“It is clear that building a community is at the heart of the work you do.”
—Denise Miller, VP, Event, Product & Brand Marketing, NAHB, Gold Sponsor of LBM Strategies 2024
When we launched LBM Strategies in 2016, we knew what we wanted to accomplish—to provide a space for LBM pros from across the U.S. to connect, share, and learn from each other—but we couldn’t know how it would play out. Having just returned from our 2024 event in Costa Mesa, CA, I believe we’re on the right track. Here’s why:
We survey attendees, both LBM pros and sponsors, to share honest feedback on what they liked, what they didn’t, and how we could do better. Of the 44 people who completed the survey—77% ranked the overall event Excellent, and 23% ranked it Good. While it’s fun that no one selected either of the other two options, Fair and Disappointing, we kept digging for details.
Since one of our primary goals is for attendees to go home armed with valuable takeaways, we asked: “Did you learn any practical ideas that you can implement in your business?” While 98% said yes, the comments like this shed light on the most valuable aspects: “Making sure ALL of my employees are noticed and heard. Use [Bradley Hartman’s] air raid strategy to become better organized and more valuable to our customers. It is okay to copy things that work from other businesses and industries to better serve our customers and add to our success. The practice of Poka-yoke to help prevent mistakes and incorrect behavior.”
The other survey question I want to share goes back to our core mission
for the event: “Did you make any new connections (with LBM pros or sponsors) who you plan to follow up with?” Eighty-seven percent of respondents did make valuable new connections with LBM pros, and 71% made new connections with sponsors.
The post-event survey gives our team solid insights into what worked, and what didn’t. But there were a couple of key moments that no survey can capture. One of my personal favorite moments from this year’s event was meeting Ava Collins, our first-ever baby attendee. She was there with S.W. Collins Co., a 180-year old LBM dealer based in Maine. Ava got to see her mom, Clara Collins, be honored as an inductee in the LBM 40 Under 40 Class of 2024. Ava also got to see her grandpa, Sam Collins, take the stage as a member of the LBM Century Club. Since travelling from Maine to Southern California for our event is no small feat, Ava takes her place as the first, and only, member of LBM Journal’s One Under One.
I’m proud of how this event has evolved, but what I’m most proud of is the community that makes it happen.
— Rick Schumacher, Executive Editor & Publisher
