Ryan Taft, founder of Impact 88, shares his vision for transforming new home sales through authentic human connection. Learn why focusing on relationships rather than rigid sales processes is crucial in an AI-driven world, and how smaller builders can create exceptional customer experiences that technology can't replicate. Ryan also reveals the personal story behind Impact 88 and discusses the critical gaps in today's sales training landscape.

Here are all the mentioned events and sessions from the podcast:

1. Sales Central

• Mentioned by multiple speakers as a key networking hub
• Features free food and drinks
• Primary gathering spot for industry professionals

1. The Sales Rally

• Features Kimberly Mackey, Keith McKinney, Anya Chrisanthon, John Palumbo and Cori Charles as speakers this year

1. The Nationals

• Annual awards ceremony
• Recommended even for those not nominated
• Evening formal event

1. "Winner Tech's All" Session

• Presented by Laura Hanson, Beth Byrd, Anna Howell, Cori Masters and Terrell Turner 
• Topic: Tech-driven solutions for online sales and marketing
• Features previous Nationals award winners (silver and gold)

1. First-Time Attendee Orientation Session

• Recommended for IBS newcomers

1. Young Professionals (YP) Party

• Wednesday night
• For attendees under age 45

1. "Become a Serial Killer Closer" Session

• Presented by John Palumbo

1. "VIP Realtor Program in a Post-NAR Settlement World" Session

• Wednesday at 8:30 AM
• Presented by Kimberly Mackey, Leah Fellows, and Naomi Wright

1. NAHB Committee Meetings

• Held Sunday and Monday before the show
• Open to anyone interested in getting involved

1. Anewgo/New Home Star/Call Rail/Nter Now/Builder Signal Combined Booth W2966

• Located on the exhibit floor
• Book your demo with Anewgo here

1. AI in Home Building Session

• Presented by John Lee and Eric Coffield
• Focus on AI transformation in business and customer experience

1. Builders Bookstore

• Features industry publications and resources

Remember to check the IBS app for exact times, locations, and any potential schedule changes.

Join Anya Chrisanthon as she sits down with strategic marketing advisor Mitchell Metz to explore the revolutionary changes happening in home building marketing. Discover insights on:

• AI's impact on sales and marketing
• The power of personalization
• Building a strong personal brand
• Navigating technological disruption
• Crisis communication strategies

Key Takeaways:

• How technology is reshaping the home buying experience
• The evolving role of sales and marketing professionals
• Strategies for leveraging AI and data
• Creating meaningful customer connections

Perfect for home builders, marketers, and tech enthusiasts looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Mitchell Metz: Marketing Strategist & Home Building Marketing Expert

Mitchell empowers home builders and custom home businesses with strategic marketing approaches rooted in technological innovation and personalization. With a background in web design and digital marketing, he specializes in helping small businesses navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, digital transformation, and customer-centric marketing.

His mission is to help home builders and small businesses leverage AI, data, and strategic marketing to create more meaningful customer connections and sustainable growth.

Connect with Mitchell on LinkedIn or visit mitchellmetz.com.

Discover how Anewgo's new Sales Center App bridges the gap between online and in-person home shopping experiences. Join Anya Chrisanthon, John Lee, and Beth Byrd as they discuss this intuitive platform that streamlines presentations, automates updates, and enhances the buyer journey - available now with your first community free.

Key Features:

• Seamless Online-to-Offline Experience
• Interactive Site Plans & Virtual Tours
• Real-time Pricing & Customization Tools
• Instant Custom PDF Brochures
• Self-guided Tour Capability
• Comprehensive Analytics Dashboard

Benefits:

• For Sales Teams: Streamlined presentations, lead tracking, and personalized follow-up
• For Marketing: Easy content updates and brand consistency
• For Builders: Higher engagement, better lead conversion, detailed buyer insights
• For Buyers: Intuitive interface, personalized experience, self-guided exploration

Get Started:

• No special hardware required - works on any screen
• First community free
• Simple setup, no coding needed
• Full training and support included

Contact Beth Byrd ([email protected]) to transform your sales center experience today.

ON3 CEO Paul Cardis shares how their mobile-first platform uses AI to improve construction training, reduce errors, and bridge language barriers - helping builders save time and money through smart video training solutions.

Paul has over 30 years of experience leading technology companies. His former company, Avid Ratings, served more than 2,500 companies throughout North America and was named a Top 50 Most Influential Technology Company in 2014 and 2015.Paul successfully sold a majority of his stake in Avid Ratings to former Microsoft executives and venture capital in 2019. After a short hiatus from entrepreneurship, Paul invested in other game-changing startups, provided consulting, and invested in/co-founded an AI-driven, mobile application to support frontline construction workers. The resulting company, ON3.ai, was named the 2022 Most Innovative Startup by the National Association of Home Builders, received a Housing Innovation Alliance 2023 Pitchfest Award for Data and Technology, and was honored with a 2023 Brilliance Award from Techome Magazine.

Paul attended Harvard University for Business Analytics and is ABD (all but dissertation)-Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before entrepreneurship, Paul taught secondary education and served as a research/teaching assistant, developing the passion for education and analytics he applies today at On3.

In his free time, Paul enjoys the outdoors, hiking, fly fishing, boating, and traveling to beautiful places around the world.

