Welcome, the topics, news and events below will provide you with a wealth of information about what is happening in the pre-designed plan industry, featured guest speakers, meetings, committees and much more. If you have an article or information you would like to share with HPMA for inclusion on this page please let us know.

Table of Contents:



Upcoming Meetings:

DateDescription
8/11/2010Please join HPMA at the 2010 AIBD National Convention August 11 through August 14 in Portland OR. Mark your calendars now and hope to see you there.
1/20/2010HPMA bi-annual meeting traditionally has been in conjunction with the International Builders Show and AIBD. The IBS 2010 show is scheduled in Jan In Las Vegas,however HPMA will not be meeting on site in Las Vegas and instead will be conduction the meeting via Webinar. Information will be forthcoming on HPMA next Web Cast meeting.
 

Meeting Minutes

DateDescription
2/23/2010The Executive Committee recently voted and approved dues restructuring starting with the 2010 calendar year. HPMA new dues structure is now $200/yr (Jan - Dec). All members who have already paid their dues at the old rate of $400 will receive a two year membership ending in 2011. All of you who have been considering renewing or joining, now is the time. Members help grow any organization and HPMA provides value for you with the focus on copyright education. House plan publishers and designers network and become stronger together. Do you have a copyright seal?

Current & Previous Newsletters

DateDescription
11/15/2010HPMA Special Newsletter Edition This newsletter will cover the issues and possibly the future of House Plan Marketing Association. We will cover the successes and the challenges facing this organization, possible solutions and serious decisions. SUCCESS NEW WEB SITE WAS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED The new HPMA web site was development by Virtual Marketing Concepts with input from your executive committee and business coordinator. You can find our web site at http://www.thehpma.com SUCCESS WEBINAR The slowdown in our economy and the struggles within the housing and design industries drove HPMA to look for a more cost effective way to communicate with our membership. Traveling to the two standards HPMA meetings which were traditionally held in conjunction with the International Builder’s Show and AIBD annual convention have netted poor attendance so HPMA’s new communication media became Webinar. SUCCESS Dues Dues were reduced to $200 annually CHALLENGES leadership The Executive Committee has had several resignations and currently your leadership is made up of two hard working individuals; Jim Wright, president and Jarret Magbee, Secretary, all other officers have resigned and a call for new candidates has resulted in no response. Dedicating time to keeping HPMA alive as a viable organization takes dedications and we know every designer is working hard to keep their businesses open and profitable. There is so much HPMA has accomplished and seeing these programs die would be a travesty. Business Coordinator/Administrator Unfortunately I, Margaret Pitts, have also submitted my resignation to the Executive Committe effective when we get someone to take over my responsiblities. I regret to be leaving HPMA but I am not leaving the design business, just dedicating my focus on Lynn's business. The good news for you is that AIBD has agreed to accept the administrative duties for HPMA and transition is expected this month. All phone calls should be directed to AIBD 800-366-2423 or their email address: info@aibd.org Copyright Guidelines, support and education for copyright issues is a high priority and so much is already done but a lot more needs to be done. Education Develop educational programs for IP, quality guidelines, how to market yourself in your local market and how to enter the pre-designed plans market Marketing and Communications The Mission of this committee is to expand and promote the market for the pre-designed house plan industry. Working with publishers and designers still needs so much more input, guidelines and implementation. Industry Guidelines Develop and enforce industry guidelines to set quality, ethical and IP management Code Compliance Network—a program that is sitting on the fence right now Membership What can we say on this? Every organization is only as strong as its members. Without members who are involved and active, there is NO organization. We thank all of you that have continued to be an HPMA member. We all believe this is an important organization and its agenda will benefit all designers. It will continue with your help. HPMA / AIBD Steve Mickley has graciously accepted my role. I will be available to assist in anyway I can. Please direct questions to Steve or Jim Wright. With my most respect for this profession and all who strive to achieve the highest standards for operating their business and the output of their product - a residential plan, my hat off to you. Thank you for all your kindness and support.
3/9/2010You should be receiving soon your very first HPMA electronic newsletter via Mail Chimp. Here’s a preview of what to come. Welcome to this first issue of our electronic newsletter via mailchimp,, a fresh new look that signals a renewed focus for the House Plan Marketing Association. The last year or so has been very tough for all of us and thank goodness we now appear to be headed in a positive direction, although at a slow pace. The casualties have been many and frankly I've spent most of the past year in survival mode as I am sure many of you have also. This New Year however, brings an opportunity for our members to help re-launch HPMA by helping us to focus on those services and resources that bring true value to their membership. The initial item we addressed was membership cost. Member dues have been reduced by 50% to $200.00/year. Those members who have already paid their $400.00 will receive two years of membership for that amount. We understand that times are tough economically and we want to be certain that membership in HPMA is attainable for all. In process are three new sample copyright licenses that will be posted to the HPMA web site as soon as they're completed so that members can download them at their convenience. They will be available in both PDF and MS Word formats. if you don't have your password for the members area yet please contact Margaret Pitts our business coordinator. These should be posted in the next several weeks. We will be communicating with you thru this medium much more often so that you can remain informed about new developments as they progress. If you have comments or concerns please let us know. We look forward to working with you to build an exciting new HPMA! Thanks, Jim
  

