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About The HBA and Its Members:
Together
for the Building Industry The Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia is a local professional association comprised of residential home builders from the South Carolina midlands including Columbia and Camden. They include small-, moderate- and large-volume home builders, multifamily and commercial builders and remodeling contractors. Associated with these builders is a broad spectrum of professionals supporting the building industry in its many facets. They include subcontractors, retail and wholesale suppliers, architects, engineers, mortgage lenders, realtors and others. Since 1958, these diversified professionals have joined forces through the HBA of Greater Columbia to improve all aspects of the building industry in this ever growing area of South Carolina. They realize the importance of keeping abreast of industry trends and improving their businesses through information available in local, state and national publications and through participation in association activities. They know that every contact made through the HBA is a potential asset to themselves and their businesses. HBA members help each other both within and outside of association affiliation. Trade is promoted within the membership. As each individual member grows stronger, the association as a whole gains strength. The HBA of Greater Columbia is strong and its voice in the community and industry is strong. See some of the many Affiliate Programs offered to members of the association from discounts on GM vehicles to paycheck systems. Click Here.
The
National Association of Home Builders With over 200,000 members, NAHB is organized in a federation of approximately 800 state and local builder associations around the country. These associations range in size from a 10-member chapter in a small community to a large metropolitan association with 2,500 members. The dedication and quality of NAHB's elected leadership has made it one of the most influential trade associations in the country. NAHB provides its members with numerous services including business management seminars, informative publications and library resources, governmental lobbying efforts on the national level and extensive training programs through the Home Builders Institute. National industry councils provide members in specialized fields with educational, technical and business management programs to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Membership is available either through a local council or directly from the national council offices. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) website. See some of the many Affiliate Programs offered to members of the association from discounts on GM vehicles to mobile phone plans. Click Here.
The Home Builders Association of
South Carolina The Home Builders Association of South Carolina represents builders to the General Assembly and provides liaison with state government agencies. Members look forward to the annual state convention which attracts 500 participants each summer. Held at a resort in close proximity to South Carolina, the convention features workshops, speakers and a trade show. The HBA of South Carolina also sponsors an annual quail dinner for legislators and public officials. HBA members from around the state gather at the "Bird Supper" to express their views to their representatives in the legislature and to present the "Hammer and Trowell" award to the public official who has worked most diligently for the benefit of the state's housing industry during the previous 12 months. Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC) website.
The HBA of Greater Columbia strives continuously to keep its members abreast of the latest construction technology and changes in the industry. Various courses, seminars and a monthly "Builder Workshop" keep members informed of the latest trends, information and techniques valuable for their businesses. Through the HBA and its councils, members can earn such professional designations as Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB), Certified Master Builder (CMB), Graduate Master Builder (GMB), Certified Green Professional (CGP), Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) and Member Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM).
The membership gathers of every month to socialize, learn about each others businesses and discuss current concerns of the building industry. An informative speaker addresses the membership at each of these dinner meetings. See the calendar of upcoming HBA Meetings and Events here. The International Builders Show (IBS) held in January or February each year features numerous educational programs and hosts the largest construction industry exposition in the world. Members can also attend the convention of the HBA of South Carolina held each year at a resort area.
Two political action programs protect industry interests in government. Members can contribute to BUILD-PAC on the national level and SC BUILDERS PAC on the state level to insure that pro-housing candidates that help us fight to keep housing affordable and well represent the building industry in the legislature and local elected offices remain there.
Publications Free subscriptions to publications on the national, state and local level are included with HBA Membership. Members receive our BLUEPRINT magazine every other month and it informs readers of association activities and local news affecting the building industry. South Carolina Builder Journal serves the same purpose on the state level and is published quarterly. BUILDER is the magazine of NAHB. Members receive it along with other publications that keep them informed of what is happening in the industry across the nation. HBAGC is the largest
local association in the state and one of the top 20
largest local HBAs in the country. Our membership includes builders
and associate members involved in residential home building and light
construction, representing nine
out of 10 new homes built in the Greater Columbia area. Membership
Directory – The HBA of Greater
Columbia’s annual membership directory contains up-to-date member
information and association news. Click
here for advertising information. (Available for 2009 Membership
Directory.) Parade
of Homes Guide – Our annual Parade of
Homes is a single-site display of new homes that allows our builders to
showcase their construction talent. Past Parades have attracted between
17,000 and 23,000 attendees. . Put your company in front of key players in
the industry, including home builders and home buyers of the Greater
Columbia area. To secure your space in the upcoming
Parade of Homes guide, contact Marcus Weston, publication director,
at (800) 369-6220 ext. 3465 or mweston@naylor.com.
