Schedule of keynotes, home technology sessions and panel discussions

Monday, Jan. 19

10:30 a.m.
Grand Opening Ceremonies
International Builders' Show Keynote
Speaker President George H.W. Bush
Location Orleans Hotel Arena
Sponsored by Kohler Co.

The opening ceremonies are produced by NAHB and emceed by Congressman Guy Vander Jagt. This will be followed by the opening address by former President of the United States the Honorable George H.W. Bush, who will share his perspective on what makes our democratic society a beacon for the world.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

8–9 a.m.
Education-Based Marketing Technology for Design Centers & Warranty Departments
Speaker Michael Vogel, president and CEO, Design Center Solutions
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

A discussion and demonstration on how builder design centers and warranty departments can leverage the tools of technology and the Internet.

8:30–9:30 a.m.
Marketing Home Technology to the New Homeowner
Speaker Coleen Sterns, president, Marketing Matters
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Learn how to market this home technology to new homeowners, showing them the benefits of installation at the building stage.

9:15–10:45 a.m.
Online Customer Service
Speakers Mike Moore, executive vice president, Options Online; Frank Guido, president and CEO, Aareas Interactive; Kristin Kennedy, CEO, YourDesignCenter
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

This session will show you how to turn your options list into online catalogs with enhanced options descriptions, placement diagrams, online custom request manager and online cut-off manager. Combine the latest virtual reality, Web, and email tools with traditional bricks and mortar to create a virtual marketplace.

9:45–10:45 a.m.
Secrets of the Top TecHome Builders
Speaker Jason Knott, editor-in-chief, TecHome Builder
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Learn from a panel of TecHome Builders' success stories on how they leverage technology sales, increase their bottom lines, and how they've honed the building process to accommodate technology during building. Also hear how builders are using technology to sell more homes faster and how they work with integrators to boost technology sales.

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Technology as a Competitive Edge
tecHomExpo Keynote
Speaker Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman of the board and CEO, GE Interlogix
Location Las Vegas Convention Center Room N246-N250

The ninth chairman in GE's 125-year history, Jeff Immelt, has been chosen to highlight the tecHOMExpo. He will share his views on the state of technology and its likely evolution over the next few years, and how builders can best take advantage of these developments. He may discuss the latest in cutting-edge technologies and groundbreaking products for construction management and consumer applications.

1–1:45 p.m.
Packaging Home Technology: A Custom Builder's Perspective
Speaker Paul Trudeau, Next Gen. Living/Hilltop Development, LLC
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Learn how this company, together with many industry manufacturers, is setting the bar for integration standards and education of the installers and home buyers with the goal that every new home will be built having integration and automation of energy management, security and leisure features.

1–1:45 p.m.
The Online Sales Counselor: Turning Internet Leads into Sales
Speaker Blair Kuhnen, owner, Lux Solutions
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

This session will explore how progressive builders are turning Internet leads into sales, the profile of a successful online sales counselor, what online sales counselors do to get sales results, and how to put a program into action at your company.

2–2:45 p.m.
Enhancing Security, Project Management, & Customer Satisfaction with Jobsite Webcams
Speaker Todd Wasome, president, Wynwood Associates
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Geared to the non-technical attendee, this presentation will outline the costs and benefits of integrating a network camera (Webcam) into the current IT systems of a typical small or large homebuilder.

2–3:30 p.m.
IT Solutions
Speakers Tom Gebes, president, Builder MT; Gene Giles, COO, Trelligence; Steve Porten, chairman, Porten Homes
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Attendees will benefit from take-home tips and strategies to help guide them on topics ranging from bid management and subcontractor communications to estimating, scheduling, project management, customer service, and analysis.

3–3:45 p.m.
Fundamentals of a Successful Web Site
Speaker Dawn Barson, partner, Brier.com
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Learn the fundamentals of creating a results-driven Web site, from defining your site's purpose and your target audience, to knowing what information you should include, to designing a site that is consistent with your company's image.

4–4:45 p.m.
Putting Wireless Data to Work on the Job Site
Speaker Daryl Newman, v.p. of construction, Nextel Communications
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Learn how wireless solutions can increase the utility of your handsets by building on the foundation of instant voice communication to deliver critical data directly to the job site, dispatcher, or back office.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The Smart Tech House
Speakers Peter Hoagland, marketing and media relations, Russound; Brad Nielsen, sales director, Aprilaire; Jack Merrow, director of strategic marketing, Leviton Manufacturing
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

Builders, subcontractors, and other channel partners are collaborating effectively on all kinds of home technologies to add value for home buyers. This session covers success stories in HVAC automation, structured wiring, and multiroom audio to provide practical tips and ideas for sales and implementation you can put to work in your business right away!

1:30–3 p.m.
Virtual Reality for New-Home Sales & the Mature Market
Speakers Tracy Lux, president, Trace Marketing Inc.; Deborah Blake, vice president of sales and marketing, Del Webb/Pulte Homes; Eric Snyder, vice president of sales and marketing, Shea Homes for Active Adults; Marc Lamoureux, president and CEO, Alpha Vision USA
Location Las Vegas Convention Center

This session will present the different virtual-reality sales tools used by leading homebuilders in their sales offices, with a special focus on appropriate application of virtual reality for mature market sales.