The show will host several home technology sessions, panel discussions, keynote and forums.

Thursday, January 13

8:30—10:00 a.m.
Builder Technology Forum—Project Management Software
Speakers: Chris Thompkins, J Barrows, Inc.; Scott Dixon, BuildLinks; Scott Shimberg, Hyde Park Builders; Tom Gebes, Builder MT
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Builders will learn how to increase their efficiency by selecting the right project management software for their business. Attendees will learn what questions builders need to ask before beginning the research process and traps to avoid during the selection and implementation process. Discussions will also focus on how builders benefit from using the software. This seminar will contain a moderated panel of two builders who will share their insight about project management software, as well as two project management software vendors.

11:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Maximizing the use of the Internet in Your Marketing and Business Efforts
Speakers: Allan Merrill, Homestore, Inc.; Ray Bullen, Distinctive Homes of Central Florida; Sheri Jackson, Fonville Morrisey Builder Marketing Group, Inc.
Location: Orange County Convention Center
The Internet is the recognized No. 1 lead provider for a number of homebuilders. It's important to make effective use of the Internet to connect with buyers. Attendees will learn why it's imperative to have an online presence, and understand the myths, consumer behaviors, and the phenomenal impact the growth of the Internet has had on the home building industry. Attendess will find out what their peers are doing and what really works for them.

1:30—2:30 p.m.
Wired For Sound
Speakers: Dave Hanchette, OnQ Technologies; Joe Piccirilli, AVAD; Petro Shimonishi, NetStreams; Shawn L. Smith, S&S Electronics
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Multi-room audio holds the promise of being the next big thing in home technology. Attendees will learn why consumers want this convenient and stylish way to select music and get quality sound all around the house. The panelists will discuss emerging standards for multi-room audio pre-wiring, and offer advice to builders on how to make money on this technology amenity.

Friday, January 14

9:00—10:00 a.m.
Profit from Your Website Investment
Speaker: Blair Kuhnen, Lux Solutions
Location: Orange County Convention Center
This program will demonstrate how savvy builders are turning their Web site visitors into leads and sales. The goal of the session is to have attendees leave with practical field-tested methods to immediately improve their Web results.

11:00 a.m.—Noon
tecHOMExpo Keynote: From Vision to Success: Applying Technology in Homebuilding
Speaker: Ross Perot Jr., president and CEO, Perot Systems
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Increasingly, homebuilders will differentiate themselves in their markets by how well they apply new technology tools and business processes to the perennial challenges of the industry. It's not only what you do, but how you do it, that will make the difference for homebuilders. In his keynote, Ross Perot Jr. will explore the secrets and dynamics of using customized business processes and structures, fueled by powerful technology, to increase efficiencies, improve quality, build market strength, and increase margins in the homebuilding industry.

1:30—3:00 p.m.
Builder Technology Forum—Sales Automation Software
Speakers: Beverly Keohn, Beverly Koehn & Assoc.; Marilyn Gardner, Beazer Homes; Matt McShane, Builder 1440; Rick Dernier, Cambridge Homes; Steve Lewkowitz, PeopleSoft
Location: Orange County Convention Center
This session will supply tips on setting up a database for accounting, production, and sales data and converting the data for use in an integrated software system. Attendees will learn how to convert their stand-alone software functions into a new integrated system.

1:30—3:00 p.m.
The Virtues of Virtual Reality and 3D Renderings
Speakers: Frank Guido, Aareas Interactive Inc.; Robert Kanjian, Building Solutions LLC; Marc Lamoureux, Alpha Vision, USA; Pekka Varvas, Head & Varvas Advertising
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Attendees will learn how to utilize virtual reality, CAD, Web and email tools to increase presales and margins and reduce model home inventory and advertising costs.

4:00—5:00 p.m.
Flat TVs and Home Design
Speaker: Jason Knott, TecHome Builder & CE Pro magazines
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Flat TVs are hot and with them come new challenges. If builders want to cash in on the trend, they need to learn about built-in audio products that complement flat TVs, how to design nooks that will house them, what kind of wiring infrastructure is needed and more. This session looks at answers to those challenges.

4:00—5:00 p.m.
Bright Ideas: Integrating Lighting Design and Control Systems In Your Homes
Speakers: Utz Baldwin, AD Systems; Jim McVaugh, McVaugh Custom Homes; Lee Odess, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.; Emily Rosenthal, Rosenthal Homes
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Good lighting design creates a need for beautiful fixtures and lighting controls. Builders need to learn how to profit from this opportunity and how to incorporate lighting design and control into all of their homes.

Saturday, January 15

9:00—10:00 a.m.
Using Wireless Communications To Improve Customer Service and Productivity
Speaker: Carolyn Rehling, Nextel Communications Inc.
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Wireless technology provides useful coordination, collaboration and communication tools. Services for locating and managing mobile crews and materials can help builders to improve productivity and manage mobile assets and workers. Attendees will learn how wireless technology can help them get business done more efficiently.

11:00 a.m—12:30 p.m.
Customer Service: The Next Technology Frontier
Speakers: David Poplar, Corrigo; John Radi, Builder MT Production Management; Joe Turner, New Home Customer Service; Steve Zurier, HanleyWood
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Builders will learn what steps to take in selecting and using sales and warranty service software, what pitfalls to look for during the selection process, what questions to ask, and how to evaluate software options based on their specific business. This moderated panel will feature two who will share their experiences with sales automation software, as sales automation software vendors.

11:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Builder Technology Forum — Selecting and Implementing Finance, Job Costing, and Purchasing Software
Speakers: Brian Ennis, Ennis Homes; Gary Wisniewski, Landmark Homes; Joe Stoddard, Mountain Consulting Group LLC; Maggie Geoffroy, Construction Data Control Inc.; Todd Wacome, Wynwood Associates
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Builders will learn from a panel of experts how to select, implement, and use software or software systems to best integrate the accounting, job costing, and purchasing aspects of their business. Discussions will also focus on the benefits that builders obtained from using the software. The panel will contain two builders who successfully use this type of software and two building industry software experts.

4:00—5:00 p.m.
50 Ways to Love Your Integrated Software—Quick Implementation Tips To Do It Right
Speaker: Maggie Geoffroy, Construction Data Control Inc.; William Allen, William Allen Consulting
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Why does a software "solution" often fall short of user's expectations and the system's capability? In this presentation, Geoffrey will cover specific must-do's to make your conversion and implementation successful. She says it starts with managing value-based results and supplies specific tips on setting up accounting, production, and sales databases. Attendees will learn how to plan, execute, and convert stand-alone systems to a new integrated management system.

Sunday, January 16

8:30—10:00 a.m.
Timing Home Technology Installation
Speaker: Eric Bodley, Bodley & Associates
Location: Orange County Convention Center
Nothing in the home today is gaining more attention and popularity than the ability to get connected. This session will provide an overview of the project management aspects involved in integrating electronic systems into the home construction schedule.

8:30—10:00 a.m.
Are Your Website and Sales Center Integrated? Selling Homes Online
Speakers: Blair Kuhnen, LUX Solutions; Frank Guido, Aareas Interactive Inc.
Location: Orange County Convention Center
More builders are converting web traffic into sales and are selling homes online today. If you're a Web-savvy executive looking to extend your sales, marketing, and design center to the Internet, this session will offer advice on how to achieve those goals.