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BizCon North 2024 Sessions

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Early Arrival Mixer - Pre Event

2/5/2024 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location
Nine Mile Creek Room
Summary
Arriving early? Join BLD and the Board of Directors for a casual, come-and-go 'Early Arrival Mixer' from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the 'Nine Mile Creek Room' at the DoubleTree Hotel. Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided while supplies last. (This event is not intended to replace your dinner plans!)

Board Meeting (Invitation Only)

2/6/2024 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location
Bloomington Room
Summary
BLD Connection Board of Directors Meeting - Board members, please indicate your attendance by registering for the meeting here.

Opening General Session & Lunch - Day 1

2/6/2024 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Location
Garden Court
Speakers
  • Joe Schmit
    Joe Schmit is an award-winning broadcaster, community leader and popular keynote speaker. He joined KSTP-TV in 1985 and has won 18 Emmys from the National Television Academy. He was also honored with the Emmy's Silver Circle designation for extraordinary contributions to the television industry. As a speaker, Joe was inducted into the Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame in 2019. He also has earned the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation which only 15 percent of speakers nationally attain. Joe is past president and board member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Twin Cities. He was the winner of the Jim Kelly Distinguished Service Award from Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Odyssey Award for commitment to youth mentorship. Joe was also honored as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Community Leader of the Year in 2005. Joe and his wife Laura chaired a 5.5 million dollar capital campaign for VEAP, the largest food shelf in Minnesota. www.joeschmit.com joe@joeschmit.com twitter: @joeschmitkstp www.linkedin.com/in/joe-schmit-speaker Facebook-Joe Schmit
Summary
Join us on Tuesday for the Opening General Session. You’ll be served lunch while BLD welcomes you with important BizCon announcements to set the tone for the event and make sure you know what to expect. This will be followed by a short membership meeting with BLD news and updates and capped off with our keynote speaker, Joe Schmit. Keynote Overview: The elite organization today creates an environment where employees really want to be there, be productive and feel valued. This happens ONLY when organizations create an atmosphere of compassion, connection and clarity. In this high-energy presentation, Joe Schmit will help us all become more aware and intentional with the impact we have on each other. It's a game changer for your company culture and your personal growth. Must have All Access Pass in order to attend this event and must indicate your intention to attend IN ADVANCE.

Exhibit Hall - Day 1

2/6/2024 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Location
Grand & Veranda Ballrooms
Summary
The 2024 BLD BizCon exhibit hall is the hub for idea sharing, solutions, and networking opportunities you won’t find elsewhere. This core function of the event features an assortment of LBM product-related vendor booths, installation presentations, an opportunity to support a charity event, snacks and beverages, exhibit hall happy hour, contests with prizes, an energetic “buzz” and more! Exhibit hall and encompassed activities are available to Trade Show Pass holders and All Access Pass holders.

"Brews & Bites Bash" Evening Reception - Day 1

2/6/2024 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Location
Garden Court
Summary
Join BLD at the “Brews & Bites Bash” Evening Reception. Enjoy great food, great drinks, and even greater company! Light hors d'oeuvres and up to two drinks per person provided. (Cash bar is also available.) This event is not intended to replace your dinner plans! Must have All Access Pass in order to attend this event and must indicate your intention to attend IN ADVANCE.

