More than 110,000 builders, general contractors, remodelers, designers, flooring professionals, and  product specifiers from around the globe were in attendance for NAHB's 2016 International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas. Included in that group were dozens of BATC members and staff.

2015 was a good year for the Twin Cities housing market according to the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®. The metro area finished the year with 56,390 closed sales, up 13.7 percent from 2014, marking the most closed sales in a year since 2005. Take a look at the charts that prove that. 

Minnesota employers ended the year with another strong month of job growth. According to the Department of of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) the state gained 9,100 jobs in December. Minnesota’s total number of jobs added in 2015 was 42,485 jobs, up 1.5 percent from 2014. Nationally, the job growth rate was 1.9 percent for the year. 

This Week's BATC Related Headlines

Eden Prairie Represented in BATC 2016 Board of Directors
The Eden Prairie Sun Current's coverage of our new board including local board members. Read more >>

MN Construction Sector Gains 1,300 Jobs in December
BATC executive director David Siegel spoke with finance and commerce about industry jobs.
Read more >>

Small Volume Builders Committee Roundtable
February 17th, 12:00 noon, lunch served (open to builders only) at BATC
Inbound Marketing
Learn how to effectively leverage today’s technology to attract targeted prospects to your website. Get your free website review/score too. Presented by Jenna Engel, Inbound Marketing Specialist at Jul Creative.

Free! RSVP to Wendy@batc.org to save your space and learn how to get your free web review.

Remodelers Roundtable
February 18th, 2:00 pm at BATC
Houzz Workshop
Bring your laptop and be prepared to build your own Houzz profile, or learn best practices to make your current page better. Learn about Ideabooks and more so you’ll be able to attract new clients and promote your brand with Houzz.

Free! RSVP to Katy@batc.org to save your spot.

Hiring? We can help!

Booth space is almost sold out for the 2015 BATC Job & Career Fair in the Mall of America Rotunda. Don't miss your chance to speak to hundreds of interested job candidates at this year's fair. If you need workers, this is the place to be.  

Thursday, February 18, 2016 - Noon-4:00 PM
Mall of America Rotunda
Details and booth registration: www.TCBuilderJobs.org

Participating businesses include:
AMEK Custom Builders, Arrow Building Center, Brush Masters, Culligan Water Conditioning, Dakota County Lumber Company, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, Finished Basement Company, FocalPoint Flooring Cabinets & Design, Fullerton Companies, Hedberg Supply, idc-automatic Garage Door, Installed Building Solutions II, JL Schwieters Building Supply Construction Inc, Lyman Companies, Minnesota Rusco, Pella Windows & Doors, Plekkenpol Builders, Inc., Residential Science Resources, Roberts' Residential Remodeling, Scherer Bros. Lumber Co., Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co., Solar Midwest, Inc. - Solatube, Solid, Tradesmen International, Twin Cities Siding Professionals, VUJOVICH Design Build, Inc., and Warners’ Stellian.

You Are a Member. Now What?

Our new KickStart Membership Events will boost your BATC ROI. Members old and new are welcome.

You Will Discover:
- How to best use BATC’s consumer marketing
- How we communicate
- What’s happening in the industry
- Getting your CE credits
- Best way to connect and network
- How members serve the community
- Feb. 10, 2016  from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm at BATC.
- Free to all members.

Design and Win!

Fun, Funky, Classy, Stylish Little Library Designs Wanted by February 19th! 

Get out your drawing pencil and show us your design chops! The BATC Young Professionals and SPAAR Community Engagement Committee are ready to build three Free Little Libraries from your designs. Winning designers will be named on the libraries and included in our press releases/events. And to add even more incentive, we’ll be awarding prizes worth up to $100 including; Cities 97 Studio C Passes, Mall of America ride wristbands, Spirit Mountain lifts tickets and more.

Does your company use Salesforce?  

Would you be interested in talking with other people in the construction industry who are also using Salesforce?  Join us on Friday, February 5, at 9 am at the BATC office to see how other companies are using Salesforce, plus we'll share best practices and resources. Just curious about Salesforce?  You’re welcome too!  Contact Perri Graham-Raff with questions.

Earn Your CE Credits at Contractor University!

Contractor-U runs through March 2016. Sign up for courses on building/energy codes and the latest building science featuring national and local experts. Plus, a selection of legal and specialized courses that you will not find anywhere else. 

Most daylong courses (7 credits) are only $98 with individual courses as low as $14. Coming on February 23, "Building for High Performance" with internationally recognized industry consultant, educator, and much sought after presenter, Mark LaLiberte. 

Jan. 28
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Feb. 2
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Feb. 4 
Contractor University: EPA Lead Renovator Initial Certification Course [Register]
Feb. 9
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Feb. 10
Member KickStart [Register]
Feb. 11
Contractor University: Mold Remediation course [Register]
Feb 17.
Small Volume Builders Roundtable: Inbound Marketing [RSVP]
Feb. 18
Remodelers Roundtable: Houzz Workshop [RSVP]
Feb. 18
BATC Job & Career Fair [Register]
Feb. 20
Parade of Homes Opens
Feb. 23
Contractor University: Building for High Performance [Register]
Feb. 25
Contractor University: New Home Construction from Permit Application to Final Inspection [Register]
Mar. 1
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Mar. 8
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Mar. 22
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Mar. 24
Contractor University: EPA Lead Renovator Refresher Certification Course [Register]
Mar. 29 & 30
Contractor University: Universal Design/Build NAHB [Register]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.