Elevate Your Sales Game With Bradley Hartmann |
Get ready to go on offense in 2026 with The Air Raid Sales Offense, a high-energy, one and a half day sales workshop led by bestselling author and industry trainer Bradley Hartmann. Designed for dealers and suppliers, this hands-on program brings sales leaders, OSRs, and industry partners together for rapid-fire learning, competition, and practical exercises that drive real sales behavior change.
Attendees will learn how to manage time in ways builders value, differentiate beyond price, and turn objections into milestones while building stronger pipeline and accountability habits. Sponsorship opportunities are available for suppliers who want added visibility while learning alongside attendees. |
Air Raid Sales Offense Workshop |
February 26-27
Minneapolis, MN |
Women in the Industry at BizCon |
BLD Connection is proud to host a Women in the Industry gathering at each 2026 BizCon, creating space for connection, conversation, and community within the LBM industry. These casual meet and greets are designed to bring women together in a relaxed, welcoming environment where experiences can be shared, ideas exchanged, and relationships strengthened.
Whether you are new to the lumber and building materials industry or a seasoned professional, this gathering offers a meaningful opportunity to expand your network and celebrate the important role women play across all areas of LBM. The event is free to attend, open to all BizCon attendees, and advance registration, while not required, is appreciated. |
Women in the Industry at BizCon North
January 20, 2026
St. Cloud, MN |
Women in the Industry at BizCon South
February 3, 2026
Altoona, IA |
Supporting the Future of Our Industry Through Scholarships |
Supporting education is one way BLD Connection continues to strengthen the future of our industry. Through the Mid-America Regional Fund, the Nebraska Scholarship Fund and Wisconsin Lumber Dealers Education Foundation (WLDEF), members in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Upper Michigan can offer access to college scholarships for the 2026–2027 school year, along with Employee LumberTech Scholarships to help offset training costs for eligible employees. |
MLA and Nebraska college scholarship applications require a retail member signature, encouraging meaningful conversations about career paths in LBM. Please share these opportunities with your team members, and eligible community partners. Full details, applications, and posters are available using the links below. The college application deadline is March 1st. Employee training scholarship requests can be submitted when registering for a LumberTech class. |
2026 Retirement Plan Updates and Key RMD Reminders |
New year, new retirement plan numbers. The IRS has raised the 2026 contribution limits, giving employees more room to save through salary deferrals, standard catch-up contributions for age 50+, and the enhanced catch-up for ages 60–63.
The full article also breaks down Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), including when they start, who can delay them, and a key timing tip for retirees around year-end 2025. Read on for the updated limits and the RMD reminders to share with your team and plan participants. |
Prayer at Christmas Party From Federated Insurance
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Question We hold a Christmas party for our employees every year. At the beginning of the party, we invite employees to pray with us. We have an employee saying that we are not allowed to pray in the workplace because it violates her personal beliefs. We have told her that she doesn’t have to pray with us if she doesn’t want to, but she is claiming that we aren’t allowed to have a group prayer at all, even if she doesn’t join. Is this true? |
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