Builders Get Leg-Up on Competition at Upcoming Green Building Conference Nashville Event to Feature Homes Tour, Education, Exhibit Hall and More

WASHINGTON, April 13--Building professionals looking to expand their green building skills, or those just getting started in building green, will find tools for success at the 2012 National Green Building Conference and Expo in Nashville, Tenn., April 29-May 1.

Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the annual conference will be held at the Nashville Convention Center. It will feature an exhibit hall with cutting-edge green products, a wide variety of education courses, unmatched networking opportunities and notable speakers and special events.

The event will be kicked off with a keynote session from renowned around-the-world solo sailor, Derek Hatfield. In his most recent race, Hatfield relied on solar and wind power instead of fossil fuels to generate the electricity needed during the race - an approach that goes hand-in-hand with the main principles of working toward a more sustainable future. He will share his exciting experiences and stories of circumnavigating the globe, and discuss his efforts in sustainability.

Two new offerings at the show this year provide building professionals with insights into the green market, and tips for enhancing their green building techniques. They are:

· Analysis of the Green Market--McGraw-Hill Construction, NAHB and Waste Management, Inc. will reveal the results of a new Smart Market Report on Residential Green Building. The report highlights the growth of green building and provides building professionals with insight into potential market opportunities, consumer preferences and industry trends.

· Green Building Plan Review--Attendees will have the opportunity to review their building plans with an architect, an accredited verifier for the National Green Building Certification Program and a home builder. All are experienced in working with the National Green Building Standard, which was the result of a partnership between NAHB and the International Code Council. They will be able to answer questions and provide practical tips and suggestions for making projects greener and more efficient.

"We are excited to be able to offer so many exciting opportunities for builders and remodelers to expand their knowledge of green building," said Eric Borsting, chairman of the National Green Building Conference and Expo. "Conference attendees will get the full experience with classroom training, tours of green homes, a showcase of green products, networking opportunities, knowledgeable speakers and much more."

Another conference highlight is the annual Green Building & Technology Tour, which offers builders a glimpse into the design and green building practices used by local builders. Attendees have the chance to hear firsthand about the building process, the green building certifications used and the value the homes bring to their owners.

Additionally, attendees are invited to attend the Muddy Boots Mixer and Awards event, for a night of networking, live music, food and recognition of the year's best in green building.

To register for the National Green Building Conference and Expo, or for additional information, visit www.nahb.org/greenbuildingconference.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Complimentary registration is available to credentialed members of the working press. For more information, please contact Liz Thompson, at ethompson@nahb.org.]