HUD Secretary Ben Carson will speak at MHI's annual Congress & Expo in April.
MHI Announces U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson for Keynote Speaker April 25 in Las Vegas
Secretary Ben Carson of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the upcoming 2018 MHI Congress & Expo.
Secretary Carson will speak at the Opening General Session of the MHI Congress & Expo at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 25 at 9 a.m.
The Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing is the national trade show for industry professionals to obtain the knowledge and resources necessary to excel in today’s housing marketplace.
In addition to being on hand for Carson’s comments, attendees can choose from top quality educational programs with other powerful speakers, network with the industry’s most successful professionals, develop new ideas for business and visit the exhibit floor to see the latest and greatest products and technologies.
Congress & Expo runs April 24-26, 2018 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Visit the MHI website to register.
Secretary Carson Bio
Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., was sworn in as the 17th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on March 2, 2017.
For nearly 30 years, Secretary Carson served as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a position he assumed when he was 33 years old, becoming the youngest major division director in the hospital’s history.
Carson received dozens of honors and awards in recognition of his achievements including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. He also is a recipient of the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The author of nine books, Carson wrote four of the publications with his wife Candy. The U.S. News Media Group and Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership named him among “America’s Best Leaders” in 2008.
The couple co-founded the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The Fund operates in 50 states and the District of Columbia. It has recognized more than 7,300 scholars, awarded more than $7.3 million in scholarships and installed more than 150 reading rooms nationwide.
Born in Detroit to a single mother with a third grade education who worked multiple jobs to support their family, Secretary Carson was raised to love reading and education. He graduated from Yale University and earned his M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School. He and his wife are the proud parents of three adult sons and three grandchildren.
How well your home is sited depends a lot on soil density.
What is the Pocket Penetrometer, and how is it used?
In 1989, George Porter came across the pocket penetrometer.
He had been in the manufactured housing business for about two decades already, and like many people, he spent much more time considering the actual home than the space on which it might sit.
“Might” is the operative word here.
“The executive director of Pennsylvania association at the time said ‘Why don’t you write a course on how to set up a manufactured home?’
“I thought this would take most of the afternoon,” Porter recently confessed. “About a year later I had most of it figured out.”
There is a lot that goes into siting a home, not the least of which is soil density. In other words, how consistently firm is the soil on which the home’s piers will rest? And will it hold the home over time, or “might” it not?
It’s All About the Soil
“What I knew about soil at the time was that it was ‘dirt’ and there were two kinds, wet and dry. Wet is called mud,” said Porter, who operates Manufactured Housing Resources, Inc., and trains scores of manufactured housing professionals on proper home installation.
The Manufactured Housing Institute education division offers a 12-hour training program developed and delivered by Porter. The content offered in the program is the latest and most relevant information for home installation on a state-by-state basis.
Suffice to say, George Porter has learned quite a bit about soil density and all else involved with placing a manufactured home.
But back to the item at hand, the pocket penetrometer.
Are your homes on sturdy ground? A pocket penetrometer can help you find out.
What Is A Pocket Penetrometer?
When Porter came to learn everything from Andisol to Vertisol in the world of soils, he was told by industry folks and manual writers that a very important step in the home siting process is figuring out load-bearing capacity; but how?
Most presentations looked beyond this practical bit of fieldwork. And no one he knew was testing soil density, with or without a device that could help.
Asking around, he was directed toward a large, unwieldy machine that sat on a tripod and utilized a heavy blow-cap to would drive a spike in the ground. Counting the number of blows required to reach a certain depth offered a density reading.
Porter said he recalls the demonstration, thinking, with hand on chin, “This isn’t going well.”
Where the Manufactured Housing Industry Turned
Shortly after, Porter was turned on to the device most people in the industry use today – the pocket penetrometer.
Of all the ways to test soil – including hiring an expert or sending a sample to a lab – use of this diminutive device is by far the most time and economically efficient. And, today, most install manuals for new homes call for the use of a pocket penetrometer.
Pocket Penetrometer from AMS
If you buy one, it should cost less than $150, and come in a small carrying case that includes instructions for use. Depending on brand, new devices can be found for $50.
To take the middle ground, AMS makes a pocket penetrometer that’s sold here and other places for about $90.
A pocket penetrometer measures soil for the number of tons it will support by square foot. Many times the references in home installation manuals hinge on pounds per square foot. So, a conversion or two may be necessary, but knowing that 2,000 pounds is equal to one ton is the essential element, and will put you on sturdy ground for finding the needed answers.