Join us as Amy Druhot, VP of Sales at Eastwood Homes, shares her remarkable journey from high school dropout and house cleaner to industry leadership. Learn how she transformed perceived weaknesses into strengths, discovered the power of authenticity in sales, and why she believes in 'braving it' rather than 'faking it.' Amy discusses her new book 'Just Brave It' and offers invaluable insights on building confidence, understanding your 'why,' and succeeding in new home sales regardless of your background.

Amy Druhot serves as Vice President of Sales for Eastwood Homes in Richmond, where she leads with authenticity and a passion for developing high-performing sales teams. With over two decades in the new home industry, Amy's unconventional path – from high school dropout to corporate leadership – has shaped her unique approach to sales management and team development.

Starting as a warranty administrator and navigating through various roles including house cleaning during the recession, Amy's resilience and determination led her to pioneering innovative sales strategies that consistently deliver results. Her leadership philosophy centers on identifying and nurturing talent based on cultural fit and drive rather than traditional credentials.

Amy is the author of "Just Brave It," a book that challenges conventional wisdom about success and encourages readers to embrace their authentic stories. As a mother of seven and industry leader, she frequently speaks on topics including sales leadership, personal development, and building confidence in corporate settings.

Known for her transparent leadership style and ability to transform teams, Amy advocates for creating inclusive workplace cultures where individuals can thrive regardless of their background. Her work focuses on helping others recognize their potential and "brave it" rather than "fake it" on their path to success.

Sneha Kumari, founder of Merlin AI, discusses how her company is transforming construction management with an AI-native ERP system that features seamless integrations, digital twins, and intelligent project tracking. Learn how this modern solution addresses traditional ERP pain points and helps builders optimize operations through AI-powered insights.

Sneha Kumari is the founder and CEO of Merlin AI, an innovative AI-powered ERP system for the construction industry. With over 12 years of experience in operational excellence across manufacturing, automotive, oil and gas, prefabrication, and retail sectors, she brings deep expertise in driving efficiency through technology. A Six Sigma Green Belt certified professional, Sneha has been recognized as one of the few Operations Women Leaders by McKinsey & Co. and named among the Top 50 Women to Follow in ERP by SourceDay. Her passion for lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement led her to develop Merlin AI, which is revolutionizing how construction companies manage their operations through AI-powered insights and digital twin technology. Beyond her work with Merlin AI, Sneha is an advocate for circular economy initiatives and leveraging supply chain innovations to promote sustainability in construction.

In this episode, Anya Chrisanthon interviews Melissa Morman, Principal at Built for the Future, about the digital transformation of the home building industry. They discuss the challenges builders face, the impact of AI and the "sheconomy," sustainability trends, and innovative solutions like neobanking. Melissa shares valuable insights on viewing home building as retail, adapting to changing customer demographics, and the importance of events like the TecHome Builder and Housing Transformation Summit for industry growth.

Melissa Morman is an accomplished executive whose career has spanned multiple industries. From executive roles in Fortune 500 companies to foundational roles in start-ups, Melissa has distinguished herself through her capacity to lead in highly dynamic environments. Melissa has held a broad set of executive responsibilities--from general management, to launching new divisions, to directing global business development/sales, leading marketing/sales/account management, as well as launching new products. The one constant in her success has been her unwavering advocacy of the customer experience, both B2B and B2C. Melissa was a member of the founding executive team of the homebuilding industry’s technology

consortium, BHI/BDX. BHI/BDX was the market leader in digital customer acquisition and experience, serving over 1,300 builders building over 60% of the homes in the U.S. For 22 years, Melissa served as the CXO (Chief Experience Officer), with responsibility for revenue as well as the client experience. In her role as CXO, Melissa holistically managed the entire lifecycle of the customer experience—starting with marketing messaging, continuing through the sales process, and culminating with ongoing relationship management. Melissa also held responsibility for executive collaboration within the consortium and led the launch of several BHI/BDX products, including the vision/funding/launch of Envision, the industry’s online options product/program. Melissa is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and is an active member on several boards.

In this episode, Anewgo welcomes Beth Byrd as their new VP of Sales. Beth shares her journey from a long-time Anewgo client to joining the team, discusses the future of home building technology, and offers insights on improving customer experience in the industry. Learn about upcoming innovations at Anewgo and get a sneak peek into Beth’s plans for her new role.

Beth Byrd ([email protected]) is the Vice President of Sales at Anewgo, bringing over 25 years of diverse experience in the design and construction industry. Previously, as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Beacon Homes, Beth oversaw the sales, marketing, and design teams in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. During her ten-year tenure at Beacon, she played a pivotal role in quadrupling the company’s sales volume, implementing innovative processes, systems, and training programs alongside industry leaders.

Beth’s extensive background spans various positions in California and Oklahoma, providing her with valuable front-line experience that she leverages in her leadership roles. Her transition from a long-time Anewgo client to VP of Sales uniquely positions her to understand and address the needs of home builders in adopting new technologies and improving customer experiences.

In her current role at Anewgo, Beth is focused on helping builders navigate the evolving landscape of proptech, sharing her insights on customer journey optimization, and driving the adoption of innovative solutions in the home building industry.

When she is not working, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband and their blended family of five boys.

In this episode, Anya Chrisanthon speaks with Don Turner, National Sales Director for New Construction at Realtor.com. They discuss effective strategies for lead generation in the new home market, the importance of interactive content and transparency in listings, and how the homebuilding industry is adapting to changing buyer preferences and technological advancements. Don shares valuable insights on current market trends, the impact of AI and smart home technology, and the evolving relationship between homebuilders and realtors.