Why Renew? A Year of Record Growth and Connection
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BLD Connection members are proving the power of community. From record-setting education programs to expanded roundtables and training, your participation built opportunities none of us could create alone. As Wade Fenske of KBS Companies noted, “The camaraderie and support from fellow members have been invaluable.”
Associate Members feel it too. “Being part of BLD Connection has been a real difference-maker for both me and our business,” said Luke Guittar of Absolute Distribution. Together, Retail and Associate Members keep our industry strong.
Invoices were emailed and mailed to your main contact on September 22. You can pay directly through the link on the invoice or log in to the Member Info Hub.
Need help? Call us at (888) 544-6822 or email info@bldconnection.org.
Stay connected and keep building with us! |
Government Shutdown Enters Second Week |
Washington’s budget standoff has entered week two, triggering furloughs across federal agencies and uncertainty around the next funding vote. While immediate effects on the LBM sector are limited, a prolonged shutdown could weaken housing demand, tighten mortgage availability, and slow industry advocacy. NLBMDA is urging Congress to reach a swift agreement to keep the economy and our industry moving. |
Get Ready for Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Changes |
Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program begins January 1, 2026. Employers must notify employees by December 1, 2025 and prepare for new payroll contributions, compliance requirements, and leave administration processes.
Join us on November 4 for a complimentary webinar with Droel, PLLC to learn what employers need to do now to get ready. |
Connect and Learn Together at the 2026 BizCons |
What it means to be part of BLD Connection comes alive at the 2026 BizCons. These events bring together Retail and Associate Members for two days of education, networking, and partnership building.
Registration is now open! Join us to share ideas, discover new products, and strengthen the ties that keep our community moving forward. |
January 20–21, 2026
St. Cloud, MN |
February 3–4, 2026
Altoona, IA |
Spotlight: Power From Unexpected Sources Mitch Holthus, Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs |
When people hear my voice, they usually think of the Kansas City Chiefs. For decades I’ve had the privilege of calling some of the biggest moments in NFL history, from regular season battles at Arrowhead Stadium to three Super Bowl championships. But what I’ve learned over the years goes far beyond football. |
Share Your Story with BLD Connection |
We want to hear from you. BLD Connection is built on the experiences of our members, and your story can inspire others to connect, learn, and grow. Maybe you built a new business relationship at BizCon, gained fresh ideas in a roundtable, or discovered a product that made a difference for your company.
Take two minutes to share your experience with us. Your story shows the impact of being part of BLD and helps us highlight the strength of our community.
Click HERE to share your testimonial. |
Different Perks for Different Employees From Federated Insurance
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Question One of our high-level employees is requesting additional vacation hours. For example, if her kids have a day off from school, she wants extra vacation hours to spend time with them. She gets the same amount of vacation as everyone else at our company, and we don’t want other employees to claim that we’re being unfair or are discriminating if we give her more. However, we also don’t want to risk losing this valuable employee. Are we allowed to give one employee more vacation time than everyone else? |
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