October Member Meeting: GHCBA Political Forum 🗳️
🇺🇸 Great conversations, valuable insight, and strong community connections! Our recent GHCBA Lunch & Learn brought members and local speakers together for an engaging Political Forum focused on the issues that matter most to our local communities and the building industry. Attendees had the opportunity to hear different perspectives, ask questions, share ideas, and participate in meaningful conversations about the future of our area.
🎟️ We also had the excitement of our Sportsman Raffle drawing during the meeting! A huge thank-you to everyone who purchased tickets, helped sell tickets, and supported this fundraiser. Your involvement and generosity help make events like these possible!
👏 We are grateful to our local speakers for taking the time to join us, share their knowledge, and engage with our members. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this Lunch & Learn a success. We look forward to continuing to bring our building community together through opportunities to connect, learn, and grow! 🏡
September Member Meeting: The Reece Group – REMAX Town & Country 🏘️
At our September Lunch & Learn we welcomed Ashley, Sherri, and Emily with The Reece Group from REMAX Town & Country. They shared updates on local real estate trends, pricing strategies, and property features that can help drive sales.
The team discussed the current shift toward a buyer’s market, with approximately six months of housing inventory available in Gilmer County. They also highlighted the value of installing Wi-Fi in areas with limited cell service and shared insights into features buyers should prioritize or avoid.
Short-term rentals were another key topic, with Sherri noting that 80–90% of her sales involve properties intended for short-term rental use. Many buyers hope to generate rental income now and retire to their properties later.
This discussion also sparked interest in future educational opportunities for GHCBA members on short-term rentals.
We appreciate The Reece Group for sharing their expertise and helping our members stay informed about the trends shaping our local housing market! 🏡
While we weren't able to get any photos from this meeting, we greatly appreciate The Reece Group and their contribution to our organization!
August Member Meeting: LP Smartside 🏡
At our August Lunch & Learn, we were excited to welcome our members and guests back from summer break! Representatives from LP SmartSide joined us for an informative presentation highlighting LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding products. Attendees learned more about the products’ durability, appearance, installation benefits, and other features designed to provide lasting value for both builders and homeowners.
We were also pleased to welcome Gabe Chatham, President of the Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG), and Austin Hackney, HBAG Executive Officer. Gabe and Austin introduced themselves to our members, shared more about the resources and support available through the state association, and encouraged members to become more involved at both the local and state levels. They also emphasized their availability as a resource and their commitment to supporting our members and the building industry throughout Georgia.
Thank you to LP SmartSide, Gabe, and Austin for joining us, and to all of our members and guests who helped make our first meeting back from summer break a great one!🔨🍽️
Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser: May 2026 ⛳️
The Georgia High Country Builders Association would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our 2026 Annual Golf Tournament! Thanks to the incredible support of our players, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, this year's event was a tremendous success!
The tournament brought together members of the building industry and local community for a day of networking, friendly competition, and fundraising. We were thrilled by the outstanding turnout and grateful for the many businesses and individuals who contributed their time, resources, and sponsorships to help make the event possible. We appreciate the commitment of our sponsors and participants and are proud of what we can accomplish together! 👏🏻🏌
May Member Meeting: Owens Corning's composite products
May Lunch & Learn member meeting continued the success of our growing meeting format with an engaging presentation from Owens Corning representatives. Members and guests had the opportunity to learn about Owens Corning’s innovative composite decking and framing materials, including the durability, performance, and long-term benefits these products provide for modern residential and commercial construction projects. The meeting offered valuable industry insight, meaningful networking opportunities, and continued education for building professionals while showcasing new products and solutions shaping the future of the construction industry 🏡🔨
April Member Meeting: US Lumber - Solarwood products!
Our April Lunch & Learn meeting was another great success as we continue to grow and expand our new meeting format. Members and guests enjoyed an informative and engaging presentation from US Lumber representatives, who showcased Solarwood thermally modified wood products and discussed the benefits, durability, and innovative applications of these materials in today’s building industry. The event provided a great opportunity for networking, education, and meaningful conversation among industry professionals while highlighting new products and advancements that support the future of residential and commercial construction 🪵🪚
March Member Meeting: First ever Lunch & Learn Meeting!
The Georgia High Country Builders Association kicked off its first-ever Lunch & Learn Member Meeting with a great turnout and an engaging presentation from Great Southern Wood Preserving. Members gathered to learn more about Evolve Stone products, gaining insight into this innovative stone solution while enjoying time to connect and network. The event received a fantastic response from attendees, making it a successful start to our new Lunch & Learn series! 👷♂️🍽️
Swearing-In of the 2026 Board Members: February 2026
Here’s to new leadership and a new year ahead! 🎉 We were proud to swear in our Georgia High Country Builders Association board members, who are ready to lead, serve, and support our industry and communities. Congratulations to all of our board members and this year's president, Pete Folger!
Annual Golf Tournament : May 2025
Swinging for a cause! ⛳ Our annual Georgia High Country Builders Association Golf Tournament brought together amazing sponsors and participants, raising funds that make a real impact in our local communities. Thank you to everyone who helped us give back and support the places we call home!