How Is the Pocket Penetrometer Used?
“You press the pocket penetrometer into undisturbed soil and you try to pick a patch that’s unaffected by the sun and most similar to the area where you’ll place footings,” Porter said. “This means you may need to remove some baked topsoil before you get to the moist soil that’s common to the area.
“In a state like Michigan, because of the frost line, you can’t just place a home on top of the ground. It’s not a good idea and you won’t pass inspection either,” he reminded.
The user presses the penetrometer into the soil. When this is done, the spring-loaded pin in the ground also presses up into the handle of the device. When the pin reaches the grooved part of the handle ¼” up, a load bearing reading between one ton and four tons is made evident by the red ring on the barrel. That reading correlates to a specific type of setup system for installation of the home.
Be mindful that a penetrometer only works on soil. An attempt to measure density on top of gravel, for instance, will render a false reading.
Where to Purchase a Pocket Penetrometer
Today, a plastic pocket penetrometer is available. Porter uses the same metal device he purchased when he began studying soil.
“That was a long time ago,” he said. “The plastic one is not that much cheaper, but the paint comes off, and if you step on it, you’ll crack it. I don’t know what you could do to break the metal one without trying real hard.”
A pocket penetrometer can be purchased at the local supply store, the same place you buy anchors and skirting. They also can be picked up through the industry catalogs, like Oliver and Westland Distributing.
Just like the age old saying “know thy self”, knowing your audience is the first step in marketing and advertising. This information can set the course for your entire marketing venture. So, lets break it down!
When advertising homes or communities for sale there are a few general categories to choose from:
Home Buyer OR Home Renter
Those seem pretty obvious, however they each have their own sub-audience to play with as well:
Home Buyers
First you want to look at the individuals looking to purchase:
A Home in a community (All ages and/or 55+)
A pre-owned home and have it on private land or into a community.
A new or home to move to either private land or a community
A custom home to build and place on either private land or within a community
In addition to the above groups you also have professionals who purchase homes as well. Those you can typically breakdown to the following groups:
Professional assisting individuals on their home search
A community manager or owner looking to purchase pre-owned or new homes for their community
Professionals home sellers looking to purchase homes (both new/pre-owned) for resale.
Home Renters:
With individuals looking to rent a home there can be a number of categories. The most common tend to be:
Individuals looking to rent a home for short term due to a job re-location, to temporary location change.
Someone seeking a second home or a retirement property to rent seasonally
Individuals looking to rent due to budget restrictions or preferred flexibility with a lease agreement.
Once you have invested time in knowing your audience you can move on to the following marketing and advertising steps!
Exposure/Market
Understanding the market you are looking to work within and navigating the available exposure is the next logical step after knowing your audience. Knowing your audience will dictate the types of marketing and advertising that will be most effective.
Statistically, online advertising is still at the top of the list in general, since it’s easily manageable, typically reasonable in cost and lets face it everyone starts their search online these days.
In addition to online advertising, there are still some benefits to advertising in print.
So for this step in your process you will want to evaluate the most effective avenue to reach your buyer/renter, then be sure you are dominating that market as best you can.
Content
Content is so important. Not only do you want to be sure any and all details of a home are included in your advertisements, but your contact options too!
Someone looking to purchase or rent a home will need all information about the home upfront. In addition you also want to give any necessary details in reference to monthly fees if in a community, any sales commission a professional might require etc.
You also need to be sure that all of the content is accurate and updated regularly. For example, if you have photos of the home that were taken with snow on the ground and the ad is being posted in July, then you will want to have current photos taken and the advertisement updated.
Follow-through
These days there is little to no excuse for not following up with a customer. However, not only is it important to follow-up, it’s also important to provide all of the information they need within that response.
Source: www.digitalairstrike.com
This still goes back to content in a way since you want to be sure your buyer or renter has all of the information they need to take the step in closing the deal.
So, while there are several areas to manage when advertising homes, starting by establishing your audience can dramatically increase the efficiency and eventual quality of your marketing campaigns.
If you have any additional questions on how you can improve your MHVillage advertisements please contact us!
MHVillage/Datacomp Appraisal had a team of six represent the company and put a wrap on Louisville 2018. We are among 3,000 MH Pros who will say it was a great year to be at the Kentucky Expo Center.
Attendance was up, according to Show Producer and Manager Dennis Hill, of Show Ways Unlimited. 2018 attendance surpassed the previous year at 10 a.m. on day 2, less than halfway through the event.
