Slowing Economy, Permits Hot Topic in 2023

Amid continued interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, KC’s implementation of the unamended 2021 IECC energy codes and fewer permits being issued in the KC area, the KCHBA began a strategic communications plan to better serve its members and improve awareness with the public. Here are some highlights from 2023.

Awards Abound

In the early spring, the Overland Park Chamber recognized the KCHBA by naming us to its Business Hall of Honor. The EDC Honors Luncheon recognizes businesses and leaders who have helped make Overland Park a nationally ranked city in which to live and work. Brian Rodrock of Rodrock Homes and Matt Adam of Matt Adam Development accepted the honor on the KCHBA’s behalf.

At the 2023 International Builders Show, Summit Homes was honored as the Single Family Builder Safety Program of the Year (between 100 and 500 home starts per year).

The KCHBA’s 2023 KCHBA President Brian Tebbenkamp of Patriot Homes was named NAHB’s Region D Young Professional of the Year, and KCHBA Executive Vice President Will Ruder was honored as the 2022 Local Executive Officer of the Year during NAHB’s Leadership Council Meeting.

The National Housing Hall of Fame at NAHB’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., recognizes individuals whose spirit, ingenuity and determination have changed the nation’s housing for the better, and whose contributions to the housing industry have enduring value on a national or global scale. The 2023 Hall of Fame inductees included our very own Tom Woods. The induction and award ceremonies took place during the 2023 Spring Leadership Meetings, on Tuesday, June 6, at the Board of Directors Meeting at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C.

KCHBA Participates in Build My Future Event In April

More than 500 students interested in careers in construction attended Build My Future in Topeka, Kan., where they spent the day learning about different trades through interactive activities and booths. Activities included a virtual reality painting, welding, tiling, cabinet making, moving a cone with a forklift and more.

“This is the first Build My Future in the state of Kansas,” said Will Ruder, executive vice president of the KCHBA. “It’s an opportunity for young people to come be exposed to a myriad of different things, opportunities that are available to them in the skilled trades. Building things using their hands in order to add to their communities, to their economies, and as well as their own personal fortunes.”

The KC-area schools that attended Build My Future were Bonner Springs High School, Northland Career Center and Excelsior Springs. KCHBA members who participated with interactive exhibits or booths were Summit Homes, Clover & Hive, Kansas Gas, NARI and Kansas Builders Insurance Group.

KCHBA Assists Members with 2021 IEEC Energy Code Implementation

Approximately 90 KCHBA members (and several nonmembers as well) attended a meeting on Aug. 17 to hear how KCMO plans to enforce the 2021 IECC energy code, including the plan review process, the updated IB documents and the inspections process. Kansas City Building Official Jeff Lee and members of his staff spoke to the group and answered questions. The KCHBA also sat down with an energy rater and compiled information to assist builders with the new code requirements using Performance HERS compliance.

PR Advisory Group Creates Strategic Communications Blueprint

In the spring, the KCHBA hired a public relations consultant to assist with identifying perceptions, expectations, level of awareness, etc., that members and the general public have about the association and how current messaging may be reinforcing those perceptions.

The results showed that while members are generally content, they seek clarity on benefits, industry insights and ways they can help to advance KCHBA’s goals. From the public’s perspective, minimal public negativity exists, but there’s a notable knowledge gap about KCHBA’s full mission and how the association benefits consumers.

KCHBA staff asked various members involved with marketing at their companies to join a PR Advisory Group to create a strategic communications plan for the KCHBA. The PR Advisory Group met weekly between July and October to create a detailed plan, which includes a new mission statement, an elevator pitch and streamlining the messages and channels in which the association communicates.

Implementation of the plan begins in 2024, focusing internally on our members’ feedback from the audit. In 2025, staff will include stronger efforts to improve the knowledge gap with the public. This process will be an ongoing commitment to change perceptions and awareness and the plan will evolve over the years based on the results of our efforts.

KCHBA By the Numbers

• The KCHBA has about 700 members including builders, associates and affiliates.

• We have recorded 3,307 single family permits through October from 60 localities.

• The Parade of Homes continues to be the premiere new home marketing event in Kansas City – and the second largest in the country. The Spring Parade had 340 homes built by 117 builder members and the Fall Parade had 343 new homes by 103 builder members.

• 50+ networking and education events were enjoyed by more than 1,700 participants. Some of the more popular events were the economic forecast breakfast, the golf tournament and the Parade award celebrations.

• The Home Builders Charitable Foundation supported 13 organizations by donating more than $30,000 in 2023.