NAHB Podcast: Journey to a Successful Spring Leadership Meeting
In the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez sit down with special guest Lori Asaro, chair of the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), during the Spring Leadership Meeting.
As Tobin and Lopez touted in last week’s episode, Asaro made a cross-country journey to the Spring Leadership Meeting and stopped at various NAHB associations and other locations along the way. The idea to visit associations and document the journey (#nahbontheroad) stemmed from a conversation with the NSMC communications subcommittee.
“This was literally about a week before we left that this idea came to fruition, and everybody at NAHB was on it,” Asaro explained, even sending out NAHB hats that she could give out along her trip.
The associations Asaro visited included her home base of San Diego; Phoenix; New Mexico; Tulsa, Okla.; and West and East Tennessee, where she got to learn more about what the issues they’re dealing with and how they’re tackling them.
“They were all fantastic people, and their teams were so wonderful and welcoming,” Asaro shared.
“I’m really thankful to NAHB not only for the support but for the trust, going out there as an ambassador,” she added.
Tobin and Lopez also celebrate the successes of this year’s Legislative Conference, which kicked off with remarks from Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). More than 900 NAHB members then made the trek to Capitol Hill to discuss transformers, energy codes and workforce development.
“I love getting messages from people on Capitol Hill saying, ‘Your guys are everywhere,’” Tobin shared.
Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
What does a change in mortgage rates or home prices mean for prospective home buyers in your market? NAHB’s new Priced-Out Housing Calculator helps answer that question.
According to the latest NAHB/Well Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey results, interior finishes (drywall, interior doors, painting, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, flooring, etc.) take an average of 6.4 weeks to complete, longer than any other major stage of single-family construction.
Latest Economic News
Consumer credit growth accelerated in the third quarter of 2026, with both revolving and nonrevolving credit increasing at their fastest quarterly rates since 2022. Total outstanding consumer credit reached $5.22 trillion, continuing an upward trend that has strengthened over the past year.
Inflation remained elevated in October even as energy prices eased, raising expectations of another Fed rate hike. Shelter returned as the largest driver of headline inflation, accounting for over 30% of the monthly increase. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy components, rose by 0.3% for the third consecutive month, suggesting broad-based price pressures across the economy.
Wage growth for residential building workers showed signs of a modest rebound in September 2026 following a sharp slowdown earlier in the year. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nominal wage growth picked up from its June pace, although it remained relatively modest.