This alone shows the enthusiasm and upward trajectory of the industry!
Louisville 2018 gathered 3,188 manufactured housing professionals from 1,061 organizations.
“I think everybody would agree that this year’s show was a success. The degree of enthusiasm was most rewarding,” Hill said.
Video fireplace and LED lighting in a Commodore Home.
Homes, Homes, Homes
We walked the floor, talked to supplier exhibitors, and toured each of the nearly 60 new model homes on display. And boy did those exhibitors bring out the goods!
The show had single-section, multi-section and tiny homes galore. All the homes had compelling new materials, very livable floor plans, and awe inspiring features. Just to note a few of the trends:
Wrap on Louisville 2018 Trends
The study in a new Redman Home.
Large tubs and open shower/tub combinations
Mudrooms and lockers
Hanging barn doors for interior transitions
Distressed wood laminate flooring
Distressed wood cabinetry and trim
Enhanced/increased outdoor deck spaces
Added square footage/emphasis on shared spaces
Small office spaces
Tray ceilings
Chalkboard walls or chalkboard panels over utility access
Video fireplaces
Multi-color LED accent and backlighting
Probably the most fun and interesting new feature pays tribute to our furry friends. One new home now uses a pet-wash station installed in the rear laundry bay. This is evidence that makers really do put themselves in the shoes of the homeowners when they’re drawing out designs.
A freestanding shower in a new Champion home, the Northwestern.
Seminars and Speakers Capture Attention in Louisville
Hundreds of attendees sat in the main hall for presentations on home buying, finance, marketing and a Friday finale that detailed home foundation types and related soil-type and ground density issues. We will detail this surprisingly interesting session in a future blog.
MHInsider Introduced in Louisville
The big development of the show for MHVillage was the introduction of the new MHInsider magazine, received in a rather celebratory fashion. The need for a new manufactured housing industry magazine became all the more apparent in Louisville. Especially relevant was the positive reaction from industry professionals who were profiled in the first edition, and others who want to be involved in upcoming issues.
Founder of Show Ways Unlimited Planned and Organized Hundreds of Shows in His 50 Years in Manufactured Housing
Dennis Hill, with 50 years in manufactured housing, is the talent behind Show Ways Unlimited and the hundreds of manufactured housing industry trade shows he and his team have put on.
Though many in the industry may believe Hill gained his start in the events business forming shows in Atlanta or Nashville, there is a deeper story yet to be told.
Prior to the start of his 50 years in manufactured housing, Hill was in graduate school at the University of Georgia. In 1966 he was swept up in the U.S. call for 50,000 troops to Vietnam. He trained and prepared but never was shipped out.
“I was placed in special services and put in charge of conducting entertainment for troops at Fort Rucker,” Hill said.
He said it took a while to convince his superiors that they guys didn’t really want to spend their time playing checkers in the USO Club, and that there had to be some alternative yet safe ways to “blow off steam”.
Clayton “town center” at Louisville in 2018.
Rockin’ Fort Rucker
“We put on Rock shows. And that’s what I think got me started on the idea of doing events,” Hill said. “The commanding officers were only convinced we’d made some good decisions when they saw 4,000 to 5,000 people out in the parade field being entertained.”
He programmed all phases for the entertainment section, and prior to the event had to recruit, evaluate and assemble the performers into bands that could hold the stage for an hour, if not more.
Yes, Dennis Hill organized “boy bands” for the troops, in a time some 20 years prior that was better known for the “British invasion”.
“The performers were local rock groups we assembled,” Hill said. “It was amazing to see something like that come together.”
In 2018, Dennis Hill of Show Ways Unlimited Celebrates 50 years in Manufactured Housing
When Hill was discharged, his father, who had been a manufacturer’s rep in the industry, was in poor health. His father asked that Dennis and his brother follow him in the manufactured housing business, but the brothers were ill-suited to work together.
Dennis Hill allowed his brother to take his father’s path, and Hill signed on with what was referred to as “the old Southeastern Manufactured Housing Institute”.
“The regional group was there for 10 years, and my original role was around member services and the service and supplier division,” Hill recalled. “Maybe it was a catch all for anything and everything.”
The trade show thing literally just popped up.
“My boss walked in and said ‘You’re going to do a trade show’ and I said ‘What is a trade show?’” Hill confessed. “I guess I figured it out.”
The Formative Years
Overlooking homes and vendors at The Louisville Show in 2018
Hill said there were many people around him – a 22-member board included – to help organize the management of a trade show – from earliest planning, through working with partners and vendors, to securing space and getting show homes organized and speakers assembled.