(Still available for 2008 Parade of Homes Guide.) Tour
of Homes Plan Book – The Tour of Homes is a
scattered site tour of homes throughout Kershaw, Richland, Lexington and
Fairfield counties and is Columbia's largest open house of new homes. The
Tour of Homes plan book features Columbia's finest builders and
developers showcasing their innovative ideas, special design features,
dynamic floor plans and fine craftsmanship. To secure your space in the upcoming Tour of Homes plan book, contact Marcus Weston,
publication director, at (800) 369-6220 ext. 3465 or mailto:mweston@naylor.com.
(Ad sales in 2008 book have closed... available in 2009 Tour of Homes Plan
Book.) BLUEPRINT Magazine
– This
bi-monthly magazine informs readers of association
activities and local news affecting the building industry.
Reach the decision makers of the Greater Columbia home building
industry by advertising in BLUEPRINT. Click
here for advertising information. See the current issue and past
issues by clicking here. Economic Quarterly Review
eNewsletter – Connect your company with
the decision makers in Greater Columbia's home building industry with the
HBA of Greater Columbia's new eNewsletter, Economic Quarterly Review.
The newsletter will be e-mailed directly to HBAGC members every other
Friday and will keep them in-the-know about the latest industry news and
association events. Click
here for more information. See the current issue and past issues by clicking
here.
In 1986, the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia established a Legal Action Fund. Monies from the fund can be used to aid the defense of an HBA member ONLY when the outcome of the case will have a direct effect on future cases concerning the major issue involved. A committee closely monitors and examines cases that request aid from the fund.
Insurance HBA of Greater Columbia member firms that qualify have insurance available to them and their employees. The insurance plans include health and accident coverage as well as workers compensation. SC Home Builders Self-Insurers Fund - Need more info. on HBAs Workers Comp program? Visit this website and learn all about it.
Carolina
Classic Home & Garden Show Since 1967, the Home Builders Association has sponsored the Carolina Classic Home Show at the State Fairgrounds. HBA members receive a discounted rate on booths in the Home Show which is the largest home building products show in the area. The 15,000+ visitors each year recognize it as the one event where they can see all the latest products and services related to the home and garden offered by area businesses. Advertising in the Home & Garden Show Guide is available by calling (803) 256-6238. See 2008 Home & Garden Show information by clicking here
Home
Improvement Show - REDO/REMIX In 1995, the Remodelors Council of Greater Columbia began their annual Fall Home Show. This event provides an opportunity for companies to boost fall sales by exhibiting their products and services at the time of year when the market slows. This show is held in August at the SC State Fairgrounds. Learn more about the show here.
Each year the HBA of Greater Columbia organizes a single-site display of new homes known as the Parade of Homes. Once completed, the fully furnished and decorated homes are opened to the public for 16 days including three week-ends. The Parade of Homes allows builders in the HBA to showcase their construction talent to more than 17,000 visitors from around the state. Advertising in the Parade of Homes Guide is available. Contact Marcus Weston, publication director, at (800) 369-6220 ext. 3465 or mweston@naylor.com.
Another event which gives builders and developers the opportunity to mass market their product is the annual Tour of Homes. New homes and communities all over the Greater Columbia area are open to the public for three consecutive week-ends in the fall. A Plan Book is produced which gives directions to each home and community. Advertising in the Tour of Homes Plan Book is available. Contact Marcus Weston, publication director, at (800) 369-6220 ext. 3465 or mweston@naylor.com.
Affiliated with the National Remodelors Council, The Remodelors Council of Greater Columbia also provides a forum for members involved in remodeling to exchange information and address the problems specific to their area of construction. A main focus of the Remodelors Council is improving the image of the remodeling industry by educating consumers on identifying reputable contractors. Education of remodelers to help them maintain a high level of professionalism is also a high priority. Click here to visit the Remodelors Council website.
HBAGC's Land Development Council creates a forum for members involved in residential development to discuss problems and issues affecting their segment of the industry. Roundtable discussions enable these members to find ways to make land development more economical.
The Sales & Marketing Council of Columbia strives to keep lines of communication open between those that are building homes and those who are selling them. Frequent educational seminars improve the marketing and selling skills of both realtors and builders. The SMC of Columbia sponsors the REGAL Awards program. REGAL awards recognize "Real Estate's Greatest Achievers and Leaders" annually in categories such as Best Advertising Campaign, Best Master Planned Community, Builder Executive of the Year and Sales Agent of the Year. Click here to visit the Sales & Marketing Council website.
The Green Building Council of Greater Columbia was formed in 2007 by members interested in learning more about sustainable residential construction. The council holds regular membership meetings, education classes, and public information sessions. To learn more about the Green Building Council and the Build Green Greater Columbia program, please visit the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia website.
YES, you and your ideas, suggestions and help are needed to build an even stronger association, which in turn gives you stronger representation at the city, county, state and national levels. Lend your stature to help housing grow and prosper as an industry and a profession. For more information, call (803)256-6238. Click here for a Membership Application HBA OF GREATER COLUMBIA Home || About HBAGC || Members Online || Buyer's
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