Top Reasons to Become an Associate Member
For many NAHB Associate members, visibility and networking are keys to a successful business. Joining a community such as NAHB opens the doors to make those connections and increases business opportunities that service and trade professionals would otherwise not have, especially when working with home builders.
In honor of Associate Member Appreciation Month, we asked last year's Society of Honored Associate inductees to share their top reasons for joining the Federation as an Associate member.
Be A Part of a Larger Mission
NAHB comprises more than 140,000 members who work hard every day to make the home building industry the best that it can be. This community allows you to be a part of that mission and have your voice heard on issues that matter most.
"A unified voice through NAHB has a far greater impact than individual or smaller trades efforts," said 23-year Associate member Byron Anderson of Valley Glass & Windows, Inc. "The beauty of the tri-level Associate membership is the ability for state and local associations to tap into NAHB's knowledge and assets when facing new regulations on the state and local levels."
Shine a Spotlight on Your Business
You are your biggest promoter. With NAHB, there are many ways to bring recognition to your business through the people you meet and the events you attend. Judy Dinelle, 2020 Associates Member Committee chair and building ambassador for 84 Lumber, credits her membership and NAHB involvement for allowing her to expand her business connections.
"The top reason to join the Federation has to be networking with fellow professionals, customers and suppliers, while also spotlighting the products and services you offer," Dinelle said.
Getting others to know your name, what you do and what you can offer them, is only going to help your business grow.
Gain Personal Relationships Lead That to Professional Ones
Being an Associate member exposes you to different people from not only your own field, but others from the home building community. Rich Robinson, 2020 Membership Committee chair and vice president of the Member Rebate Program, explained that joining the Federation not only benefits you professionally, but personally.
"By getting involved at my Builders Association immediately, I was able to form wonderful relationships that alone would have been worth joining, but some even led to fantastic business opportunities," he said.
Anderson, Dinelle and Robinson were nominated for the 2019 Associate of the Year award. As finalists, they were all inducted into NAHB's prestigious Society of Honored Associates. Applications for the 2020 Associate of the Year award are now open at awards.nahb.org.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jan 28, 2026
Transparent Flashing from Typar Earns 2026 Spark Innovation AwardThe NAHB Leading Suppliers Council (LSC) recently announced that Typar’s Clear Acrylic Flashing is the winner of the 2026 Spark Award. The flashing is the first and only product of its kind on the market that allows the pattern on window nailing fins to be completely visible upon installation.
Jan 27, 2026
FHA Extends Temporary Waiver for New Single-Family Flood Elevation RequirementsThe Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced today the extension of a temporary waiver for new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas as part of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requirements issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Latest Economic News
Jan 28, 2026
Holding Pattern for the FedThe Fed paused its easing cycle at the conclusion of the January meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s monetary policy body. The Fed held the short-term federal funds rate at a top rate of 3.75%, the level set in December. This marked the first policy pause since the Fed resumed easing in September of last year.
Jan 27, 2026
State-Level Employment Situation: December 2025With few exceptions, year-over-year nonfarm employment levels were relatively stable across states at the end of 2025, ranging from a decline of 4.2 percent to a gain of 1.8 percent. Construction employment, however, showed considerably greater dispersion, with declines of up to 9.3 percent in some states and gains approaching 9.0 percent in others.
Jan 26, 2026
Pool Permitting Falls Lower in 2025After a rapid expansion of residential swimming pool and spa construction following the pandemic, permit levels in the latest monthly index for December fell to their lowest level since 2020.