Held May 18-20 in Phoenix, the show floor at the inaugural TBX Conference and Expo targets builders, architects and interior designers with the cool home technology and software.

BREAKING NEWS: Famous Hollywood movie star Rock Hudson may be appearing daily on the exhibit floor at the inaugural TecHome Builder Conference & Expo (TBX) May 18-20 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza! OK...we all know that's impossible. But a special "home automation clip" from Hudson's classic 1959 movie "Pillow Talk" is one of the planned features in the Vantage Controls' booth 102 during the show. In the scene, which is planned to be part of DVD loop, Hudson plays a swinger who has his "bachelor pad" automated to help him seduce chicks. When he hits a single button, the doors lock, the lights dim and a 45-speed record is flipped onto a phonograph. That clip, along with other planned scenes from movies like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "The Stepford Wives," is designed to show builders, architects, interior designers, developers and integrators attending TBX that Hollywood's once-far-fetched depiction of automation is truly an inexpensive reality today.Vantage will be conducting 15-minute tours for attendees in its booth, which will include a walk through a virtual house that allows builders to activate scene modes and shade control in a virtual theater, game room, master bedroom, master bath and outdoor environment.

The activity in the Vantage booth is just one example of what TBX attendees can expect to experience on the exhibit floor. For attendees, experiencing TBX does not stop with the 33 educational sessions and four boot camps, but spills over the two full days of exhibits where 100+ booths will be offering the latest in home technology and back-office and front-office software for builders. For example, David Rodarte, COO of NuVo Technologies, says his booth "is designed to educate the builder on both wiring standards and a good, better, best approach to providing a whole-home music experience. The builder will leave our booth understanding whole-home audio as a category and that NuVo is positioned for the mass affluent customer."

NuVo will be showing its four-room, four-source Simplese Pro system that sells for less than $1,000. It will also use TBX to exhibit its Concerto whole-house audio system that includes XM Radio, AM/FM tuners plus three personal choice music selections.

Rodarte realizes that many builders are still on a steep learning curve in regards to home technologies. Regarding selling techniques, Rodarte says multiroom audio is "about music first. Whole-home music is the mood catalyst and enhancer. With the 45- through 70-year-old buyer seeking a high quality of life experience in the home, whole-home music provides the fifth sense. Music enables an intimate dining experience, exciting party environment, or an energizing wake up to one's favorite beat. Music as a standard feature means high value to this market segment. A builder can provide clear differentiation by including a base level of music or video and authenticate that it delivers a life style."

Paul DiComo of Polk Audio agrees saying that multiroom audio "represents a fantastic opportunity for builders to add value to their homes." He advises builders to not be shy and ask for a demo of its IP-addressable, self-powered in-wall speakers and its XM Satellite Radio component tuner in its booth 414. "There's nothing like a hands/ears experience to learn about a product and company. Product quality does matter to end users. Builders would be well advised to spec the best-performing brand name products."

The TBX exhibit floor also targets attendees seeking software to operate their homebuilding company more efficiently. For example, BuildTopia in booth 527 will be showcasing its management solutions for residential builders, including:

• BTBuilder - Enterprise Project and Construction Management
• BTSales – Sales, Options and Contract Management
• BTService – Customer Service and Warranty Management
• BTAccounting – Enterprise Builder Accounting

But how should a builder approach a software booth, especially when it's a fully-integrated, Web-based technology? Bret Gardner of BuildTopia says it's easy...just talk about your business. "We encourage builders, new-home Realtors, and warranty companies to stop by our booth and talk about their business, vision, and needs to achieve success. Feel free to ask questions, gather information, or request a demo. BuildTopia representatives will seek to understand your needs," he says.

Back in the Vantage Controls' booth with Rock Hudson and other movie stars, Bob Long, director of sales, and his staff will be instructing builders on three basic topics:

1. What is home automation?
2. How can a builder hook up one of his new homes with home automation features?
3. How a builder can package and sell home automation to homebuyers?

In addition to the movie clip DVD and the virtual home tour, the company will be showing off its brand new consumer-oriented brochure packages for builders, and debuting its new model home program that outfits a model home at no charge.

How to Register for TBX

Location
Hall B, Phoenix Civic Plaza
111 North Third Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
www.phoenixconventioncenter.com

Exhibit Hall Hours
Thursday, May 19: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Friday, May 20: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Registration Deadlines
April 22: Early Registration Pricing Deadline

May 17-Advanced Pricing Deadline
$25 Exhibits Pass (save $25) and save up to $100 on conference registrations!

How to Pre-Register for TBX
Web: www.tbxweb.com
Mail: TBX 2005, c/o CDS
107 Waterhouse Rd., Bourne, MA 02532
Fax: 508-759-4552
Phone: 800-440-2139

Call in your TBX registration between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET, from Monday through Friday.

Buy-One, Get-One-Free Conference Packages
Available on all conference packages except the one-day conference session pass, this introductory offer lets you bring another member of your team to TBX training at no additional cost! Register by April 22nd.

Badge Information: All registrants processed after April 15th must pick-up their badge at a registration counter located in the lobby of Hall B at the Phoenix Civic Plaza.

TBX Help Desk: 800-440-2139

Prefer to register over the phone? Have a question about a class? Need help building a training itinerary for you or your team? Call the TBX Help Desk. Hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.