We’re planning on having more education at the 2010 State Convention than we have in the past. We've rounded up some of the best local, state, and national experts to speak on a range of excellent topics. There's education for builder and associate members. 

Most convention education courses will be approved for Certified Master Builder credit. The following classes qualify for NAHB University of Housing continuing education credit.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) indicates an additional registration fee is required.

June 21, 2010
*Builder Assessment Review (BAR) Exam
The Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation is your sign to clients and colleagues that you are a member of this respected group of professionals. The Builder Assessment Review (BAR) is your first step towards obtaining this prestigious designation. This comprehensive course assessment will measure your expertise in five key areas of the building industry: Building Technology, Business and Finance, Project Management, Sales and Marketing and Safety. Your results will show you the areas where your knowledge is strongest, where it is weakest, and will determine the courses required for you to obtain your CGB.
*Registration fees for this exam are in addition to convention registration fees. 

Construction Contracts & Legal Q&A
Did you miss last year's instructional course on the HBASC-Endorsed New Home Sales Contract? Are you using the contract but have questions? Real estate attorney and HBA member Ken Ormand will review the provisions of this important document prepared exclusively for South Carolina’s home builders, which is available for use by HBASC members through your local HBA. By your questions, comments, and experience, you can learn the value of this document for home builders.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 3 CEUs - Business Management

*Estimating for Builders and Remodelers
NAHB instructor Andy Barber will teach you how to develop winning bids and use estimates as a powerful management tool. This course for remodelers and small- to mid-volume builders addresses one of the most challenging topics in building today – estimating. After this course you will have an appreciation of the importance of estimating, knowledge of how to create an estimating system and the ability to implement an estimating system. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to value the importance of quality estimating; use different types of estimates and ways to estimate; apply proven steps in the estimating process to develop winning bids; and implement technology programs to help you estimate.
*Registration fees for this class are in addition to convention registration fees.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 8 CEUs - Business Management

Green Technology
Find out how audio visual technology fits into green building practices. Presented by Custom Audio Video’s Iain Brown, you will learn about green consumer electronics, manufacturer programs and intiatives, home integration/automation, remote controls, Energy Star, and much more. You’ll walk away with a tools to help your customers better understand green technology components.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CUEs - Technology

*Professional Remodeler Experience Profile (PREP) Exam
The Professional Remodeler Experience Profile is the required first step in the process of becoming a Certified Graduate Remodeler™ (CGR). It is a 3-hour, 130 multiple-choice question assessment that measures a candidate’s knowledge in five core areas of remodeling business management: Marketing and Sales Business Administration Design, Estimating and Job Cost Contracts, Liability and Risk Management Project Management Candidates do not pas or fail the PREP. Results determine the course of study for CGR candidates.
*Registration fees for this exam are in addition to convention registration fees.

Southern Yellow Pine: Sustainability and Applications
Learn about southern yellow pine and the advantages of using it in your designs. This course compares and contrasts the differences between southern yellow pine and conventional choices. Through a discussion on life cycle analysis, you will walk away with an understanding of what makes this a sustainable building product choice. Billy Taylor, Director of Sustainability at Cox Industries, Inc., will teach you about the impact on building structures, historically and today; about the sustainable attributes; how the by-products and waste of southern yellow pine are reusable; about the characteristics of southern yellow pine; and other qualities.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Technical

June 22, 2010
What's New in the International Residential Code and State Modifications
Every builder and remodeler needs to be updated on the latest changes in the International Residential Code (IRC). This year at convention, you'll have two chances to take this important class. Mike Lowman, HBASC codes council chairman, will provide a thorough review and explanation of the significant changes for the 2009 IRC and the adopted South Carolina Modifications that will be implement on January 1, 2011. This course is a must attend to be prepared to build in the new year.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Technical

Business Planning for Contractors
Are you facing downsizing or have you aleady been there? Having a good business plan is the basis of any successful business. In this class, you'll how to create an effective business plan for the changing economy. Dixon Hughes CPA Sarah Windham will discuss issues in the economy that many businesses are facing, like downsizing, staffing, and figuring out how to turn the bad into good, as well as the basics of business planning that will carry your business into the future. 
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Business Management

Forget the Bling: It's Time to Blog
There’s more to social media than Facebook, Twitter, Posterous and Linkedin. While these sites are certainly “hot” today, don’t get distracted by the bling-bling of sites that you don’t own. Find out how to make your blog the engine of your social media program for an effective tried and true strategy that will take you from 0 to 60. Carol Flammer, author of Social Media for Home Builders: It’s Easier Than You Think shows you how your blog will power the social networks and make your entire program easier to manage and get results!
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Business Management

Quickbooks: Contractors Edition
Get a refresher on Quickbooks basics and learn something new too!  Dixon Hughes Quickbooks expert Jamie Habeck will teach you about specific tasks that builders and remodelers can benefit from in Quickbooks: Contractors Edition. Topics range from setting up a company file and online banking to creating estimates and payroll.  If Jamie skipped over a topic, just ask her a question. 
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Business Management 

Social Media for Home Builders
Social media isn't just for teenagers anymore! Learn how home builders, developers and others in the real estate industry are using social media for a competitive advantage. From social medai to socail networking, see case studies of how builders are benefiting from blogging, FaceBook, Twitter, ActiveRain, Trulia and other sites. Get started with the right sites and strategy with tips and insight from social media expert Carol Flammer, MIRM. The author of "Social Media for Home Builders: It's Easier Than You Think."
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Business Management

Small Home, Big Impact: Maximizing Livability in a Smaller Home
Smaller homes is becoming the newest trend in home plans. Learn how you can maximize the livability of small homes for your clients. Darlene Fuhst of Donald A. Gardner, Inc., will talk about housing trends with regard to size and advantages of living in a smaller home - like lower utilities and green living. You'll also learn how to make rooms feel larger through the use of high ceilings, natural light and color. And what about wasted space and storage? You'll see photographs, floor plans, and other illustrations to help you understand how to maximzie the livability in smaller homes.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 2 CEUs - Technical 

June 23, 2010 
Focus Four Safety Hazards
Every member of the Self Insurers Fund needs annual safety training, and we're giving you a prime opportunity to get your training completed. In this class, Danny Dilworth covers the "Focus Four" hazards in residential construction, likefalls, electrocution, caught-in, and struck-by hazards. You'll see actual job site examples of safe and unsafe work environments. You'll also walk away refreshed on workers' comp claims, medical care, and how to reduce the cost of claims.
Certified Master Builder Credit: 3 CEUs - Business Management

Legal Liabilities of Green Building
Course description and CMB credit coming soon!

 Convention Registration Packet