And it was an experience that got his blood flowing, he said. Doing shows was something akin to running a political campaign; many months of planning that must coalesce into action, an effective day or two that provide a collective experience for the whole.
He could run a weekend “how to” retreat on the topic these days, but in the early ’70s it was a rather undefined landscape. That’s the type of perspective that 50 years in manufactured housing offers.
“It was the wild and wooly days. The business almost allowed you to show up set up your display and leave it for the weekend. This happened one time and I called a guy to ask him how his show was and he responded ‘It was the best show ever’.”
“It changed, and I like to think I had a positive influence,” Hill said. “The shows were going to move forward, and they needed to be about more than partying and being out at night.
John Manley, a veteran in the industry and member of the RV/MH Hall of Fame, was there to help Hill in those formative years.
“His influence as a West Point graduate appealed to me, having just come out of the military,” Hill said. “In the morning, when I got chewed out for whatever, it didn’t really bother me because that’s just the way it worked.”
‘Industry Competition and Collaboration’
Hill started with the Atlanta show, which was outside at the farmers market. He said the industry was very competitive at the time, and lacked the undercurrent of cooperation seen today. The goal, Hill said, was to create something durable that allowed for industry competition and collaboration.
When Show Ways was organized in 1978, the trend went toward bringing shows inside, and creating professional presentations and talks. The trade shows could still be about selling products and having fun, but programs that advance the industry found a place as well.
“That was a big decision to make,” Hill said of starting Show Ways Unlimited. “Any time you start a business, it is a big deal. The number of shows I was doing at the time made me wonder if I could make it. But when I got underway, I realized I was reasonably good at it.”
All Those Shows
Shows for manufactured housing professionals were held in Kansas City, Mo., Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, GA, Louisville, Ken., Tulsa, Okla., New Orleans, LA, Tunica, Miss., Omaha, Neb., Nashville, Tenn., and Atlantic City, N.J.
Tim DeWitt, former director of the MMHRVC, worked in collaboration with Dennis for a good portion of his 39 years in the business.
“He found a niche, and honed in on it. I think what’s made him as successful as he has been, is because when you’re in a state association it’s very helpful to be able to work with a private promoter who has more room to move and can make decisions to get something implemented a lot faster than you’d be able to working in public sphere.”
DeWitt recalls Hill as a true football nut, always wearing his Bulldogs ball cap during move-in days prior to a show.
“He was always a calming influence, and that’s important. He supported us in good times and bad, and we could rally around that,” DeWitt said.
Eventually, the Atlanta show grew up and moved to Nashville. It turned from an outdoor / indoor show, to a regional affair. The Nashville show was held at the Opryland hotel complex and outgrew that space, too. This resulted in the move to Tunica, Miss., which was where the show continued to be held each March until it traveled south to Biloxi in 2022.
Still ‘Crazy for That’ After 50 Years in Manufactured Housing
Today, The Louisville Show is the largest gathering of MH professionals in the Midwest, is sponsored by five state association, and boasts the largest collection of model homes displayed indoor anywhere in the United States. A record number of nearly 3,000 attendees are expected at this year’s show.
Dennis Hill’s own plaque at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, bestowed when he was inducted in 2004, reads: “He has brought hundreds of manufacturers together with thousands of retail centers for the betterment of the housing industry and has returned over $3.5 million to the state associations that sponsor the shows.”
In 1998, Hill also was named “Industry Person of the Year” by the industry publication The Journal.
Running shows and managing relationships within the manufactured housing industry has been a dynamic experience in recent decades. He continues to view his role as one of providing increased professionalism at each event.
“This is where we are today,” Hill said. “It’s important to recognize and understand how to trust, and how to get the job done just as you say you are going to get it done.
“I’ve hung in there with it, and I’m proud of that.”
Dennis has had a great “show site” office manager in Michele Middleton. She has played an integral part in assisting him at the show since the Nashville Show. To add to his Roswell office, Hill has had Trisha Ragoopath join on as his office manager about a year ago.
Still Work To Be Done
Though 2018 marks his 50 years in manufactured housing, Hill said he has plenty to contribute and makes no mention of retirement.
“Looking back, the trade show was definitely what I enjoyed the most,” he said. “I guess I’m crazy for that, but there’s something about it I really liked, and I still do.”