On the Boards Design Competition

DateDescription
 Coming Soon

Press Releases & Special Articles

Description
Meeting Minutes from the Annual Business Meeting held 8/25/2009 Download

HPMA Committees

MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS

DateDescription
10/1/2009CHAIR PERSON FOR THE MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: STEPHEN MATHIS. Contact Stephen if you want to be active in this committee, Stephen needs your help so volunteer now. Together we can make this a great committee rolling out ideas and benefits for the whole association.
9/28/2009MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS MISSION STATEMENT Expand and promote the market for the pre-designed house plan industry, grow the membership and become excellent communicators. VISION STATEMENT: > To promote the benefits and quality of the pre-designed plan industry to consumers and builders. > To set ethical and quality guidelines for designers, architects, and publishers. > To provide education programs to consumers and our members. > To provide a network of industry professionals to work with the consumer to insure their pre-designed house plan will meet local requirements for construction. > To establish a network with product manufacturers and affiliate industries to facilitate sharing of information where our markets converge. COMMITTEE PURPOSE: To develop strategies to expand the size, visibility and reputation of the pre-designed house plan industry. GOALS: Create a marketing plan to define how HPMA is going to achieve its purpose.
9/4/2009What is a Building Designer? A Building Designer is first and foremost a professional-familiar with all facets of the building trades-who plans and designs to meet the particular needs of his or her clients. The work of a building Designer is varied; it may consist of residential, both single and multi-unit, commercial and industrial structures. A Building Designer's approach to any problems is based upon the practical, functional, and economical solutions that will most satisfactorily fulfill the client’s requirements, while translating these factors into a concept that is both aesthetic and utilitarian. A qualified Building Designer offers a complete array of professional services. The Building Designer’s prime task is to arrive at a suitable and feasible solution to the client’s needs; furnishing preliminary and detailed designs for the proposed structures ranging from the initial concept to complete working drawings and specifications that will comply with all applicable local building codes and regulations. Building Designers may further aid their clients, when requested, in supplying or arranging for additional services such as selection of contractors and overseeing the actual construction. A Building Designer may be retained to provide all or any part of the planning, design, and construction processes as the client desire. During the initial planning stage, the Building Designer confers with the client to ascertain the type, size, and ultimate usage of the proposed structure. At that time, the Building Designer will offer recommendations regarding site, interior and exterior layout, materials to be used, the range of services, and possible architectural styles and exterior treatments. Using his or her experience, the Building Designer will provide realistic estimates of time and costs to be incurred in preparation of the drawings, specifications an construction estimates. When the design concepts are accepted by the client, the designer will then draw up a contract detailing the extent of the services to be furnished and outline the related responsibilities, fees and other considerations such as structural, mechanical and electrical plans. A Building Designer may provide specialized services as a part of their in-house capability, or engage the services of licensed or certified specialists as required. When retained to do so, a Building Designer may assist the client by preparing and publishing bid proposals for construction; accept, interpret and explain bid proposals to the client with any recommendations. As the client’s agent, a Building Designer may conduct on site inspections of construction, ensuring that all work will be up to recognized quality standards and protecting the client’s interests.

CODE COMPLIANCE NETWORK

DateDescription
10/1/2009CODE COMPLIANT NETWORK CHAIRPERSON: LYNN PITTS Please call Lynn and get involve now - make a difference.
9/28/2009MODIFICATION NEWTORK MISSION STATEMENT Develop a network of profressionals to modify and finalize our licensed products for local permit requirements, codes and regulations.

INDUSTRY GUIDELINES

DateDescription
10/1/2009INDUSTRY GUIDELINES CHAIRPERSON: JIM WRIGHT Don't wait, call Jim now on this very important committee.
9/28/2009INDUSTRY GUIDELINES MISSION STATEMENT Develop and enforce industry guidelines to set quailty, ethical, and IP management.

EDUCATION AND COPYRIGHT

DateDescription
10/1/2009LOOKING FOR A CHAIRPERSON FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT COMMITTEE. BE A PIONEER AND VOLUNTEER.
9/28/2009EDUCATION AND COPYRIGHT MISSION STATEMENT Develop educational programs for IP, quality guidelines, how to market yourself in your local market and how to enter the pre-designed plans market.
9/5/2009Members, do you have a current HPMA Coypright red self inking stamp? Do you need to replace your CPHD stamp that used an inking pad? Please let HPMA Business Director know, replacements are free. However if you had never purchased HPMA or CPHD stamp the cost is $35 plus shipping.

FINANCIAL

DateDescription
10/1/2009FINANCIAL COMMITTEE: What a fun committee. You get to think about money and plan ways to get the value of the dollar into key programs and events.
9/28/2009FINANCIAL COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT Generate specific revenue streams to fund programs and growth.