Industry Events

Window & Door Replacement Contractor Focus Groups Announced

MRA is announcing a schedule of focus groups to be held around the country to better understand how Professional Window & Door Replacement Contractors:

• Think about replacement fenestration products related to their end user customers and markets
• Conduct their own marketing of their goods and services
• Use current vendor supplied merchandising and sell-through programs
• Determine which new products will help them sell (with examples)
• Create value for their customers

Consumers may be tested in the same markets on the same dates. Please review the schedule below: (each group will seat 8 participants who use wood, vinyl, composite, fiberglass, steel and other fenestration materials)

1. Session RC0210…….Minneapolis – 03/02/10
2. Session RC0310…….Atlanta – 03/10/10
3. Session RC0410…….Portland – 03/16/10
4. Session RC0510……Boston – 03/23/2010
5. Session RC0610……San Diego – 03/25/10
6. Session RC0710……Las Vegas (same week as GlassBuild**) – 09/13/10

**MRA has no connection with and is not endorsed by GlassBuild, the National Glass Association or any other group or entity participating in GlassBuild.

2010 Pro-Deck Builder Study Announced

                                                                                                                                                                                  Professional Deck Builder Focus Groups will be conducted       around the United States in 2010. Participating Professional  Deck Builders will have more than 50% of their annual sales derived from building and designing decks.

As a manufacturer, Distributor or LBM Dealer selling Decking and related products, don’t miss this cost-effective opportunity to understand how Deck Builders think about their purchases and add value for their customers.

Please contact John Cashmore directly (800-795-3056) if you have any questions relative to these omnibus studies or wish to conduct your own market research into your markets, customers or competition.

2010 Deck Schedule:                                                                                                                                                                                Minneapolis…………February 25                                                                                                  Atlanta……………….March 9                                                                                             Denver………………March 11                                                         Portland……………..March 15                                                                                                                                              Baltimore……………September 16

Atlanta Remodeling Contractor Focus Group

The Atlanta, GA remodeling market has been hit harder than many US markets during the recent downturn. PMC Building Materials, Marietta, GA and Market Resource Associates, Minneapolis, MN teamed up to conduct a focus group among highly active remodeling contractors in the greater Atlanta, GA area.

The 2-hour group was conducted at 5PM on Tuesday, October 20.

Eight (8) general remodeling contractors conducting projects involving kitchen & bath, room additions, decks, and window & door replacements were recruited. ALL will be purchasing decision makers.

The following topics were covered, along with several others:

• How did remodelers take advantage of the stimulus package(s) and was it successful for them? Did they ignore the stimulus programs?

• How did Atlanta remodelers view the immediate and 2 year future in the Atlanta market?

• When remodelers design additions, kitchens, and baths how much did they consider indoor air quality in their designs? What products did they use specifically to enhance in-door air quality in their remodels?

• Which products enhance remodeler’s kitchen and bath designs most – functionally and aesthetically? How?

• Are remodeling contractors unsure, insecure, and wary of certain products being used in their remodels because of off gassing or other perceived “Non-Green” issues?

• What is “Green” about their remodels not used 2 years ago?

• What has changed with the Atlanta deck market in the last 2 years? What is the future?

• How did remodelers wish to receive information? Is social media beginning to play a part in their education? Manufacturer / Dealer e-media direct, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn; the Internet in general.

• What did remodelers want from the dealers for assistance in products and service that they are not getting? What services do they most value they are getting?

• What did remodeling contractors feel they need from the manufacturers of the brands they use they are not getting? What services do they most value they are getting?

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Post-Group Participation is being offered at the following levels with the benefits of each level indicated:

Level 1 Participation: Receive PowerPoint report and DVD copy of focus group. $600

Level 2 Participation: Receive PowerPoint report of the focus group. $300

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For more information via email or telephone:

Matt Brown 800-795-3056
matt.brown@mraonline.com

John Cashmore 800-795-3056
john.cashmore@mraonline.com

Residential Indoor Air Quality Focus Group

Fact: Indoor air quality is making its way to becoming one of the most important aspects of best practice environmentally designed (Green) residential builds. As of January 1, 2010, will it become even more important?

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, John Cashmore of Market Resource Associates, Minneapolis, MN conducted an in-depth focus group with residential architects to understand the following: Read more…

MRA Fielding Topic Ideas for 2010 Focus Group

This winter, MRA will be repeating its focus group in Las Vegas which coinsides in time with the International Builder’s Show. We’re currently looking for a topic for the focus group and we need your help!

Please contact John Cashmore or Matt Brown and let us know what topic would be important to you for us to ask builders and/or architects.

*Note: This focus group is not affiliated with the NAHB, IBS, or Hanley Wood