With summer here, it is a perfect time to plan for your next business vacation.

Industry conventions and trade shows can be a great way to refresh your team and get inspired by new products.  Whether attending as an exhibitor or as a guest networking on the floor, industry events can provide a reason to regroup and assess which of your own products or services can use an upgrade.  In addition to the trade show floor, there may also be educational programs or seminars that can assist you in upping your game and staying “in the know” on the latest trends in home building.

With summertime officially here in just one month, it’s only natural to begin thinking about the next family vacation or getaway.  Although personal breaks are important, don’t forget to provide the same opportunities for recharging your team and business.  Choosing the right event for your company is a good place to start… You will want to make sure there are networking opportunities, product previews of interest and educational programs that suit your needs.  Logistics are also a major factor.  You will need to plan ahead to ensure that travel and related expenses have been factored in and fit your budget.  Whether you are making time this summer or simply need some ideas for the coming year, here is a list of industry tradeshows and events that are worth checking out this summer:

• BOAF Annual Conference & Expo, June 5-9, 2016 (Clearwater, FL) – Although this event is presented by the Building Officials Association of Florida, this expo is not designed solely for Building Officials. The BOAF Annual Conference & Expo caters to various building professionals and offers educational sessions from Florida building code to business ethics. The program runs for five days, but if you just want to attend the expo, plan on being there for two (June 6-7).
• Build Expo Houston, July 13-14, 2016 (Houston, TX) –  The Houston Build Expo takes place at the NRG Center this summer. Along with demos of thousands of products and services, their website lists a variety of seminars and educational sessions that are complimentary to attendees.
• FWCCA Annual Convention & Trade Show, July 21-24, 2016 (Orlando, FL) – The Florida Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association is holding their annual trade show in Orlando this summer. With ten guest speakers and educational sessions each day, this event provides a nice summer getaway for industry professionals who focus in this area of home building.
• Brevard Home and Garden Expo, July 23-24, 2016 (Melbourne, FL) – If you offer home and garden services in Central Florida, this event would be worth considering to be an exhibitor as it caters to the public. If not as an exhibitor, it is also a great way to see what other home builders are offering in the area.
• Southeast Building Conference, July 27-30, 2016 (Kissimmee, FL) – A great summertime event, SEBC is in its 28th year. It is the largest building industry trade show in the Southeast, and it offers three days of educational seminars and more than 200 exhibitors.
• Home and Garden Expo of Oklahoma, July 29-31, 2016 (Tulsa, OK) – Just as most Home and Garden Expos, this event in Oklahoma caters to the public interested in home improvement products and services. If you offer services in Oklahoma, attending as an exhibitor can provide exposure for your business, while attending as a guest can allow you to connect and network with similar businesses in the area.
• Sunbelt Builders Show, August 3-4, 2016 (Grapevine, TX) – Operated by the Texas Association of Builders, this show is one of the largest of its kind in the country. According to its site, this show draws thousands of residential construction industry professionals and offers more than 200 exhibit booths. Taking place at the Gaylord Texan Resort, it is a convenient location for HBW subscribers in Dallas.

For tips on getting the most out of your tradeshow experience, check out last year’s post on planning for industry events.  For more information on construction business tips and industry updates, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.