Sponsored by TecHome Builder Magazine, The Event Will Focus on Issues Facing Builders in Designing, Installing and Selling Home Tech.

There will be a new conference in 2005 aimed at helping builders, designers and architects become more home tech savvy. At the TecHome Builder Conference & Expo (TBX), building professionals can learn about important products and trends in the home technology arena they need to be on top of, as well as information technology products that will help them run their back office and field operations more efficiently.

Sponsored by TecHome Builder magazine, TBX will be held at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. It will feature suppliers and integrators of home technology and IT solutions as exhibitors and attract homebuilders, architects, remodelers and allied trades as attendees. Over 100 exhibitors and 1,500 attendees are projected for the inaugural event. TBX conferences will run May 18–20; the exposition will run May 19–20.

TBX is being produced by EH Events & Education, the trade show unit of EH Publishing, Inc., which publishes TecHome Builder magazine.

Homebuilders are aggressively adding products like structured wiring, multi-room audio, home theater, home automation, electronic security and advanced energy efficiency products to their standard and optional features mix. Recent research shows market penetration for structured wiring systems exceeding half of all housing starts, while the other home technologies are all experiencing strong growth and headed toward double-digit market penetration rates.

In the IT solutions arena, a recent EH Research/TecHome Builder magazine study found strong usage of computer applications, including:

• Accounting - 86%
• Automated Options Selection - 17%
• CAD - 67%
• Consumer Oriented Web Sites - 94%
• Cost Estimating - 73%
• Inventory Management - 25%
• Marketing/Sales Lead Tracking - 47%
• Online Home Financing Qualification - 26%
• Project Management & Job Scheduling - 65%
• Proposal/Bid Management - 67%
• Virtual Home Tours - 34%
• Web-based Customer Service - 24%

Forty seminars, two keynotes and dozens of manufacturer training sessions are currently planned for the TBX conference program. EH is planning a three track program covering:

• TecHomes & Communities—about incorporating technology in new homes and communities to increase sales and profits.
• Tech Sales & Marketing Solutions—about using information technology to sell and market new homes effectively.
• Tech Management Solutions—about using information technology to increase field and back office productivity.

"The TecHome Builder Conference & Expo will help builders, remodelers and architects keep pace with the rapid rate of change in technology to ensure they maximize their opportunities and wisely implement systems for improvement," says John Galante, vice president of EH Events & Education and publisher of TecHome Builder magazine, which will sponsor the event and serve as one of its most important promotional tools. "The time is right for a focused event like this. EH’s expertise in the market via TecHome Builder magazine and its track record of successful tradeshow launch and development make it the perfect organizer for TBX."

Priority exhibit space selection reservations are now being taken. To submit an application for a space selection number, contact John Galante at 703-352-9211, jgalante@ehpub.com.

For more information on the event, contact Nancy Franco of EH Publishing at 508-663-1500 ext. 234, nfranco@ehpub.com, or visit www.tbxweb.com.