Hill continues to run his business from Roswell, Ga., and lives nearby in Alpharetta, Ga., with his wife Nancy. Married for 53 years, the couple has a daughter, Allison Sims, two grandchildren, Bri and Max Sims, and their wonderful family dog Beau.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Deregulatory Climate to Review Its Manufactured Housing Rules, Seeks Public Comment
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a top-to-bottom review of its manufactured housing rules as part of a broader effort to identify regulations that may be ineffective, overly burdensome, or excessively costly given the critical need for affordable housing.
The White House from Adventure Homes
For the next 30 days, HUD is accepting public comments to identify existing or planned manufactured housing regulatory actions to assess their actual and potential compliance costs and whether those costs are justified against the backdrop of the nation’s shortage of affordable housing. Read HUD’s notice.
Shortly after taking office, President Trump issued Executive Order 13771 (“Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs”), directing federal agencies to identify or streamline regulations that are wasteful, inefficient or unnecessary.
HUD Secretary Ben Carson quickly followed by charging the Department’s Regulatory Review Task Force to identify HUD’s existing rules that may inhibit job creation or impose costs that exceed the public benefit.
Deregulate Affordable Housing Sector
Manufactured housing plays a vital role in meeting the nation’s affordable housing needs, providing nearly 10 percent of the total single-family housing stock.
It’s estimated that more than 22 million American households reside in manufactured housing, particularly in rural areas where this form of housing represents an even greater share of occupied homes.
The manufactured housing industry is also an important economic engine, accounting for approximately 35,000 jobs nationwide.
HUD’s regulation of manufactured housing fulfills a critical role to ensure a fair and efficient market that supplies affordable housing for households of modest incomes and protecting consumers.
HUD may adopt, revise, and interpret its manufactured housing rules based upon the public’s comments it receives and the recommendations of the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee, a statutory federal advisory committee comprised of producers or retailers of manufactured housing as well as consumers, residents and public officials.
MHInsider Magazine for manufactured housing professionals.
New MHInsider Magazine for Manufactured Housing Industry Professionals Gains Initial Circulation Jan. 17-19 at 2018 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show
MHVillage, the nation’s number one website for manufactured housing, has launched the MHInsider magazine, a new print publication for manufactured housing industry professionals.
The new magazine will debut at the 2018 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show Jan. 17-19.
The introductory issue of the MHInsider is a 50-page, full-color print publication. The magazine contains editorial contributions from industry experts that range on topic from new home trends to water submetering, MH sales tips and community profiles to briefings on the latest in industry finance and lending.
“Following the successful launch of the MHInsider blog for manufactured housing professionals, it became apparent there was an opportunity for an associated print magazine,” MHVillage Co-President and Chief Business Development Officer Darren Krolewski said. “For a large number of MHVillage customers, the MHInsider magazine will serve as the preferred format for picking up the latest and most relevant news from the manufactured housing industry.”
The MHInsider Magazine Fills Industry Void
The manufactured housing industry has been without a print trade publication since the last industry journal discontinued publication in December 2016.
“Professionals who have been in the business for much of their careers remember the names of the many publications that have come before us,” Krolewski said. “We recognize those contributions and legacies, and while some aspects of our publication will harken back to the publications we have enjoyed, the MHInsider will look forward, as well, in ways that will be noticed and appreciated by the many manufactured home ‘insiders’ we look to serve.”
MHVillage assists in selling, purchasing, and renting manufactured housing.
Each year, MHVillage registers approximately 25 million unique visitors. In 2017, MHVillage boasted 148 million page views, providing a platform for more than $3 billion in home sales and rentals. MHVillage also provides services to consumers and professionals in the areas of home building, retail, community management, brokerage, investment and finance.
The intent for the MHInsider magazine is to expand the informative, industry-positive conversation that strikes a balance between feature profiles, industry trends, and the latest news.
Industry Reaction to The MHInsider Magazine
“MHVillage has stepped up to the plate and invested in launching a new print magazine to offer members of the manufactured housing industry a new source of knowledge,” said Ken Rishel, of Rishel Consulting Group, who serves as one of the MHInsider’s expert columnists. “Typical of everything they do, this is a high-quality, first-class publication that is actually better than most of the now gone publications.”
The MHInsider will be published four times per year along with additional distribution at industry events. The magazine will be a companion publication to the MHInsider blog for professionals, which is updated on a daily-to-weekly basis and includes a bi-weekly email newsletter. The blog newsletter provides the latest industry news and trends directly to the inbox of MH professionals.
