Chalk Line

2008 Events and Programs Are Underway

Stacey Genzlinger
Director of Member Events

The early months of 2008 have raced by, and the energy at Olympia Master Builders is at full tilt!

The first two General Membership Meetings saw packed houses. January's dinner meeting launched all of the 2008 programs. Guests were treated to a surprisingly entertaining evening of our talented and spirited Committee Chairs. In February, OMB hosted a Thurston County Housing Forecast. There was a panel of elected officials representing Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm and Thurston County, answering members' questions about the state of housing in our area.

Dino Rossi is our General Membership Meeting speaker for March, and we are sure the 2008 Republican Washington State Gubernatorial candidate will draw a large crowd. This meeting is followed by our Contractors' Round Up in April, followed by the REX Awards in May.

The Contractors' Round Up will happen on Thursday, April 10 at the Little Creek Casino and Resort Event Center. This popular annual event had to change venues due to increasing demand for vendor space. To register as a vendor, contact me at the OMB office 360-754-0912 or 800-456-6473. There will be a top-notch entertainer for the evening, and as usual, all Builder Members are invited to attend this excellent networking opportunity for free.

Next up is the Twin Harbors Home and Garden Show at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds May 17 and 18. This show is held in tandem with the WSU Master Gardeners, and makes for a great community event. If your company is interested in participating in this show, contact Rhonda at the OMB office, 360-754-0912 or 800-456-6473 before space fills up!

The OMB Auction will happen on Friday, June 6. Under the leadership of first-time Auction Chair Jamie LeHew of Anchor Bank, this year's event is one you will not want to miss. The theme for the 2008 Auction is Tailgate Party! Come decked out in your favorite NFL team's attire, and get ready for the best Tailgate Party ever! Thank you to Lumbermens ProBuild for returning as Main Event Sponsor, and welcome Anchor Bank as Photo Booth Sponsor. Wine and Preview Party Sponsorships are still available.

On July 22, members and families will gather at Burfoot Park for the annual OMB ROII BBQ. Not only is this a casual, fun event for members and families, it is also the first time for members to receive their ROII refund checks.

The OMB Golf Tournament will happen on July 24. It is always fun to see what creative ideas our Hole Sponsors come up with to keep the players entertained and nourished during the day. Contact Rhonda at the OMB office, 360-754-0912 or 800-456-6473, to Sponsor a Hole or register a team of players - - or both!

The date of the OMB Tour™ of Homes has not been firmly scheduled as of this printing, but will be in July or August. Last year, this event had a record number of thirty homes on the Tour, plus an unprecedented level of Sponsorship. Returning Chair Gary Rust of Mutual Materials is looking forward to building upon that success.

August 16 and 17 is the weekend for the Twin Harbors Tour of Homes™. Event organizers hope to build on their phenomenal 2007 event, which saw the number of participating homes more than double from 2006, with a total of eleven homes.

The BIG OMB Home and Garden Show is scheduled for the weekend of September 12-14 at Saint Martin's University in Lacey. At the helm of this event, as Chair, is Bill Knight of Strader Hallett& Co. PS. Last year's vendors are currently registering for their space, and open registration for new vendors will happen soon. Look for this event to be one of the best yet!

There's also the Built Green Committee, the Remodelers' Council, the Associates's Council Networking Breakfast that are meeting monthly. These programs are growing and seeing more attendees all the time.

Each of these events and programs are run by a committee, and OMB staff needs your help to make them happen! Come join us, get involved, make connections, and you will be on your way to getting the most out of your OMB membership. There are sponsorship opportunities available for each of these events as well. Each sponsorship has its unique benefits and provides exposure for your company. Please contact me at the OMB office, 360-754-0912 or 800-456-6473, and I can provide you with more information on how you can be a part of our exciting 2008 schedule!