Entries Sought For National New-Home Sales and Marketing Awards

New home sales and marketing professionals are encouraged to submit entries for the 2008 National Sales and Marketing Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Sales and Marketing Council.

With 57 categories, the awards program, known as “The Nationals,” rewards professional excellence in residential product design, marketing, interior merchandising, advertising, Web site design and both individual and team sales achievement. New residential projects with homes available for sale between Sept. 1, 2006 and Sept. 1, 2007, and individual and sales and marketing council categories covering the same time period are eligible to enter. Entrants have until Sept. 28 to submit entries. Late entries will be accepted until Oct. 12, with an additional fee.

The Nationals is the nation’s largest competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities, typically drawing over 1,200 entries and more than 1,000 attendees. Celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2008, The Nationals culminates in a gala awards ceremony held during the 2008 International Builders’ Show® in Orlando, Fla., boasting a dynamic presentation celebrating the finest and most innovative work in new-home residential sales and marketing.

"The Nationals celebrates what we love about this industry—innovation, creativity and drive," said Ross Robbins, MIRM, CMP, a Colorado-based consultant and chairman of the 2008 Nationals. "NAHB's dedication to honoring the achievements of new home sales and marketing professionals has created a legacy of excellence of which we can be proud.”

The 2008 awards ceremony will be held Feb. 13, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla.

The Nationals’ exclusive co-sponsor is Whirlpool Corp. and their brands, Whirlpool, Maytag, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid and Gladiator GarageWorks. Elite sponsor Professional Builder magazine will feature selected winners in a special editorial coverage section in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Other elite sponsors include Countrywide Home Loans National Builder Division, Housing Guides of America, Lasso Data Systems, Move.com, New Home Guide, Weekend Directional Service and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. CEDIA is a Preferred Sponsor.

Visit www.thenationals.com for complete entry guidelines and entry forms.

For more information, e-mail Lisa Parrish at lparrish@thenationals.com, or call her at 800-658-2751 or 909-987-2758.

ABOUT NSMC: The National Sales and Marketing Council has been promoting professionalism in sales and marketing in the home building industry for 40 years. To help builders sell homes more effectively, the council provides onsite sales and marketing training; offers awards, recognition, and designation programs; and provides sales and marketing support to NAHB members, committees, and councils. The council serves more than 17,000 NSMC members and supports more than 100 local sales and marketing councils across the United States. For more information, visit www.nahb.org/nsmc.