Additionally, readers can sign up at www.MHInsider.com to receive the MHInsider print magazine in the mail, where they also can read an electronic version of the magazine, and stay up-to-date with manufactured housing industry news via the MHInsider professional blog and social channels.
Call for MHInsider Magazine Content, Advertising
For advertising opportunities with the MHInsider magazine and blog, please contact MHInsider Account Executive Matthew O’Brian at (877) 406-0232. For editorial feedback and contributions, please contact MHInsider Managing Editor Patrick Revere at (616) 888-6994.
A Shortlist of Leading Local Attractions for Your Stay in Louisville
When manufactured housing professionals think of a stay in Louisville, they think of the industry-leading trade show held there each year. But there are many good reasons to extend your stay in Derby City.
Each of the following Louisville attractions is within eight miles of the Louisville Exposition Center, and each has indoor exhibits that run through the winter. Make sure to check each attraction’s website for hours and pricing before your stay in Louisville — and don’t forget your walking shoes!
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Head to Louisville’s “Museum Row”, located in downtown’s West Main District, and find museums for everyone. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is loved by baseball fans and curious observers alike. As the lore goes, 17-year-old J.A. “Bud” Hillerich made the first slugger bat for Louisville Eclipse star Pete Browning after he broke his bat during a game Hillerich attended in 1884. With this new bat, Browning got three hits in his next game. Ever since, Louisville Sluggers have been the bat of choice for most major league players. Learn the history of baseball and see how bats are made as you stroll around the museum, or take a tour of the factory — each tourist receives a free mini baseball bat, but true fanatics can have an original custom-designed in the gift shop. You’ll also try out historic bat models at the batting cages and see the world’s largest baseball bat.
Love boxing, history, civil rights? Another must-see on Museum Row, the Muhammad Ali Center, follows Ali’s life through exhibits featuring his six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality. Immerse yourself in Ali’s life, from his youth in Louisville to his conversion to Islam, name change and all 15 of his championship fights — sitting through each one is optional. See his clothing and try out a boxing ring to get a true taste of Ali’s stature and skill. The many exhibits, quotes, videos and interactive timelines can be a bit of a sensory overload, so you may find it easier to simply listen to, or take, a guided tour. This one will get you — the museum’s website says you’ll not only explore the heart of Ali, but reflect upon your own “individual values, inner strength, character, and what makes you the greatest person you can be”.
Just south of the Muhammad Ali center, this bourbon distillery boasts tasting rooms themed for different historical eras. Bourbon, a type of whiskey, originated in Kentucky more than 200 years ago. Evan Williams was the first commercial distiller. Today, 95 percent of bourbon is made in Kentucky, and a third of that is made within Louisville city limits. With flavor possibilities ranging from cinnamon to caramel chews to cornbread, you might find yourself enjoying a taste test, even if whiskey isn’t necessarily your thing. At the Evan Williams Experience, you’ll get to taste four bourbons and learn how they’re made through the guided “Speakeasy” tour. If you simply want to toss back a couple of drinks during your stay in Louisville, without the hustle of a tour, check out local favorites Angel’s Envy or the Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar, both located in the West Main District as well.
Yet another in the West Main District, built in 1925, the Speed is the oldest, largest art museum in Kentucky. This one is for the art lovers; if you take your time, you could spend all day here. Or, simply check out a few highlights, such as Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Forty-Year-Old Woman, or take a guided tour. Not only does this modern space house art, the Neo-Classical museum is itself seen by many as art. The Speed boasts art from all over the world, sorted geographically by floor. You’ll see 19th century Nigerian beading, a fine collection of European Fine Arts and Decorative Arts, Flemish paintings and a sculpture court, as well as a new avant-garde and modern art wing. If you’re bringing kids, don’t worry. They’re provided sketchbooks and tasked with a scavenger hunt.
Carved out of a massive limestone quarry over a period of 42 years in the 1800s, this man-made cavern features 17 miles of underground passageways. The largest building and recycling center in the state, recycled concrete, brick, block and dirt create passageways and rooms, but they still barely make a dent in the 4 million square-feet of space. The six underground ziplines here are the main attraction. You’ll follow tour guides as they take you on an up to 2.5-hour adventure — you’ll even learn a little geology. Visitors must be at least 7 years old and weigh between 55 and 285 pounds.
The Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs Racetrack
The famous Churchill Downs racing facility.
