The Reed Residential Group's 2003 Benchmark conference, held Sept. 21-24 in New Orleans, drew a crowd of remodelers eager to learn from speakers inside and outside the industry about proven techniques for business success. Tuesday, after a morning spent discussing best practices in customer satisfaction, the group explored the city and swamp during the afternoon before partaking in an evening dinner cruise down the Mississippi River. At right, Alan Hendy (left), CR, vice president of Neal's Remodeling in Cincinnati, talks with sponsor Rob Long of LP Vinyl Siding. Far right, Russell Caldwell, CGR, of Caldwell Construction in Nixa, Mo., relaxes and waits for the food to arrive after a long day.

At the end of the conference, attendees were given a Benchmark action plan, compiled using evaluations turned in after each session. Dan and Carol Longacre, owners of Longacre Construction in Highland Village, Texas, head home with Benchmark action plans clutched firmly in hand. The plan includes key takeaways from each session and ideas to implement to strengthen a business.

Halsey Platt, president of Walter H.B. Platt Architects, Remodelers & Cabinetmakers in Groton, Mass., leads a crew of builders and volunteers as they put together the locally milled hemlock beams of a pavilion for Gaining Ground. A charity, Gaining Ground annually grows about 30,000 pounds of organic food that gets donated to Boston-area food pantries, meal programs and shelters. More than 50 people volunteered for the weekend building sessions, completing the project in a little more than a month.

Mark Brick (left), CR, CGR, president of NARI, and Mike Weiss, CGR, GMB, CAPS, chairman of the NAHB Remodelors Council, have pledged to work together to increase industry and consumer awareness of NARI's Certified Remodeler and the NAHB's Certified Graduate Remodelor education and certification programs.

Mike Pollard (below middle) and Neil Peck (below right) served as judges for the remodeling category of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago's Key Awards. In existence since 1972, the Key Awards recognize the exceptional work of area remodelers and builders. This year the remodeling category was expanded to include kitchens and baths, whole houses, room additions and specialty projects.

Remodelers Night Out at the NAHB fall board meetings in Boston involved food, beer and pool playing. Bob Hanbury, CGR, and Paul Sullivan, CGR, CAPS, share a smile at Jillian's.