SAN DIEGO—Capital markets, urban infill, home construction and design trends, age-qualified communities and new community branding are top of mind issues to be tackled at this week's PCBC conference here, but there's an even greater challenge to homebuilders, this year's co-chairs Bill and Dawn Davidson tell GlobeSt.com. As they prepare for the conference today and Thursday, we spoke exclusively with the pair about the event and some of the main issues to be covered in sessions.
GlobeSt.com: What is your expected attendance at PCBC this year?
Davidson and Davidson: Total attendance this year is expected to reach 10,000.
GlobeSt.com: What are some of the key topics trending at PCBC this year?
Davidson and Davidson: Based on data from a survey to our attendees we conducted earlier this month, we know that capital markets, urban infill, home construction and design trends, age-qualified communities and new-community branding are top of mind. Additionally, industry issues such as overcoming the labor shortage and new requirements and innovations in water conservation are a major focus of our attendees and the industry at large. In fact, California's water crisis is dominating the news, and as new restrictions are announced, homebuilders want accurate, up-to-the-minute, relevant insight to learn how this crisis will impact residential development and building across the state—today and into the future.
PCBC has responded by organizing the California Water Forum Wednesday, June 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This homebuilding-focused, half-day program will bring together top California government officials, water experts, business leaders, regulators and academics. We'll tackle the immediate impacts of the drought, explore creative solutions and review legislative actions statewide.
GlobeSt.com: What is on the minds of builders and other industry stakeholders today?
Davidson and Davidson: Business growth as it relates to finding great people and tradesman is a major focus. Companies are very challenged because there are significant labor shortages in various markets. It is difficult not only to find trades that can meet deadlines and deliver quality products and services, but also to find industry professionals such as architects, designers, purchasing agents, marketing professionals, etc. Companies that are experiencing growth are experiencing the inability to find and hire talented people who can hit the ground running.
Another focus is keeping up with and bringing to the market new technology. Major changes in home technology are happening before our eyes, and the biggest challenge to today's homebuilders is how to afford and introduce it to the marketplace as it unfolds.
GlobeSt.com: What are some of the event's key highlights this year? Are you introducing anything new?
Davidson and Davidson: PCBC's exhibit floor has increased year to year because companies are taking larger footprints than they have in the past. From 2014 to 2015, we've expanded by more than 10,000 square feet. On the floor, we're featuring the Smarter Home Showcase, Theater and Show Home, the Yard and the Parade of Products (POP@ PCBC).
PCBC's new Smarter Home Showcase is a destination area within the exhibit hall, exploring the ways innovation and technology are shaping the way we live. More than 30 companies will be exhibiting in this area and featuring products and solutions that create a smarter, more connected home, from technology to water conservation, entertainment to energy efficiency. The Theater also offers 20-minute, information-packed presentations that focus on innovations underway; how companies identified a problem, researched an issue, employed technology and created a solution. The Yard is a recreational space featuring the Kitchen Restaurant, Cabana Bar, ping-pong table, seating and charging stations, social-media billboards, a vintage Volkwagen bus doubling as a photo booth and live music. And the Parade of Products is PCBC's annual award program and represents the best in innovation and new-product solutions. Seventeen POP@PCBC award winners have been selected by a panel of industry judges, rated according to solution base, innovation, practical application and design. With this year's entries, we are celebrating the return to post-recession research and development within the industry.
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