You can’t stay in Louisville without getting at least a glimpse of Churchill Downs. In two floors of exhibits, experience the entirety of a Thoroughbred horse’s life — from birth to their first race day. Your heart will pump as you watch an 18-minute documentary at one of the world’s only 360-degree theaters. You’ll experience not only the history of the derby and of horse racing itself, but have a chance to try it out on a racing simulator.
Outdoor portions of the walking tour may be on hiatus for the winter, but there’s still plenty to see inside the museum!
A manufactured home community near Salt Lake City, Utah.
January 2018 JLT Market Reports Include Information From Three New Markets in Arizona, North Carolina
JLT Market Reports for Arizona, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah are available now.
Datacomp, the nation’s #1 provider of market data for the manufactured housing industry, today announced the publication of its January 2018 JLT Market Reports for manufactured home community rent and occupancy in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina and Utah.
Recognized as the industry standard for manufactured home community market analysis for more than 20 years, JLT Market Reports provide detailed research and information on communities located in 135 major housing markets throughout the United States, including the latest rent trends and statistics, marketing programs and a variety of other useful management insights.
Datacomp’s manufactured housing market data published in the January 2018 JLT Market Reports includes information on 324 “All ages” and “55+” manufactured home communities located in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina and Utah. Altogether, the reports include data representations for about 77,509 homesites.
2018 Reports Boast Three New Markets
“Our 2018 Arizona report includes valuable information from the new Flagstaff and Yuma markets that provide data on 24 additional communities representing nearly 3,500 homesites. The addition of Greensboro to the North Carolina reports means an additional 15 communities and more than 2,900 homesites for decision making on properties in North Carolina,” Datacomp Co-President and Chief Business Development Officer Darren Krolewski said. “We believe the expansion of reports from Arizona and North Carolina will further assist our customers in making solid business decisions in those markets.”
Each JLT manufactured home community rent and occupancy report published by Datacomp includes detailed information about investment grade communities in the major markets, including number of homesites, occupancy rates, average mobile home community rents and increases, community amenities, vacant sites, and repossessed and inventory homes.
JLT Market Reports also include management insights that rank communities by number of homesites, occupancy rates and highest to lowest rents. Established reports show trends in each market with a comparison of January 2018 rents and occupancy rates to January 2017, as well as a historical recap of rents and occupancy from 1996 to present date in most markets.
How to Obtain January 2018 JLT Market Reports
The January 2018 JLT Reports for markets in New Mexico, North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah are available for purchase and immediate download online at the Datacomp JLT Market Report website at www.datacompusa.com/JLT, or they may be ordered by phone in electronic or printed editions at (800) 588-5426. Each fully updated report for mobile home communities is a comprehensive look at investment grade properties within a market, enabling owners and managers, lenders, appraisers, brokers and other organizations to effectively benchmark those communities and make informed decisions.
Agreement Creates Nation’s Largest Publicly Traded Factory-Built Housing Company
ELKHART, Ind. and TROY, Mich., Jan. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Skyline Corporation (“Skyline”) (AMEX: SKY) and Champion Enterprises Holdings, LLC (“Champion”), the parent company of Champion Home Builders, Inc., today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the two companies to combine their operations. Under the terms of the agreement, Champion will contribute 100% of the shares of its operating subsidiaries, Champion Home Builders, Inc. and CHB International B.V., to Skyline. In exchange, Skyline is currently expected to issue approximately 47.8 million shares to Champion, representing 84.5% of the common stock of the combined company on a fully-diluted basis. Prior to closing, Skyline expects to declare a dividend to its existing shareholders of its excess net cash available for distribution under the agreement after certain transactional expenses.
Among the numerous benefits the combined company is expected to bring to all stakeholders include:
Significantly increased size and scale, with pro forma combined revenue of greater than $1 billion over the past twelve months*
Strong pro forma balance sheet and significant cash flow to support continued flexibility and long-term strategic growth
Significant annual synergies
The combined company will be known as Skyline Champion Corporation and trade on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “SKY.” The Board of Directors will comprise eleven members, nine of which will be directors designated by Champion and two of which will be designated by Skyline. Upon closing of the transaction, Champion Chief Executive Officer, Keith Anderson, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Champion Corporation. Additionally, Laurie Hough, Champion Chief Financial Officer, will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company. Skyline anticipates nominating John Firth, current Chairman of the Board of Skyline, and Rich Florea, current Chief Executive Officer of Skyline, as Directors of the combined company and Art Decio, an original founder of Skyline and member of the Board of Directors since 1959, as a senior advisor to the combined company’s Board of Directors. Skyline Champion Corporation’s principal offices will remain in Elkhart, Indiana with additional executive offices in Troy, Michigan.
