Sessions

Running effective meetings plays a critical role in the overall operation of your business and when volunteering within an association. As leaders you are responsible for the content, interaction and structure of your meeting. This session will cover the hallmarks of effective meetings, including establishing clear ground rules, preparing proper meeting agendas and strategies to deal with difficult behaviors.

Donna Franza, NAHB Senior Consultant of Advisory Services

Crisis situations can arise without warning, often leaving leaders to navigate uncertainty as events unfold. Flexibility, practical decision-making, and strong communication are essential in these moments and help leaders stay prepared for shifting conditions. Drawing on experience in disaster response, this session offers perspectives on leading effectively when new challenges emerge. Participants will take away insights they can use to better support their organizations through the storm.

Jonathan Falk, NAHB Director of Disaster Operations

Have you told yourself you don’t deserve success? Did you settle for good, when great was possible?

Self-sabotage is a common and significant challenge business professionals face daily. It comes in many forms and can be a cunning enemy. Learn how to overcome self-sabotage and be a strategic ally to self. Areas of session focus include, discovering ways to address self-sabotage and practicing mini-mindfulness strategies to strengthen self-command muscles.

Grace Keohohou Hao, Keynote Speaker

Join us for an interactive session designed to put you in the driver’s seat. You’ll have the chance to select a small-group breakout focused on the workforce development topic that matters most to you. Engage in dynamic peer-to-peer conversations, share insights, and gain fresh perspectives from colleagues across the field. This is your opportunity to shape the dialogue, build connections, and walk away with actionable ideas you can apply immediately.

Rachel Branson, NAHB Director of Leadership Training & Development

Join us as we wrap up the day with practicing effective communication strategies through some good old-fashioned teamwork, while also having a little bit of fun! Teams race to build the tallest castle using only index cards and tape. No talking, no moving around, no extra tools. Break a rule, and the Castle Code Inspectors (a.k.a. NAHB Staff) will knock it down and the team must begin again. The first team to complete their castle successfully wins the crown!

Rachel Branson, NAHB Director of Leadership Training & Development & Donna Franza, NAHB Senior Consultant of Advisory Services

Membership isn’t just a list of perks—it’s a powerful tool for growth, advocacy, and industry influence. In this session, we’ll explore how NAHB membership delivers tangible impact at every level—local, state, and national. You’ll gain fresh insights into the latest initiatives, resources, and industry trends, along with practical strategies for turning benefits into compelling stories that resonate with your members.

Panelists: Bill Owens, NAHB 2026 Chairman, Sarah Love, NAHB HI State Representative, Hinano Nahinu, BIAH Past President

Moderator: Roseann Freitas, BIAH CEO

Discover how understanding personality types can transform how your team works together. In this hands-on, high-energy session, you’ll explore the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator through interactive activities designed to boost self-awareness, improve communication, and strengthen collaboration. Walk away with practical insights you can immediately use to lead more effectively and bring out the best in your team—and yourself.

Click here to complete the 16 Personalities assessment, prior to arrival to receive information about your type for this session.

Donna Franza, NAHB Senior Consultant of Advisory Services

Advocacy is essential to protecting and advancing the home building industry at every level—national, state, and local. This session brings together advocacy leaders from Area 14 to share proven strategies for strengthening your HBA’s voice and influence. Explore practical approaches to effective advocacy, hear insights on navigating current challenges, and collaborate with peers to identify actionable solutions that make a real impact in your community.

Panelists:

Geena Thielen, Complete Construction Services

Christine Camp, Avalon Group

Dan Dunmoyer, CEO of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA)

Artificial intelligence is transforming project planning, procurement, and safety monitoring—but it also introduces hidden risks that traditional frameworks miss. Join cybersecurity and AI risk leader Cynthia Madden as she reveals critical blind spots in vendor software, analytics tools, and automated decision systems that can undermine compliance and accountability. Learn practical strategies for adopting AI responsibly, strengthening governance, and safeguarding long-term value for Hawai‘i’s building and development community.

Cynthia Madden, Cyber Security & AI Risk Leader

NAHB CEO Jim Tobin will share the latest on the state of the Federation, including key economic indicators and advocacy efforts. Come prepared for a dynamic Q&A discussion.

Jim Tobin, President & CEO of NAHB