Comments on: A Year Full of Building Science Conferences

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 18:11:36 +0000

Armando: I
Armando: I've never been to IBS, but next year I'll go. For the past 6 or 7 years, the talk about it was that it was a shadow of its former self. This year there's a lot of buzz about it.

Leigha D.: Oh, that's a hard question. Given your background and position, though, I'd say maybe the Passive House conference in Chicago. There's a lot of high level building science sessions there, and you don't have to be doing PH projects to benefit by that. (Disclosure: I'm on the board of PHIUS, but I'd still make the same recommendation even if I weren't.)

Dan W.: Thanks! I'd meant to put the Better Buildings conferences in there, since I spoke at the one in Chicago in 2013.

Chris D.: Well, you never know. I just might show up there this year. You could increase the odds, though, if you moved it to skiing season!

Colin G.: Sounds like a great format.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:11:36 +0000

Armando: I
Armando: I've never been to IBS, but next year I'll go. For the past 6 or 7 years, the talk about it was that it was a shadow of its former self. This year there's a lot of buzz about it.     Leigha D.: Oh, that's a hard question. Given your background and position, though, I'd say maybe the Passive House conference in Chicago. There's a lot of high level building science sessions there, and you don't have to be doing PH projects to benefit by that. (Disclosure: I'm on the board of PHIUS, but I'd still make the same recommendation even if I weren't.)    Dan W.: Thanks! I'd meant to put the Better Buildings conferences in there, since I spoke at the one in Chicago in 2013.    Chris D.: Well, you never know. I just might show up there this year. You could increase the odds, though, if you moved it to skiing season!    Colin G.: Sounds like a great format.

By: Colin Genge

Colin Genge — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 07:54:28 +0000

Habitat X is the most
Habitat X is the most valuable conference I have been to for owners and managers searching for ways to make their business current. The best thinkers in our industry is there and unlike others where on person talks to a room full; here the whole room gets in on most issues.

You will also be on first name basis with these industry leaders from day one and will have a great time to boot.

By: Colin Genge

Colin Genge — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:54:28 +0000

Habitat X is the most
Habitat X is the most valuable conference I have been to for owners and managers searching for ways to make their business current. The best thinkers in our industry is there and unlike others where on person talks to a room full; here the whole room gets in on most issues.    You will also be on first name basis with these industry leaders from day one and will have a great time to boot.

By: Chris Dorsi

Chris Dorsi — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:44:52 +0000

This is another great article
This is another great article, Allison, and I have to agree with most of your observations. The world of professional conferences has evolved vastly in recent years, and serious professionals can now shop for events that deliver the specific benefits they need to expand their careers.

But faced with this list of seemingly similar conferences, how does a potential attendee judge from among these providers? For starters, I'd look for these attributes:

A Participatory Format -- that allows you to be a player and not just an attendee. Don't settle for sitting in the back of the room watching experts talk!

Extended Professional Networks -- that begin before the event and extend for at least a year afterward. Ask about the newsletters, conference calls, and personal support you'll receive as part of your registration.

The Right People -- in attendance at the event. Because in the end, it is the professional connections you create at these events that make it worth the time and money to attend. Find out who goes to the events, and ask yourself if they share your professional interests and values.

And since you haven't had a chance to attend the Habitat X Conferences, I think that the folks in your network would be interested to know that these three benefits are all in ample supply at the Habitat X Summer National Conference.

But don't take it from me. Check out what the participants have to say:
http://www.habitatx.com/participants/

OK -- keep up the good work, and consider joining us this summer. :)

-- Chris Dorsi. Founder, Habitat X

By: Chris Dorsi

Chris Dorsi — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:44:52 +0000

This is another great article
This is another great article, Allison, and I have to agree with most of your observations. The world of professional conferences has evolved vastly in recent years, and serious professionals can now shop for events that deliver the specific benefits they need to expand their careers.

But faced with this list of seemingly similar conferences, how does a potential attendee judge from among these providers? For starters, I’d look for these attributes:

A Participatory Format – that allows you to be a player and not just an attendee. Don’t settle for sitting in the back of the room watching experts talk!

Extended Professional Networks – that begin before the event and extend for at least a year afterward. Ask about the newsletters, conference calls, and personal support you’ll receive as part of your registration.

The Right People – in attendance at the event. Because in the end, it is the professional connections you create at these events that make it worth the time and money to attend. Find out who goes to the events, and ask yourself if they share your professional interests and values.

And since you haven’t had a chance to attend the Habitat X Conferences, I think that the folks in your network would be interested to know that these three benefits are all in ample supply at the Habitat X Summer National Conference.

But don’t take it from me. Check out what the participants have to say:
http://www.habitatx.com/participants/&nbsp" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.habitatx.com/participants/">http://www.habitatx.com/participants/ 

OK — keep up the good work, and consider joining us this summer. :)

– Chris Dorsi. Founder, Habitat X

By: Dan Wildenhaus

Dan Wildenhaus — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:58:37 +0000

I’d also recommend the Better
I’d also recommend the Better Buildings conferences for those that work in mixed humid or cold climates. Guess what you’ll find at these conferences that you just don’t see as much others? A bunch of contractors! I spoke twice at the 2012 conference in Wisconsin and had packed rooms that were there to learn, not because anyone in Wisconsin had ever heard of Dan Wildenhaus 🙂 http://www.ecw.org/betterbuildings 

Also, for Raters, look into some of the small Rater fests/camps put on by providers and regional programs. I know of at least three: Rater Boot Camp NC, Rater Boot Camp NW, RaterFest. All are small 100 person of fewer micro conferences where Raters and national experts share housing, sessions, meals and fun. I go to at least two of these every year, sometimes using my own vacation time as I find them so valuable.
Good Post AB3

By: Leigha Dickens

Leigha Dickens — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:11:42 +0000

How very timely, I was tasked
How very timely, I was tasked to propose some conferences to go to this year, and then look at the post title there in my inbox! In your opinion, Allison, if a fellow east-coaster could only pick just ONE to go to this year...what would it be?

By: Armando

Armando — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:51:40 +0000

I just came back from IBS. It
I just came back from IBS. It’s a great conference for Builders and Designers. Within a dozen educational tracks, here are a million presentations and demos about any topic you may want to be interested. The usual suspects were there, including Dr. Joe, Carl, Gord, Mark, Peter, etc., etc. The New American House is always an over the top demo for new products for the high-end and high-performing crowd.
NAHB has partnered up with the NKBA to provide better value and added benefit to the attendees. I spent all 3 days attending the design corridors. Great presentation to look at what is trending for the next year. It’s a must for me, but I highly recommend it to Homebuilders and Designers.
And let’s not forget the extra curriculum activities of Las Vegas. Is too bad I can report a word of what I witnessed there... as the say, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. Cheers, I’m going back to bed.

By: Dan Wildenhaus

Dan Wildenhaus — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:58:37 +0000