May 16-17, 2009

Reliant Center

Seminars & Special Events

Official 2009 NHRS Show Guide

See the Saturday, May 9, and/or Sunday, May 10, Houston Chronicle's New Homes section

for our exciting show guide, which will also be distributed at the show.

The Houston Chronicle is GHBA's major media partner.

• Printable Seminar & Workshop Schedule with times.

Before You Build – Must Know Tips

Burk Moreland is a Graduate Master Builder and president of Keystone Classic Homes, LLC, who has worked in all phases of the business from construction and sales, to training and design and is a certified trainer for the National Association of Home Builders. His presentations provide information home buyers will want to know before they start the building process. 

Blooming Backyards; Gulf Coast Gardening; Landscaping 101; Pretty is Easy

Whether you're looking for organic gardening tips, more color and fragrance, landscaping for conservation, or how to landscape to improve your home's value, Fred Billings, owner of Buds & Blossoms answers all your bloomin' questions! Don't miss the Buds & Blossoms plant sale going on over the show weekend.

Build On Your Lot – What You Need to Know

Our most popular seminar! Eric Alarid is a fourth generation Texan, Graduate Master Builder and sales manager for “Built On Your Lot" giant Tilson Home Corporation. He will help you find the perfect lot for your building project, or, if you already have your own land, share his vast experience and knowledge, providing you everything you need to know about adding a new home to your property.

Building Green – What does it mean?; Greening the American Dream

Maci McDaniel of Fox Energy Specialist and members of the Houston Green Building Initiative provide information on green building and remodeling and help you choose contractors and suppliers promoting eco-friendly products and services.

Buy Right – Top 10 Buying Tips for 2009

The Greater Houston Area has some of the best planned communities in the nation and using the stimulus plan, tax savings and green incentives makes 2009 the best time to buy.  Where should your family search to get the most out of your new home? Ask Christopher and Bernadette Hurley, owners of the Go Hurley Group; top-producing realtors and founders of Sherlock Home Inspections. This presentation covers amenities, design and the nuts and bolts of buying now.

Easily (Affordably) Update Your Home’s Exterior; Deck Designs & Outdoor Living

While many can spot a trend, few can start one! Bring photos of your home and exterior areas and visit with Kirby Kasten of AZEK Building Products to learn how to use trim and moulding to beautify and add value your home. AZEK is a leading manufacturer of premium low-maintenance exterior building productsthat will help turn your home into your neighborhood’s show place!

A Green Home Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue

Geoff Hartman of ICF Consulting Energy Efficiency Practice is an ACCA Certified Residential Design Instructor, a Certified Home Energy Rater, a Green Building Certifying Agent, RESNET Green Rater, Certified New Home Sales Professional and Master Sales Professional. His presentation explains CenterPoint Energy’s Energy Star Homes program and also details how to modify an existing home to conserve energy.

Green Makes Sense - Environments for Living Show sponsor!

Kathy Howard is the Regional Building Science Advisor for Environmentsl for Living™, a program that treats the home as a “system of systems” that work together, and it backs this science with limited guarantees on comfort and heating/cooling energy use. Find out from Kathy how your family can save energy dollars!

How to Choose a Builder or Remodeler; Why Builders and Remodeler Designations are Important to Buyers

Erik Cofield, Certified Graduate Associate, is a past recipient of GHBA’s Associate of the Year award and the national accounts manager for BuildTopia.com, an international construction management software company. Erik will define the different types of builders and remodelers and how to choose one best for you.

Make Money by Remodeling Your Home

May is National Home Remodeling Month and Allen Griffin, CGR, GMB, CAPS, CSP, president of Gryphon Builders and the 2009 president of GHBA's Remodelors Council™ will show you how investing in remodeling will increase your home's value - and beauty!

May is National Home Remodeling Month

A panel of pros from our award-winning Remodelors Council explain GHBA’s education program for builders, remodelers and sales professionals and help you find a Texas-registered contractor to put you on the path to “House Beautiful!” Plan ahead; bring photos, paint chips, cloth swatches, floor plans, or just your ideas and let RMC help you get started on your project.

Principles to a Well Designed Room; The Psychology of Color; Eco-Friendly Furniture and a Kitchen & Bath Tips session.

Looking to redecorate? Look to Deborah Healon, A.I.B.D., N.K.B.A, key-note speaker from the Texas Institute of Building Design (TIBD), who will host the TIBD Design Center at the show. Dr. Healon will also present four seminars over the show weekend:

Selecting a Realtor or Inspector to Represent YOU!; Finding Your Home Online

Paul Silverman, Certified Marketing Professional and Member Institute of Residential Marketing is a licensed real estate broker who will help identify the different levels of licenses and what to look for in selecting inspectors and realtors. Paul also covers how to use the Internet to find what and who you need quickly.

Solving the Climate Equation - Reduce Emissions with Natural Gas

Steve Landrum, manager of Marketing Communications at CenterPoint Energy, brings to the show over 25 years of industry experience in the design, implementation and communication of energy efficiency and conservation programs for both electricity and natural gas. Steve has spoken extensively on the on the topic of “real energy efficiency” to architects, engineers, state legislators and regulators and numerous business and community organizations.

Featured Areas - Open All Show Hours

Buds & Blossoms Plant Sale

Your garden grows beautifully with plants from Buds & Blossoms. Visit booth 221 all hours of the show and don't miss owner Fred Billings' presentations that will help you get your garden growing.

Greening the American Dream

Green building is moving from buzzword to behavior and the Greater Houston Builders Association is a leading voice of the green movement. Visit this interactive structure created by the Houston Green Building Initiative to learn more about healthy, energy and water efficient homes that reduce utility costs and use recycled, renewable and/or reclaimed materials that protect the environment.

Best Buy Home Theater and Appliance Showcase

Visit the Best Buy booth showcasing the hottest home theater products and services, and their appliance booth for the latest in stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers and more.

Summer Scapes

City of Houston's POWER to People Campaign

Representatives from the City of Houston's Power to People campaign provide an illuminating look into our green future and how you can participate in the dynamic plans to make Houston the most energy-efficient place on the planet!