Today's housing market is challenging even for the most seasoned industry veterans, causing professionals in nearly every segment to rethink the way they build, sell, market-even the way they do business. The time is ripe for radical ideas, and there's no better place for housing industry professionals to get creative than The NAHB University of Housing. New perspectives abound at National Association of Home Builders conferences, seminars and education programs. Great ideas flourish when professionals from all levels and segments of the home building industry come together to learn the best ways to boost business, sharpen sales skills and confront market challenges.

The Place to Go to Get Ahead

Building industry professionals continue to turn to NAHB for the most comprehensive education offerings. The NAHB University of Housing has courses, conferences and professional designations for people at every stage of their careers. Course offerings, ranging from basic business and finance skills to in-depth, technical building knowledge, are regularly revised and updated so that students always get the most current tools and information. NAHB instructors are housing industry veterans who are committed to sharing the best industry knowledge.

Earning an NAHB designation-in new home sales or marketing, remodeling, building, multifamily, 50+ housing and more-amplifies expertise and shows commitment to excellence. Having a designation behind your name brings recognition in a crowded marketplace and keeps professionals current with the latest industry advances and trends. It also shows your customers that you have the commitment to the industry and knowledge about a particular subject. This is especially true of NAHB's newly launched Certified Green Professional designation. The CGP provides builders, remodelers and other industry professionals a solid background in Green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers. Learn more at nahb.org/CGPinfo.

A Vibrant Exchange of Ideas NAHB holds more than a dozen annual conferences that bring builders and other housing industry professionals from across the country together to network, share strategies and learn about the latest trends and innovations. In addition to education sessions on topics specific to each conference's audience, many conferences offer pre-show NAHB University of Housing courses that attendees can take to earn designation credit.

Highlights from 2008's conference schedule include the 10th anniversary National Green Building Conference in New Orleans May 11-13 at nahb.org/GreenBuildingConference and the Custom Builder Symposium in Austin, Texas, October 24-26 at nahb.org/Custom. And this year marks the debut of the Sales + Marketing Exchange, held October 5-7 in Phoenix, Ariz. Created exclusively for new home sales and marketing professionals, the Sales + Marketing Exchange features nationally-acclaimed speakers, unlimited networking opportunities, pre-conference courses leading to an NAHB designation and interactive sessions. Learn more at nahb.org/Exchange.

Helping You Reach Higher

At NAHB education events, you'll connect with people from across the country and from all facets of the industry. You'll get both details and big picture ideas. Through NAHB's programs, you'll also have the chance to talk about local, state and federal issues that affect you. And you'll learn how to connect on an on-going basis with people who share your interests. NAHB provides you with resources and knowledge that help you reach higher all year long.

The NAHB University of Housing serves as a facilitator for all of NAHB's educational offerings, including educational seminars at The International Builders' Show, all national courses, professional designations, conferences and tours. Whether building professionals are new to the industry, hoping to make a next career move or seeking to improve their company's bottom line, The NAHB University of Housing can assist them in all their educational pursuits.

For more information, visit nahb.org/Education