We're just over three weeks out from our Women in Residential Construction Conference (Sept. 24 to 26), and we’re having fun planning our free time in Austin. Consider this your mini travel guide.

Our WIRC Conference hotel is perfectly sited by the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail, a 10-mile path along Lady Bird Lake with city skyline views.

Austin’s food scene is amazing, and we’re planning stops in at the legendary Terry Black’s BBQ and El Alma for modern Mexican flavors in a funky multi-level space. 

Somewhere in the mix, we’re making an ice cream run at Amy’s and checking out the Tecovas flagship store for boots or a pearl-snap denim shirt. Oh, and you can bet, come sunset, we’ll be joining the crowds watching North America’s largest bat colony emerge (hundreds of thousands of them) from underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. See you there?

-Pauline Hammerbeck, editor of Custom Builder, for the Women in Residential Construction Conference editorial team

(p.s., I’m told our WIRC Conference hotel block expires Sept. 9. Register and book your room now →)

With more than 10 years of experience in sales and marketing for the new-home industry, Genevieve Benson, director of strategic partnerships at real estate marketing agency Milesbrand, is bringing her expertise to the WIRC Conference next month. Benson’s work is rooted in innovation and growth, customizing marketing strategies and enhancing brand presence for many of the country’s most sought-after residential communities.

At WIRC, Benson will share her insights on the power of storytelling, offering guidance on how crafting a compelling narrative can make a housing community stand out.

This Thursday morning breakout session focuses on how AI technology can help remodelers boost their marketing efforts, improve their customer service programs, and streamline their business operations. Attendees will hear from three remodeling and home improvement professionals who will share tips on how best to incorporate new tools into old processes.

The expert panelists are Ashley Sheaffer, principal at KBF Design Gallery, Mary Peters, CEO of Sasquatch Contracting, and Chrystine Twigg, VP of engineering and digital product at West Shore Home.