICC and I-ATMO Codes which may concern Alaska and the adoption of the IRC
Tax Counsel for NAHB reports there may be an upcoming decision from the IRS allowing the mortgage interest deduction to be used for substantial and value improvements to existing single family dwellings
Handouts were handed to the group concerning ‘Race to Zero’ in which Anchorage has a University involved
We need to obtain the 2018 Code Handout from Mr. Don Miller
Discussion with Mr. MacDonald concerning the recent trips to Washington, D.C.
Specific mention at the meeting was made concerning Alaska’s involvement in meetings with their Legislators in D.C. and the success he felt was achieved
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Attended the NAHB Remodeler’s Chair Leadership Committee
Went through the minutes, approved the financial agenda
Discussed issuance of Scholarships for Remodelers, concluded that three would be issued this year – those scholarships average $1,500.00 each
Discussed letter attached: Regarding Scholarships
Discussion concerning Remodeler of the Year – several items need to be cleaned up in the process, including the number of people who vote on the selection
Executive Session discussed the upcoming candidates for the next 1-5 years
4:05 pm Attended the 2018 Chairman’s Strategic Planning Session
Each individual discussed what benefits were provided and what recommendations they make for changes
Then the group was broken into smaller groups, discussions were had to develop a SWOT Analysis
Those Analysis’ are being collated and discussed further within the group, but include:
Increasing at-large membership levels
Defining a set of benefits for at-large members as well as the councils
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Attended the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Reception and Dinner
January 8, 2018
7:30 am – 10:00 am Federal Government Affairs Committee NAHBR Liaison
Chief Lobbyist Mr. Tobin gave the political outlook – it’s really a crapshoot, no one knows which way it is going to go. There are 45 seats up for grabs, 30 Republicans, 15 Democrats
It is way too early to tell who is going to win, too many challenges on both sides, our lobbying needs to be really to the point
Build PAC Report was given – the goal was $3.3 million, we have raised $1.5 million to date
Reports were given concerning taxation – there are a few good points, NAHB played a strong part in getting our interests protected
That work includes those things we know – the IRS is in the process of defining the rules, and we are in the process of working with them, a more detailed report will be finalized and attached
10:30 am – 1:00 pm Attended the National Remodelers Board of Trustees
Reports were given by various Committee Chairs
Total Membership is down by 6%, New Plan Wishes to Increase Membership by 10%
Magazine Publications – all three are very upbeat about their publications
New American Home Remodel is deemed to be a success, I will report once we have visited the site
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Attended Build-PAC Trustee Meeting
Nominations for Trustees were approved
Financial update: Have raised $1.5 million, have dispersed $733 thousand
Club Updates:
Capitol Club: 138
Platinum Club: 58
Gold Key: 761
Dollar-A-Day: 199
Century: 540
State Split Back Funds: Alaska will receive $ 1,813.25
Discussions were held concerning State fundraising and goals various locals have set for themselves regarding fundraising
Talked about the number of seats available for election, Build PAC was successful in 85% of their selections and endorsements last cycle
This next year we will continue endorsing our candidates and re-institute the Defender of Housing Awards
The Leg-con Conference this year will be between April 30th and May 5th, in State
Alaska is number 1, percentage-wise, of Area 15 for fundraising to-date
Our goal is $10,003.50, and to-date we have raised $13,630.00
We are approved to raise Congressman Young’s bucket up to $5,000 for the Primary Race
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm Attended the Resolutions Committee Meeting
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Attended the Gold Key Function at Planet Hollywood
Food and drinks were good
Music was good
One of the better venues for this event
January 9, 2018
9:30 am Alaska Delegation Met Outside Area Caucus Room
Decided to raise questions on governance issues
There is a great lack of understanding
9:30 am Attended the Area 15 Caucus
State Reports were given
Governance Models and other programs were discussed
The Candidates made their presentations
Announcements were made as to upcoming classes
Dean Mon made a presentation concerning Governance and asked everyone to vote for the change
There was a great deal of discussion regarding the problems of Area 15 and their commonality
Meeting Adjourned at 12:30 pm
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Stopped by the Joint Executive Committee and Resolutions Committee Meeting – Reports were made
Afternoon Visited the Floor including the booth that each director was assigned – thanked those vendors for their participation
January 10, 2018
7:00 am – 8:00 am Attended the Credential Committee Meeting
To organize for the meeting of the members and count attendance
9:00 am – 10:30 am Attended the Meeting of the Members
Chairman gave his report
Mr. Howard gave his report
Economic Update was general and occasionally vague
Certain Awards were given
State Representatives / National Directors were elected and sworn in
Guest Speaker: Damian John from Shark Tank – Provided insights into communications levels, he stated that Facebook isn’t a big deal, it’s just a different platform of previous methods of networking
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm New American Remodeled Home Site Visit: North Orlando, Florida
The house was pleasant
Food was good
Company was lovely
Networking was excellent
January 11, 2018
6:00 am – 8:00 am Credentials Committee Meeting
Purpose of that was: Organize for the Contested Election / Sort out the Board Floor / Counting of Ballots
8:00 am - 1:30 pm Board of Directors Meeting
Preliminary Reports were made
9:00 am the Elections were held for the Third Vice-Chairman, Ballots were counted by the elections committee – Mr. Chuck Fawke was elected Third Vice-Chairman
Discussion was held on the Governance Committee, Bylaws, and Governance Proposals – the Bylaw change was passed
The Elections of the Officers for Second, First Vice-Chairman and the Chairman were held and the officers were installed
New membership model was discussed by Mr. Chaban, and was put forth to twenty associations who volunteer for this new program
The financial report was made by Mr. Ugalde
That report shows we are almost 100% back in the black
The Resolutions Committee report was made, in which the Resolution concerning tax reform as confirmed and the Recommendation was presented and passed concerning re-establishing a third meeting in 2019
The report from Mr. Howard was made – he said we got approximately $12 million in TV coverage over the tax code change issues and it was invaluable in asserting our position and NAHB’s position and our rapport with Congress and the President
It was reported by the EO’s and Alaska’s Cindy Rombach was honored with having over 300 hours of training with NAHB
We adjourned at 1:30 – proceeded to return to Anchorage.
