Day 2: The Excitement Continues at Deck Expo

Yesterday was an exciting first day at Deck Expo. It was amazing to see all the builders and exhibitors packed in Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, TX., catching up with each other. Today is shaping up to be another exciting day with the show’s packed schedule of industry experts who will be on hand to share their knowledge with show guests.

Most notably, Deck Specialist will be on hand at the Outdoor Living Stage (Booth 5911) from 12 noon until 12:45 p.m. to moderate a Decking Power panel discussion between April Edwards (moderator), Andy Henley, Mike Mitchell, and Levi Tippetts on how to market your company and craft creative marketing campaigns.

At 12:45 p.m., we will announce the winners of Facebook’s Deck Building 101 Photo Contest. Winners will also be announced online for those who are not in attendance at the show. The winning projects are featured in the first printed issues of the November/December edition of Deck Specialist magazine that will be at our booth (#5905) or in the literature bins as you enter the show (while supplies last). 

We will return at 1 p.m. for our second Decking Power Panel on how to elevate your decking business to the next level. April Edwards, Andy Henley, Mike Mitchell, Levi Tippett and Shawn Miller will share tips on how to elevate your decking business to the next level.

In addition to the Decking Power Panel discussions, the show has a packed schedule of must-see decking events taking place across the show floor. Here’s a list of other events happening today:

• 8-9 a.m. - Deck Business Growth Playbook: Advanced Marketing Strategies for the Digital Age - C155- April Edwards, CEO & Growth Strategist at Deck Builder Marketers

April will dive deeper into the sophisticated strategies that deck and patio construction businesses need to adopt to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Her interactive session will provide actionable insights and advanced tactics for leveraging SEO, content marketing, and social media to triple sales and amplify brand presence.

 • 11-11:45 a.m. - Building Better Decks: Code Compliant, Superior Solutions - Outdoor Living Stage, Booth 5911 - Tony McClem, Hollywood Decks

• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - DECKx Talk: Seal the Deal-Secrets to a 90% Close Ratio - C155 - Chris Breen, Lacey McGee and Nick Stevens, Legacy Decks

Attendees can swipe a copy of the Legacy Decks Planning & Design Template, the first step in boosting sales success. This tool helps builders work with clients who appreciate the value you bring, weeding out tire kickers and time-wasters.

Avoid the frustration of lost deals and high client objections. This session will unveil strategies to achieve an impressive 90% close ratio. Learn the secrets of effective sales techniques, from building client rapport to creating compelling proposals. Understand the psychology of sales and tailor your approach to each client. With the Legacy Decks Planning & Design Template, you'll be equipped to close more deals at premium prices confidently.

• 12-12:45 p.m. - Deck Specialist’s Deck Power Panel: Marketing to the Max – Craft Creative Marketing Campaigns - Outdoor Living Stage, Booth 5911 - Andy Henley, Hen-House Decks; April Edwards, Deck Builder Marketers; Levi Tippetts, TC Decks; Mike Mitchell, Mitchell Construction

Marketing expert and Deck Specialist columnist April Edwards moderates a panel of three of the nation’s leading deck builders—Mike Mitchell, Andy Henley; and Levi Tippetts—discussing how to effectively and economically deliver impactful marketing campaigns to capitalize on potential business and spur future growth.

• 1-1:45 p.m. - Deck Specialist’s Deck Power Panel: Elevate Your Decking Business to the Next Level - Outdoor Living Stage, Booth 5911

Maximizing the profitability of every outdoor living job while continuing to grow your business requires careful planning. Deck Specialist moderates a panel of three of the nation’s leading deck builders—Mike Mitchell, Andy Henley; and Levi Tippetts—discussing strategies to take your deck business to its highest level.

• 1-2 p.m. - Decks Done Right: Ledgers - Decks Done Right Stage, Booth 5512 - Rachel Holland and Scott Fischer, Simpson Strong-Tie

One of the most important and primary connections on your deck is that of the ledger back to the home structure. Though a common cause of deck failure is when the ledger pulls away from the primary structure, resulting in complete collapse, when this critical wood member and the fasteners that attach it to the home are properly constructed, the load path is completed to help restrain the deck from collapse. Learn about the code requirements and the fasteners and connectors that are necessary in order to maintain support from the deck all the way back into the primary structure.