Sales Seminar "Time to Brush Away the Prospecting Cobwebs" - Day 2

2/7/2024 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Location
Edina Room
Speakers
  • Mike McDole
    Mike McDole has been in the pro-dealer industry for 40+ years. After 20 years w/National Lumber Co. (New England), the last 12 years as SVP, he started Firing-Line LBM Advisors in 2021 and has dealer clients throughout the US. In his time w/NLC they grew from 3 locs & $94mm to 14 locs & $470mm w/ 44 OSR’s. McDole’s consulting expertise is in sales management; increase sales profitably; prospecting; bottom-line improvement; metrics to improve efficiency; and more. He writes regular columns for a trade magazine & has spoken at numerous conferences. Mike has also been a guest on webinars with Bradley Hartmann, Rick Davis, Craig Webb, and Thea Dudley. He is also a special presenter for Bradley Hartmann’s OSR Academy. McDole is also involved with Greg Brooks’ Executive Council. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mcdole-61010431/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.mcdole.lbm/
Summary
For the past several years prospecting was put in the back of the closet buried under old clothes. Many salespeople had a hard enough time keeping up with the onslaught of orders coming in, along with manufacturer’s lead-times. Housing starts climbed year over year since 2012, which means if a salesperson started in the last 10 years, most likely they have only seen increases year after year. Which means many, if not most, salespeople have not had to hone their prospecting skills, or even learn to prospect. Mike McDole has over 40 years of experience, including being an OSR early in his career and was in LBM Sales Management for over 20 years. For the last 12 years at National Lumber in New England (4 states, 14 locs, 45 OSR’s) he was their SVP of Sales. Mike has first-hand experience regarding prospecting and getting salespeople to prospect. This presentation will cover such things as … how to find & research prospects; what to say and not to say when communicating with a prospect; active listening; asking probing questions; how to quantify what differentiates your company from the competition; and more. Must have All Access Pass in order to attend this event.

Seminar: The Solutions Room - Day 2

2/7/2024 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Location
Bloomington Room
Speakers
  • Ari Cook (OECS) - Safety
  • Dena Cordova-Jack (Misura Group) - Leadership/Culture
  • Emily Overson - Financials
  • Federated Insurance - Succession Planning
  • Jeremy Brand (WorkSafeWorkSmart.com) - Lean Operations
  • Sunny Bowman & Sadie Williams (Dakota County Lumber) - Marketing
Summary
Step into the Solutions Room and ask your burning questions on business operations. Industry leaders with creative solutions to many of today’s business challenges will be answering questions and sharing their ideas with dealers as they circulate around the room. Each table will have an expert discussing a different topic. You may stay at that table or move amongst them to get all your questions answered. Along with the topic experts, the Solutions Room also offers the opportunity to connect with fellow dealers and exchange ideas. Must have All Access Pass in order to attend this event. Must have All Access Pass in order to attend this event.

Exhibit Hall - Day 2

2/7/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location
Grand & Veranda Ballrooms
Summary
Day 2 of of LBM product-related vendor booths, installation presentations, an opportunity to support a charity event, snacks and beverages, contests with prizes, an energetic “buzz” and more! Exhibit hall and encompassed activities are available to Trade Show Pass holders and All Access Pass holders.

Closing General Session & Lunch - Day 2

2/7/2024 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Location
Garden Court
Speakers
  • Matt Saunders - Senior Vice President, Building Products John Burns Research & Consulting
    Matt leads analysis on some of the toughest building product topics in the country, including product-level insights for our forecasts. Prior to joining John Burns Real Estate Consulting, Matt worked as the Senior Manager Economic and Market Analytics for Fortune Brands Home and Security. There he led econometric forecasting and research which drove the market outlook process. Most recently he was the Senior Manager Economic Planning for TTX Company where he led modeling and forecasts of North American intermodal rail loadings and provided updates to stakeholders on economic conditions.
Summary
Join us for lunch while BLD Connection announces award dinners, disperses prizes to contest winners, and closes with our keynote speaker, Matt Saunders, who will discuss the 2024 economic outlook for the industry. The Fed was initially behind the curve in its objective to maintain low and stable inflation. What followed was the most aggressive rate tightening cycle in a generation. Interest rates are expected to remain higher for longer. This backdrop presents risks to both housing and the broader economy in 2024, while the industry is favorably positioned for longer term growth. Matt will discuss the short- and long-term outlook for the new construction and remodeling markets. How did we get here? Where are there pockets of strength? And what are the opportunities and challenges on the horizon? Must have All Access Pass in order to attend this event and must indicate your intention to attend IN ADVANCE.
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