Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/609009
DECEMBER 2015 18 THE JOURNAL BY BRUCE SAVAGE COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT Taking Advantage of Key Information That's Readily Available Fully understanding information on what's happening in the housing marketplace and what's likely to happen in the short- and medium-term is an essential element in making money in today's housing arena. Gaining ac- cess to this information and understanding its implications has to be a key priority for 2016. One of the best places to access and analyze key housing industry information is at industry trade shows where real-world experience merges with those looking forward in both traditional and new markets. The 2016 Louisville Manu- factured Housing Show, being held Jan. 20- 22, 2016 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, is such a unique opportunity where practical ex- perience blends with new trends and new ways of looking at traditional housing developments. Just as an example, the educational seminars outlined on the show's web site www.Louisville- ManufacturedHousingShows.com gives you a quick overview of some industry trends and in- formation that can have a direct, positive im- pact on how you approach your housing marketplace. For example, the timely issue of Internet marketing in the time of SMART phones will be the lead off seminar on the first morning of the show and will offer the latest developments on how the rapidly growing use of SMART tele- phones are being used more and more by people searching to buy a home. Another seminar will feature a panel discus- sion of five manufactured home community owners and operators discussing how they ap- proaching the replacement of homes in their communities and what this means to their bot- tom lines and the industry as a whole. A senior MHI official will provide an in- depth perspective on what's likely to happen at the federal and state capitol levels during the upcoming election cycle. Such information can be a critical element as you plan for the next year. Better understanding the expanding Hispanic housing marketplace and its many opportunities offers another way of selling more homes. One of the industry's leading companies in develop- ing special programs and initiatives successfully reaching this expanding market will share in- sights into what is working for them. "Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Profiting from the New Appraisal Rules" will examine how these new rules apply to manufactured home loans and how the industry is complying with them. One of the nation's largest, inde- pendent providers of market-based manufac- tured home appraisals will showcase how these rules work and demonstrate how these new reg- ulatory requirements can help sell more homes. The last seminar of the 2016 Show will have a particularly insightful presentation by Pamela Beck Danner, administrator of HUD's manu- factured housing program. She will give a per- sonal insight into key industry issues, such as attached garages, tiny homes and park models and how HUD plans to move forward on these issues in the near term. There will be plenty of time for a thorough discussion with the person directly responsible for setting the manufactured housing industry agenda on the national level. As you can see, this educational program- ming brings a full array of topics and issues that will have a direct impact on your business dur- ing the coming year. These seminars offer unique opportunities to learn more about the housing marketplace in 2016, while also offer- ing the largest gatherings of new manufactured homes in any one place in America. This show has become the number one event of the year in attendance…for two years running. There are reasons professional like you come to this event, year after year. It is the place to learn more, to earn more, and the best way to start off the new year developing your business strate- gies. There's no reason not to be in Louisville in January 2016 for the Louisville Manufactured Housing Show. To put it another way, YOU NEED TO BE THERE! Go to www.Louisville- ManufacturedHousingShows.com and sign up to be part of this important industry gathering. Your business will thank you! Bruce Savage is a national communications con- sultant to both for-profit and non-for-profit clients around the country. He formed Savage Communi- cations Strategies five yeas ago to assist these clients with innovative approaches to challenging commu- nications situations. He also recently formed www.AmericanHousingAdvocates.com with Suzanne Felber to highlight on new social media how manufactured homes offer tremendous oppor- tunities to millions of Americans seeking quality housing at affordable prices. Savage served for more than 16 years as the vice president of communica- tions for the Manufactured Housing Institute and he continues to work with manufactured housing in- dustry members with various types of communica- tions and marketing programs. He can be reached at 202-664-4512 or bruce@savagestrategies.com. T J