1. It's about that time! 2016 Spring Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase registration opens online THIS Thursday. 
    
2. Are you in the middle of budgeting like we are? Don't forget to include BATC advertising and sponsorships in your 2016 budget!
    
3. Wanted! Dream Homes and Dream Remodeled Homes for the Spring tour— deadline to enter is November 9th, entry deadline for the Spring Parade of Homes is Nov. 23rd. Email Perri for details.

Over 600 people attended this year’s Building Industry Gala at Mystic Lake where we presented all of our 2015 awards together at one BIG event. Thank you to everyone who attended. Watch the highlight video above and stay tuned for more video from the event to come.

Congrats to all of our 2015 award winners! In all, 99 tropheys were handed out, including our two new awards the MN Green Path Leadership award, that went to JMS Custom Homes, and the Rising Star Award that went to Andy Michels of Bob Michels Construction. For the full list of 2015 winners click here. View the full photo gallery from the evening here.

BATC Related Headlines: 

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Not Required for One- and Two-Family Homes
League of Minnesota Cities weighs in on the MN Court of Appeals sprinkler ruling. Read more >>

Nationally, home construction is on pace to hit a post-recession high this year, but a fundamental problem is preventing an even sharper ramp-up: a shortage of places to put the units. USA Today believes the reasons behind the lot shortages are regualtions, limited financing and less land in larger cities. Read more >>

It's that time of the year again! BATC's newly renamed Contractor University is set to start class this December and will run through March 2016. Don't miss the first course!
 

New Home Construction from Permit Application to Final Inspection 
Peter Kulczyk, Green Codes Knowledge
When: December 15, 2015 - 8 AM to 3:30 PM
What: 7 hours of Credits: MN & WI Contractor (includes MN Energy), MN Real Estate
Price: $98 per person - includes lunch
Where: Builders Association of the Twin Cities Seminar Room – 2960 Centre Pointe Drive, Roseville, MN 55113

This full-day program will focus on the construction process for a single family home in Minnesota under the provisions of the 2015 Minnesota Residential Code and 2015 Minnesota Energy Code.

Learn the permit process, plan review, alternative materials and the inspection of the footings, foundations, waterproofing, foundation insulation options, framing, water-resistive barriers, exterior envelope, wall and attic insulation materials, vapor retarders, interior air barriers, thermal barriers, unvented roofs, emergency escape and rescue, roofing materials, guards, means of egress, emergency escape and rescue, wood-plastic composite materials and interior finishes.

Details and registration at www.ContractorU.com

Attention new members! Our next new member orientation is November 12th, from 11 AM to 1 PM. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about all things BATC! The cost is free to attend. Register here >> 

The date has been set for the keys of the specially adapted home to be handed over to Army Veteran Marco Solt and his family. The BATC Foundation would love to see a huge BATC crowd to celebrate the final step of this amazing project. 

Army SPC Marco Solt Key Ceremony
When: November 21, 2015 10:00 AM
Where: 6774 153rd Lane NW, Ramsey, MN 55303

A special thank you to all of the volunteers and donors to this project especially build partner Accent Homes.

Your Foundation’s newest program, HomeAid Twin Cities, is launching this fall with a little help from BATC’s Young Professionals (YPs). Our dedicated young BATC members will be facilitating a drive to provide necessities and gifts for the young  people who are served by Avenues for Homeless Youth. You can, too. Our YPs will be collecting items over the next two months, so please help if you can, and you’ll earn BATC Bucks when you do. Contact Heather Griffis if you have items to donate. Or, bring items to our December 3rd BATC Buck Auction at BATC. What we need >>

Nov. 21
Marco Solt Key Ceremony 
Dec. 3
BATC Buck Auction & Donation Drive [Register]
Dec. 15
Contractor University [Register]
Jan. 14
Annual Meeting & Board Induction
Jan. 20
BATC Hospitality Suite at IBS
Feb. 18
BATC Job & Career Fair [Register]

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