The business combination will create the nation’s largest publicly traded factory-built housing company, with greater than $1 billion in pro forma revenue over the past twelve months.* The combined company will have an expansive operational footprint throughout North America, with 36 manufacturing facilities, 24 of which are in the top 20 states for manufactured housing shipments. Skyline Champion Corporation will offer manufactured, modular and park model homes as well as commercial structures. Additionally, the combined company will have 21 owned factory-direct retail locations and provide transportation services to the manufactured housing industry from 10 locations across the United States.
It is anticipated that the transaction will generate significant annual synergies to be achieved through direct cost savings, reduced overhead costs and operational improvement opportunities. Additional synergies also are expected through cross-selling and distribution optimization by leveraging the combined company’s owned and independent dealer network.
Rich Florea, Chief Executive Officer of Skyline said, “The combination of Skyline and Champion represents a unique opportunity for two well-respected companies with strong brand history to come together and continue providing high-quality homes for customers, while also providing the greatest long-term value for shareholders. The combined company will have a strong presence throughout North America and will operate at a significant scale in addition to offering a broader choice of homes to customers. We believe Skyline Champion Corporation will be well positioned for impressive growth in the coming years, to the benefit of employees, shareholders and customers.”
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Champion commented, “Getting to know the Skyline team has reaffirmed our belief that the two companies are a great fit for a combination. Both companies share a deep commitment to providing quality products and outstanding customer service. We will remain focused on executing our strategy as an even stronger company. I am particularly pleased that Art Decio has agreed to serve as a senior advisor to the Board. Art is a legendary figure in manufactured housing and we are fortunate to have the benefit of his lifelong commitment to quality and integrity in our industry.”
Art Decio, Skyline’s largest shareholder, has agreed to vote in favor of and fully support the transaction.
Art commented, “Champion and Skyline are tremendous brands in our industry, both dating back to the 1950s. Walter and Henry, Champion’s founders, built a tremendous company that will be a great partner with Skyline. Both Skyline and Champion share similar corporate cultures and have earned a reputation for uncompromising integrity across their relationships with communities, retailers, suppliers and customers. Skyline Champion Corporation will be well positioned to continue to grow and serve its customers with the best products the industry has to offer.”
The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2018, is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions as well as the approval of Skyline shareholders. In connection with the transaction, Skyline intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement and other relevant materials and documents regarding the proposed transaction.
Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor to Skyline and Barnes & Thornburg LLP acted as Skyline’s legal counsel. Ice Miller LLP acted as legal counsel to Skyline’s Special Committee of the Board. RBC Capital Markets, LLC served as financial advisor to Champion and Ropes & Gray LLP acted as Champion’s legal counsel.
In connection with the transaction, Skyline and Champion have received a joint commitment from RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Jefferies LLC, contingent upon the closing of the transaction, to consolidate and upsize existing revolving credit facilities for use by the combined company.
About Skyline Corporation:
Skyline Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries design, produce, and market manufactured housing, modular housing, and park models to independent dealers, developers, campgrounds, and manufactured housing communities located throughout the United States and Canada. The company has eight manufacturing facilities in seven states. Skyline Corporation was originally incorporated in Indiana in 1959, as successor to a business founded in 1951, and is one of the largest producers of manufactured and modular housing in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.skylinecorp.com.
About Champion Enterprises Holdings, LLC:
Champion Enterprises Holdings, LLC was formed in 2010 as the parent company of Champion Home Builders, Inc. which was founded in 1953. Champion Home Builders specializes in a wide variety of manufactured and modular homes, park-model RVs and modular buildings for the multi-family, hospitality, senior and workforce housing sectors. The company operates 28 manufacturing facilities throughout North America. Additionally, Champion operates a factory-direct retail business, Titan Factory Direct, with 21 retail locations spanning the southern U.S., and Star Fleet Trucking, providing transportation services to the manufactured housing industry from 10 dispatch locations across the United States. Champion is majority owned by funds affiliated with Bain Capital Credit (https://www.baincapitalcredit.com), Centerbridge Partners, L.P. (https://www.centerbridge.com), and MAK Capital. For more information, visit https://www.championhomes.com.
Three Days for Manufactured Housing Professionals at Soaring Eagle in Mid Michigan
Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is the venue for the 2026 Michigan Manufactured...
The manufactured housing industry has been without a print trade publication since the last industry journal discontinued publication in December 2016.
