Reflections on the 2025 Southeastern Building Conference (SEBC)

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 2025 Southeastern Building Conference (SEBC) alongside HomeAid Orlando Executive Director Russ Beyer and Operations Manager Annamae Kacsandi. The energy at this year’s event was palpable—from the opening moments to the final minutes of the trade show floor on Friday afternoon, attendees remained actively engaged, connecting with exhibitors and each other.

SEBC proved to be an incredibly meaningful experience for both HomeAid Orlando as well as HomeAid America. These events offer so much more than just visibility—they serve as a powerful platform to amplify our mission, build new relationships, and lay the groundwork for future opportunities.

One of the greatest benefits of attending trade shows like SEBC is the ability to increase awareness of HomeAid’s mission to help end homelessness through housing and outreach. When these events are located within an affiliate's region, there’s an added layer of impact—we often see an increase in local engagement, whether through volunteer recruitment, in-kind donations, sponsorship opportunities, or new partnerships.

From a national perspective, shows like SEBC also allow us to gauge interest in expansion markets. At this year’s event, we had multiple inquiries about HomeAid’s presence in Tampa—a market where we currently do not have an affiliate. However, Tampa is on our list of potential expansion cities, and the interest shown at SEBC is a strong indicator that we may want to elevate its priority moving forward.

Personally, attending trade shows like SEBC is a source of deep pride. There’s something incredibly meaningful about seeing people’s reactions when they learn about the work HomeAid is doing. More often than not, they respond with heartfelt thanks—a reminder of the impact we’re making in communities across the country.

SEBC 2025 was a tremendous success, and we’re excited to share that both HomeAid Orlando and HomeAid America are already committed to attending SEBC 2026. We look forward to continuing these meaningful conversations and connections—and to seeing you all next year!