Blog
Sep
27
2018
BUILD Retreat 2018, Wow. What a weekend!
BUILD Retreat is celebrating 10 years of collaboration, connection and giving back and it just gets better every year. I LOVE being part of this amazing group of professionals leading Oregon's design and building industry. This year, Sustainable Northwest Wood was proud to be a sponsor. Our own Tamra Rooney, who has been on the Build Planning Committee for the past three years, presented more than 100 participants with a beautiful Big Leaf Maple cutting board donated by Sustainable NW Wood as commemorative 10th Anniversary gift to be enjoyed for years to come.
BUILD Retreat was formed in 2009 in an effort to bring together designers, contractors and suppliers to make connections and build relationships. Members of NWSID, NARI, NKBA and HBA Pro come together for this annual event which was held in the gorgeous community of Hood River this year. The weekend was filled with opportunities to make new friends and visit with old ones.
Friday kicked us off with a Day of Connection, which included a wine tour & epic scavenger hunt, a golfing excursion, an interactive grilling course, and my choice of a fishing tournament on the Columbia River. I never miss an opportunity to be on the water and this was a perfect day for it. Our guide Bobby Brown, was knowledgeable, skilled and entertaining. His fearless first mate, All Star, was definitely a highlight of the day, especially since the size of my fish was not! The hours passed quickly and I had a chance to get to know my fishing buddy, Scott Weaver with Riggs and Martin Remodeling, better than I could have at a "normal" networking event. We talked about business, the economy, and opportunities to work together, but also about kids, family, and favorite hiking trails. It's this kind of deeper connection that makes BUILD so special.
The Day of Connection turned into a night of live music, dancing and lots of laughter. Thanks to the CFM Hospitality Suite, there may or may not have been a little cocktail driven mayhem. The mayhem continued Saturday for the Common Ground team building day, complete with a Field Day inspired theme. Amy Bright and her crew of merry makers out did themselves with this one. Let's just say this was an epic day of cooperation, collaboration and gut busting giggles. The Zorbs were quite literally a hit and I hope the newlyweds survived their first tumble!
The third arm of the mission of BUILD Retreat is Giving Back. This year, with the silent auction, raffle and paddle raise, this amazing group raised over $20,000 for ReFit, a non-profit organization that supports people that are physically and financially challenged stay safely in their homes. It is so heart warming to be part of such a generous community who give back in such a meaningful way.
Friday kicked us off with a Day of Connection, which included a wine tour & epic scavenger hunt, a golfing excursion, an interactive grilling course, and my choice of a fishing tournament on the Columbia River. I never miss an opportunity to be on the water and this was a perfect day for it. Our guide Bobby Brown, was knowledgeable, skilled and entertaining. His fearless first mate, All Star, was definitely a highlight of the day, especially since the size of my fish was not! The hours passed quickly and I had a chance to get to know my fishing buddy, Scott Weaver with Riggs and Martin Remodeling, better than I could have at a "normal" networking event. We talked about business, the economy, and opportunities to work together, but also about kids, family, and favorite hiking trails. It's this kind of deeper connection that makes BUILD so special.
The Day of Connection turned into a night of live music, dancing and lots of laughter. Thanks to the CFM Hospitality Suite, there may or may not have been a little cocktail driven mayhem. The mayhem continued Saturday for the Common Ground team building day, complete with a Field Day inspired theme. Amy Bright and her crew of merry makers out did themselves with this one. Let's just say this was an epic day of cooperation, collaboration and gut busting giggles. The Zorbs were quite literally a hit and I hope the newlyweds survived their first tumble!
The third arm of the mission of BUILD Retreat is Giving Back. This year, with the silent auction, raffle and paddle raise, this amazing group raised over $20,000 for ReFit, a non-profit organization that supports people that are physically and financially challenged stay safely in their homes. It is so heart warming to be part of such a generous community who give back in such a meaningful way.
With all the opportunities for personal and professional growth, networking and connection, BUILD Retreat once again has immersed me deeper into this incredible design/build community and more importantly, has given me some lifelong friends.