As part of our ongoing effort to provide our members with valuable, industry-related education and information, we are adding an additional General Membership Meeting to our 2026 calendar!
This meeting will bring OMB members together for an informative afternoon of educational breakout sessions, followed by social time to connect and network with fellow members, then followed by our keynote speaker, Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, from NAHB, who will give an update on the economic forecast as we wind down 2026, and head into 2027.
We will be offering three different workshops to our members, as listed below, and they are free to attend! The GMM will include social time for networking, heavy appetizers, a no-host bar, and a program with our keynote speaker.
For this event, you may choose to:
- Attend a Workshop only
- Attend the GMM Social and Program only
- Attend both a Workshop and the GMM Social/Program
To register for a workshop, please add one of the breakout sessions to your cart. If you plan to stay for the GMM, please also add that to your cart (choose "add attendee" and select the GMM from the dropdown list). The registration deadline for both is Wednesday, October 14th.
PRICING
Workshops: Free
GMM: Members $60 | Non-Members $70
EVENT TIMELINE
Workshop A - The Art of Public Speaking: 3:30pm-4:45pm (check-in at 3:15pm)
Workshop B - Get Recommended: How to Make your Business More Visible in ChatGPT & AI Search: 4:00pm-4:45pm (check-in at 3:45pm)
Workshop C - From Advocacy to Action: Influencing Policy and Protecting Business: 4:00pm-4:45pm (check-in at 3:45pm)
GMM Social: 4:45pm-5:15pm
GMM Program: 5:15pm-6:00pm
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WORKSHOP A
The Art of Public Speaking: Presence, Professionalism & Public Speaking
Presented by Janelle Guthrie, BIAW Director of Communications
3:30pm-4:45pm
Effective communication is one of the most valuable leadership skills in business and public service. This interactive workshop is designed to help professionals build confidence, strengthen their presence, and communicate with clarity in a variety of high-impact settings. Participants will learn practical strategies for public speaking, running effective meetings, delivering concise reports, giving public testimony, and navigating media interviews with professionalism and confidence.
Through guided instruction, real-world examples, and hands-on practice, attendees will explore techniques for audience engagement, message development, body language, eye contact, and managing nerves. The workshop also introduces tools and frameworks for organizing presentations, responding to difficult questions, and staying focused on key messages. Participants will have opportunities to practice introductions, testimony, reporting out, and interview responses in a supportive environment.
By the end of the session, attendees will leave with practical communication skills, increased confidence, and actionable tools they can immediately apply when speaking to colleagues, stakeholders, community leaders, elected officials, clients, or the media.
Learning Objectives:
- Build confidence and presence when speaking in front of groups
- Develop and deliver clear, audience-focused messages
- Improve meeting facilitation and reporting skills
- Effectively prepare for and deliver public testimony
- Master key media interview techniques, including bridging and flagging
- Apply best practices for professional communication in high-stakes situations
- Use emerging AI tools to support speech preparation and presentation development
Ideal for: Board members, industry leaders, managers, committee chairs, advocates, subject matter experts, and professionals seeking to enhance their communication and leadership effectiveness.
WORKSHOP B
Get Recommended: How to Make Your Business More Visible in ChatGPT & AI Search
Presented by: Jill Williams, OMB Communications Director & Owner of BeBOLD Marketing & Design
4:00pm-4:45pm
People aren’t just Googling businesses anymore. They’re asking ChatGPT and other AI tools who they should hire, which companies they can trust, and who is considered the best local option.
So, would ChatGPT recommend your business?
Join Jill Williams, Communications Director at Olympia Master Builders and owner of BeBOLD Marketing & Design, for a practical, hands-on workshop designed for contractors, remodelers, builders, architects, designers, and other local service businesses.
You’ll learn how AI search is changing the way customers discover businesses and, more importantly, what you can do today to make your business more visible, credible, and easier for AI to understand.
In this workshop, you'll learn how to:
- Make your website and online profiles clearly communicate what you do, where you work, and what you specialize in
- Strengthen your Google Business Profile and online presence
- Turn customer reviews and testimonials into powerful credibility signals
- Build project case studies that showcase your expertise
- Use awards, certifications, memberships, press coverage, and industry directories to strengthen your digital reputation
- Create content around the questions your customers are actually asking
- Identify the gaps that may be keeping your business from appearing in AI-generated recommendations
- Conduct your own “Are You Findable?” ChatGPT search
- Build a simple 30-day AI visibility plan you can put into action immediately
This isn't about “tricking” ChatGPT.
There is no secret button for ranking #1 in AI search. The goal is to build a strong digital reputation and create enough accurate, relevant evidence online that when someone asks, “Who should I hire?” your business has a reason to be part of the answer.
Come ready to work!
This interactive workshop includes hands-on activities such as Googling your own business, asking ChatGPT local business questions, auditing your online reputation, creating a review-request strategy, and brainstorming awards and recognition opportunities. Bring your laptop and be ready to work!
You'll leave with practical next steps, a visibility scorecard, and a 30-day action plan to help your business become more findable — and more recommendable — online.
WORKSHOP C
From Advocacy to Action: Influencing Policy and Protecting Business
Presented by: Troy Nichols of The Nichols Group Government Relations
4:00pm-4:45pm
The policies shaping housing, permitting, labor, building codes, and development have a direct impact on the residential construction industry. This session will explore how builders and industry leaders can move from simply responding to policy changes to actively influencing them.
Participants will gain practical strategies for engaging policymakers, building strong industry partnerships, and making their voices heard to advance policies that support housing affordability, responsible growth, and a thriving residential construction industry.
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RSVP'S ARE REQUIRED TO GUARANTEE YOUR MEAL.
OMB is required to secure your meal 7 days in advance of all events. Because of this, we cannot guarantee a meal for anyone who registers after the deadline. A 48 hour cancellation policy applies to all events and meetings that require an RSVP. No-shows will be invoiced.