Housing News Advertisers Get Advance Peek at Housing News Weekly

As the HBA of Greater Springfield's award winning Housing News magazine readies for a major transformation in the weeks ahead, advertisers in the publication are receiving their first look at the beta version of the HBA's new Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter starting September 14.

In recent months and years, HBA members increasingly have asked that their HBA information be delivered in a real-time, user-friendly and electronic format, while still maintaining a promotional component that people can see, touch and feel. In response to this member demand, the HBA board of directors in July authorized the metamorphosis of the HBA Housing News monthly magazine into two new products: the HBA Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter and Housing News quarterly promotional publication.

The October issue of Housing News will be the final monthly magazine version of the publication. Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter will arrive in HBA member email inboxes starting Monday, October 5. The quarterly publication will commence in 2010. For two months now, HBA board members and staff have been receiving the electronic newsletter - making upgrades and improvements to the product along the way - before taking it to the full membership. This week, Housing News advertisers were added to the recipient list, in the hopes they too might provide meaningful input about the new product before the broader launch on October 5.

Housing News advertisers are provided with many advertising advantages in the new formats for the same or less financial commitment than they made in the monthly Housing News magazine. Among the advantages are greater frequency and accountability, measurable return on investment, and less cometitive clutter with large numbers of other advertisers.

HBA members interested in learning more about advertising opportunities in the Housing News Weekly E-Newsletter or in the Housing News quarterly mailer should contact Jennifer McClure to receive rate cards and discuss available options.

Despite the Downpour, Fishermen Reel 'Em In!

They got just a little soaked in the process, but the HBA's finest fishermen braved the elements and reeled 'em in on Table Rock Lake. The results:

1st Place: Adam Fox, Kevin Cheffey - 15.82 lbs

2nd Place: Kevin Brown, Kevin Clingan - 11.74 lbs

3rd Place: Chipper Solomon, Tyler Potter - 11.36 lbs

4th Place: John Kroutil, Don Gardner - 10.98 lbs

BIG BASS: Trent Cowherd & Steve Sherrill

Salute Council Planning 25th Annual Celebration

The first “Salute to Construction” in 1985 was one of twelve monthly salutes to various industries organized by the Chamber of Commerce. In subsequent years, representatives of the industry assumed responsibility for the annual celebration ourselves. To recognize the Chamber’s influence, the Kickoff Mixer and Proclamation Ceremony will be held at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, October 27, 5:15 p.m., featuring VIPs, hearty hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The Salute Banquet will be Thursday, November 5 at the Clarion Hotel, where these awards and others will be announced. Jim Anderson and Doug Jackson will be MC’s for this year’s celebration. Please call 862-1313 if you know of ANY awards or honors which should be recognized at the Banquet. Table Sponsors will be able to decorate a table at the Banquet for a donation of $75. (For more sponsorship information click here.)

$2500 in Scholarships to celebrate 25 years will be presented by the Salute Council at the Banquet on November 5. Five $500 awards will be made to individuals who have been displaced or adversely affected by the economic downturn and are going to school for education or training in a construction-related field. Call the SCA Office (862-1313) for applications. The deadline to apply is September 30.

Career Days: During the two-week period from October 27 through November 7, teams of speakers will visit area schools to talk about careers in construction. Be sure to fill out the volunteer form (click here to download) to participate in this extremely important activity.

The Photo Contest Entry Form can be downloaded by clicking here. You may again submit your photos online – see #5 and #6 on entry form. The deadline for submissions is October 1. The winning photos will be included in the Springfield Business Journal’s “Salute Supplement.” $400 in cash prizes will be awarded and all entries will be on display at the Salute Banquet. The rules are self explanatory but if you have any questions, please call 883-6044 or 862-1313.

You can download nomination forms for the Project of the Year Award and Developer of the Year Award from the Springfield Contractors Association Website by clicking here. The Project of the Year Award recognizes a single project, including the Owner, GC/CM and Design Team. The dollar size of the project is less important than the unique attributes of the project under consideration. This will allow smaller projects to be recognized as well as large ones. The “Developer of the Year” Award will continue to be awarded to an individual or entity whose project or projects have signifi cant impact on the community in both dollars and development. These awards come from the entire Association, so please share your ideas with us. The deadline is October 9, but there’s no reason to wait.