The Summit Is In Sight . . .

The Home Improvement Economic Summit is upon us. April 1^st and 2^nd are rapidly approaching when the movers and shakers from the Home Improvement Industry will be gathering in Chantilly, VA at the Westfields Conference Center to discuss the current state and the future of this major economic force in our global economy.

This is no insignificant gathering of colleagues for the purpose of socializing and swapping war stories. The Home Improvement Industry annually represents an amount of revenue equal to nearly 50% of the amount of money the U.S. Congress recently authorized under the “Economic Stimulus Plan.

According to a recent release by the joint center of studies at Harvard University, The Remodeling Market in Transition – 2009, this giant industry has stimulated the market for home ownership, and created millions of jobs for manufacturers and those who install and service the products manufactured. The home improvement industry uses more building products then the new construction industry.

The US government and the media have taken scant notice of the issues and concerns of this great industry and therefore its future will be determined by the pioneers, innovators and creative marketers who have brought new products and ideas to the largest homeowner base in the world.

Highlighting the Economic Summit will be the presentation of the information contained in the Harvard Studies, regarding the remodeling industry.

Speakers at the Summit include:

Dr. Robert Geneski, internationally known economist, www.classicprinciples.com will lead the discussion on the economic issues which face the US with projections for the balance of 2009.

D.S. Berenson, senior managing partner of Johanson Berenson, www.johansonberenson.com will chair two panels introducing information regarding new tax laws, opportunities in the “green market” and new forthcoming legislation on the control of independent contractor status.

Additional panels on a wide range of economic issues will be chaired by industry leaders. Some of the topics include:

Energy Tax Credits and Marketing Them

Retail Financing in a Changing Market

Growing You Business in a Changing Economy

Internet Marketing

Diversity in a Changing Marketplace

I will act as the host of the Summit. It is my position that retail financing is a ‘must’ for those who labor in this industry at the behest of homeowners who require the ability to make sensible loans which enable them to keep their property maintained and energy efficient. Further, I believe that the ability to market products is severely impaired by the abundant negativity replete with doom and gloom expressed by congressional leaders and a sorely misguided media.

Those attending the Summit represent the most successful dealers, installers and manufacturers, all with an eye to strengthening the industry through creative and innovative new approaches to assist their customers in maintaining and improving the investment in their homes and increasing energy efficiency as part of a global initiative.

The Summit is being recorded by Oakhill Press and the proceedings will be available in CD format. Watch for complete details on this blog. And, stay tuned to the blog for a lot of great information and ideas to help improve your business and the economy as we release them.

Best regards,
Dave Yoho