SGA’s Green Builder Verifier Certification Training
September 16-18, 2008
Piedmont Natural Gas Company
4720 Piedmont Row Drive
Charlotte, NC 28210
About the Course
SGA is teaming up with Healthy Homes and the National Association of Home Builders Research Center to provide your gas company builder sales professionals with a unique new training opportunity! The two-day (mid-day Tuesday to mid-day Thursday) Green Builder Verifier Certification Training Course will be offered at the Piedmont Natural Gas Company facility in Charlotte, NC on September, 16-18, 2008.
With the recent downturn in new home construction, the one major area that is not experiencing the slump is the construction of verifiable, environmentally-responsible homes. By attending this training, your gas builder reps will learn new skills that they can develop into a proven marketing program designed to introduce natural gas burner tips into this hot, new home-building trend: Green Building.
Who Should Attend?
Send your top gas builder sales professionals and your technical sales support personnel. This program is an excellent employee development opportunity to make your staffers more valuable in the market, to your top home builders and to your LDC. And studies show that company-paid training leads to improved employee loyalty and morale.
What They Will Learn?
This course is designed to provide the basic pre-requisite knowledge needed by green building program verifiers to ensure that they can recognize green building elements in new residential construction. After the prerequisites are covered, the course moves on to train attendees to become certified verifiers of green buildings using the NAHB’s Green Building Standards.
Builders who want their homes certified to meet the NAHB Standards are required to work with verifiers who have taken and passed this course. Your employees become integral to the Green Building certification process acting as the independent verifier confirming that the builder has followed the guidelines and has properly installed the appropriate appliances, equipment and other construction components and systems.
Of course, in this process, your reps will have the perfect opportunity to suggest clean-burning, natural gas appliances and equipment to the Green Builders for their residential applications. And many LDCs may wish to charge a reasonable fee for this value-added service.
Additional Requirements
In addition to passing the verifier exam, the NAHBRC requires verifiers to pay an annual registration fee of $125 to maintain their certification status. That registration fee is paid directly to the NAHBRC and is not included in the SGA registration fee. For your convenience, our instructor is authorized to collect the NAHBRC fee or you may send it directly to NAHBRC.
Online Registration Available
The SGA registration fee for this course is $595 per attendee. Please scroll down to register.
Training Location
Classes will be held at the Piedmont corporate office auditorium located at: Piedmont Natural Gas, 4720 Piedmont Row Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210. Telephone: 704-364-3120
Class Schedule
The class schedule is designed to allow out-of-town attendees to travel to Charlotte on Tuesday morning and return home on Thursday afternoon.
Tuesday, September 16th - 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Wednesday, September 17th - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Thursday, September 18th - 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Tuesday, September 16th - 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday, September 17th - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Thursday, September 18th - 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Transportation
Air travel arrangements should be made through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) which is serviced by several major carriers: American Airlines, AirTran Airways, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue Airways. Taxis are available outside the baggage claim area at the airport. You may be able to arrange an airport shuttle when your make your hotel reservation.
Hotel Near the Piedmont Offices
We recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites SouthPark at Phillips Place, 6700 Phillips Place Court Charlotte, NC 28210. Call Ms. Jessica Helms at 704.319.5702 and request the Piedmont Natural Gas corporate rate of $135 per night. The hotel will provide shuttle service to and from the classes.
Receptions & Dining
SGA will arrange an informal welcome reception on Tuesday evening after classes at one of the hotels. Dinner will be “on your own” on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. There are many excellent dining options in the area near the office and the hotels. Lunch will be provided on Wednesday.
Classroom Attire
Appropriate attire for the Piedmont office location is business casual. Classrooms can sometimes be cool during the day, so you may wish to bring a sweater or light jacket to the sessions.
About Our Instructors
Robin Pharo, with Healthy Homes, is approved by the NAHB Research Center to teach the pre-requisite course and the NAHB Green Building Course. She was recommended to SGA by the NAHBRC.
Tom Schultz, with Laclede Gas, is a marketing professional who has extensive knowledge in the various green construction programs for commercial and residential buildings. He has developed a strong relationship with the construction community in the St. Louis area and developed the award-winning Green Builder marketing program for Laclede.
SGA Contact: Larry Farthing
Sponsored by the following SGA Committee:
Residential Marketing Committee
