Hello Friends,

This is an exciting week at the HBA office.  Things are kicking into high gear already in anticipation of our upcoming flagship events 2009 EXPO and Parade of Homes.  Committees have begun to meet and we are looking for more of you who may want to be involved.  If you have an interest in these or any committee, please contact me at kmaisonville@hbagta.com or call 946-2305.
 
However, the greatest joy for me right now is seeing the enthusiastic response to our fall seminar line up.  Currently we're trying to figure out how we're going to accommodate all those who want to distinguish themselves in our education venue.  For example, our Green Building for Building Professionals class scheduled for this Thursday and Friday is maxed out at 32 individuals with 5 more on the waiting list!  We are already planning a second GBP class because of the demand. I know it will be cozy in our Professional Development this fall, but worth your investment.  Remember you can get all the registration materials and information on our website at www.hbagta.com.
 
Green Building is perhaps one of the hottest topics of the industry we've seen in decades.  Therefore, in addition to offering the professional designation class, we are also pleased to announce that HBAGTA and TAAR have partnered to sponsor our region's first Green Solutions 4 EXPO.  This one-day event will feature green information, products, services, and technologies. The GS4 event will be held at the Hagerty Center on Saturday, Oct. 25th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Booths, including tables, pipe and drape are only $350. 

To obtain the Rules and Regulations or apply for vendor space, visit  www.taar.com/greensolutions.  Preference will be given to TAAR and HBAGTA members who have demonstrated their commitment to some aspect of green.  The booth application deadline is October 1st, so don't delay.  We expect this to be a huge event.  Our corporate sponsorship is growing and we anticipate the high interest seminars and exhibits to draw a great crowd.
 
Next month, our General Membership Meeting takes us to Traverse City Golf and Country Club.  We hope you will save the night of October 13th for a fabulous prime rib dinner and an evening to relax and socialize with your colleagues. Guest meals will be charged at $31.50 per meal.  That brings up the point of RSVPs.  Our members are gracious and have diligently called in their reservations.  But the problem is now that many who make them don't show up.  At our September General Membership meeting, 28 people who made reservations did not show or call to cancel.  We guarantee those spots when you say you'll be there.  As it turned out, we spent $700 we didn't need to for full plates and empty places.  If the Association is going to pay the tab, I'd much rather have you enjoy your benefit of membership rather than watch the stuff go into the garbage disposal.  So next month, please be kind enough to tell us if you have a change of plans.  We'd all feel much better if you did!

We are your resource for Codes, Licensing and Professional Development!

Together we are building a stronger Association!

Sincerely,

Kathleen G. Maisonville, Executive Officer
Home Builders Association of the Grand Traverse Area, Inc.
P:  231.946.2305 Toll Free:  800.422.5166
F:  231.946.1051
kmaisonville@hbagta.com
www.hbagta.com