 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. - DECKx Talk: From Guesswork to Guaranteed Profits – How to Fix Your Estimates - C155, Chris Breen, Legacy Decks; Josh Ferri, Lakeside Decking

Want to eliminate guesswork and price jobs with confidence? Attendees will receive our Markup and Margin Calculator and training on how to use it effectively.

 Avoid the devastating pitfalls of inaccurate estimates, such as falling into debt, robbing Peter to pay Paul, and the resulting stress and anxiety. Improper estimating can lead to financial instability, strained client relationships, and business failure. This session provides practical tools and techniques to create precise and profitable estimates. Learn to factor in all costs, avoid common mistakes, and present estimates that win contracts and ensure profitability. With our Markup and Margin Calculator, you’ll streamline your estimating process and maximize profitability on every job, securing a stable and successful future for your business.

• 2-2:45 p.m. - Maximizing Revenue with Exclusive Leads and Financing Options - Outdoor Living Stage – Booth 5911 - Ryan Pedersen, HomeBuddy; Andrew Lutz, Upgrade

Deck Builders that incorporate exclusive lead generation with a strong financing partner are closing more deals and increasing their yearly revenue. This highly informative and interactive session will delve into the world of modern lead generation and financing options that will help you win more customers. Come prepared to learn how the biggest home project contractors in the U.S. are growing through incorporating these tools into their marketing and sales processes.

 • 2:15-3:15 p.m. - Decks Done Right: Corrosion & Pressure Treated Wood - Decks Done Right Stage, Booth 5512 - Eddy Longshore, Culpeper Wood Preservers

Most deck experts say that the average life expectancy of a typical deck is somewhere between 10-20 years. When decks are exposed to the elements, deterioration, rot, decay and corrosion can occur on both the wood members and steel connectors and fasteners We will discuss the primary warning signs to look for on an existing deck, as well as learn more about the different coatings and steel specifications in addition to the various types of wood treatment that we should expect to see under some of the different weather, location and outdoor conditions. 

• 3-3:45 p.m. - Crafting the Perfect Fence Enclosure – A Blueprint for Fence Contractors and Pool Contractors - Outdoor Living Stage – Booth 5911

Tailored specifically for professionals in the fencing and pool industry. Led by our team of experts, this session will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to deliver exceptional outdoor spaces for your clients, including meeting client expectations, selecting optimal materials, exploring design possibilities, incorporating safety features, streamlining installation processes, and providing ongoing maintenance support.

 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Decks Done Right: Railings and Stairs - Decks Done Right Stage, Booth 5512 - Rachel Holland and Scott Fischer, Simpson Strong-Tie

A crucial connection pertaining to deck safety that is often inadequately constructed is the guard post and railing connection both surrounding the perimeter of your deck and the guard and fall protection of the stairs. Code requirements for railing height, resisting forces, post connection, hold down detailing and guardrail infill to name a few are several items that are not always put together properly. Learn what to look for when making sure that these members and connections are fastened and connected properly, and find out more about stair stringers, treads, guard opening limitations as well as the forces that these areas must be able to resist.

 • 3:30-4:30 p.m. - DECKx Talk: Buy Back Your Time – How to Build a Team of A-Players - C155 - Amy Breen, Legacy Decks; Bruce and Judy Verblaauw, NJ Decks & Railing; Josh Ferri, Lakeside Decking

Want to reclaim your time and build a team of top performers? Attendees will receive the Deck Builder Hiring Matrix, a powerful tool to help attract, hire, and retain A-Players who drive your business forward.

 Avoid the pains of high turnover, low productivity, and constant hiring stress. Without a strong team, you face burnout, decreased profits, and business stagnation. This session explores strategies for creating a company culture that attracts the best talent, reduces turnover, and enhances productivity. Learn how to build a dream team that operates efficiently and allows you to focus on strategic growth. The Deck Builder Hiring Matrix will help you streamline your hiring process, ensuring you bring on board only those who add real value to your business.