Donna Mathis, president and owner of Haven Design Works and Program Co-Chair for the Atlanta Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) recently returned from the NAHB International Builders Show in Las Vegas. The 2014 IBS theme was “Expect More” – and according to Donna, the show really delivered!
More than 75,000 people attended the three-day show that took place at the same time as the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). A combined total of 1,700 exhibitors, covering more than 650,000 square feet participated in Design & Construction Week.
“It was a great opportunity for me to meet many of my peers and colleagues, and the number of workshops and panel discussions offered during this well-organized convention was outstanding,” says Donna. There were more than 100 educational sessions to choose from, covering topics such as 50+ housing, sales and marketing, and multi-generational living.
The Atlanta PWB Council won NAHB’s PWB Council of the Year Award, a major recognition for the local chapter that was only chartered in October 2012. “More than 10 of our Atlanta PWIB members were also at IBS, which shows our chapter’s commitment and our focus on education, leadership skills and promoting women in the building industry,” according to Donna, who as Program C-Chair for Atlanta PWB has been very successful in lining up excellent speakers.
This year, the IBS spotlight was firmly directed on Atlanta: David Ellis, Executive Director of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association was named NAHB’s Executive Director of the Year. Says Donna: “All of us with Atlanta PWB congratulate David with this major recognition, we are so proud of him!”
Overall, Donna describes the 2014 IBS as ‘infused with excitement.’
“Vendors and suppliers are carefully and successfully targeting their products toward what is currently being built. Builders are tailoring their new homes to appeal to specific types of buyers, such as parents living with adult children, active adults who wish to age in place, and Millennials.
“IBS is a great way to kick off the new year. You learn new things, meet new people, and are energized and inspired,” says Donna.
To learn more about how Haven Design Works can help you make 2014 a great success, call 678-386-9805.
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