Here's what you get:

• Field Notes
• Nuts & Bolts
• Highlights
• Workshops & Gatherings
• What We're Up To
• Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry.

Let's dive in.

From the growing demand for smart electrical panels to the rising "must-have" status of EV chargers, the data shows that buyers aren't looking for gadgets—they’re looking for tangible ROI, lower bills, and long-term resilience.

The secret sauce in 2026 isn't just installing the tech; it's how you frame the "why."

Source: BUILDER

These shifts in federal housing policy will directly impact inventory, project financing, and the future of the American neighborhood. The neutral facts are broken down on how this legislation targets single-family homes and what the industry is saying about potential supply shortages.

Source: Lathem & Watkins, LLP

With a new conflict in the Middle East roiling energy markets and inflation remaining stubbornly above target, the Federal Reserve has made its high-stakes decision for March 2026.

This update is essential reading for anyone tracking the intersection of global politics and U.S. monetary policy.

Source: Associated Press

In this week’s featured article from Business of Home, business coach Sean Low dives into the "conundrum of the artist." Low explores whether staying silent on social media is a marketing strategy or a moral compromise.

Source: Business of Home

Interior designers warn of sophisticated client scams after $25,000 fraud attempt.

Read the full breakdown of this recent fraud attempt and learn the specific red flags identified by industry veterans to keep your firm safe.

Source: Designers Today

Even a functional safety requirement can be a high-fashion statement.

Don't view site protection or temporary barriers as "lost" space. High-visibility renovations are a prime opportunity to market your aesthetic and professionalism.

Source: Fast Company

Whether you’re dealing with the pitfalls of plastic caps or the "random spike" method, this guide offers a bulletproof, four-step system—from ice-barrier membranes to copper flashing—that has been proven to last for decades in even the harshest coastal environments.

Source: JLC

Daniel Cruz. Design Coop (TX), Professional Member

Amzie O. Lehman, Lehman Construction, LLC (IN), Professional Member

David J. Green, Beard Drafting & Design (TX), Professional Member

This week's movers and shakers:

Thank you! Steve Beard (TX) for recruiting a Professional member. You're only 1 point from becoming a Bronze Member! 🎉🥳

Bradley Kline, CPBD #39-129, Selinsgrove, PA (3/20)

Certification demonstrates a professional's mastery of industry-specific experience and knowledge.

April 1 - Board of Directors (Virtual) 4:00 pm ET - Connect with your board members and share your insights.

April 3 - STILL NEW! AIBD Office Hour - 11:00 am ET - 60 minutes (or so) of open discussion and collaboration (Members Only)

April 15 - Eastern Shore Chapter - 3:30 pm ET

April 25 - AIBD Connect - DC - National Building Museum, Washington, DC

May 1 - AIBD Connect - Colorado - Castle Rock, CO.

July 29 - AIBD Compass Club Party - 7:00 pm ET - Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

July 30 - AIBD Annual Membership Meeting - Metropolitan at the 9, Cleveland, OH

March 24 - Going from the field to the desk - 2:00 pm ET - A roundtable discussion

March 31 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET - SketchUp 2026 New Features and Tutorials (1.0 P3 CE)

April 10 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Blending Indoor & Outdoor Spaces for Lifestyle and Climate (1.0 P3 CE)

April 20 - ​High-Performance Homes Team​ - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE) - The discussion on steel framing continues.

AEC Daily - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

AIBD Annual Conference - July 29-August 1, 2026 - The website is live​

AirVent Attic Ventilation: Ask the Expert™ Seminar Schedule - In-person events - Schedule & Registration​

CEDIA Expo 2026 - September 1-4, 2026 - Denver, CO - Registration opens soon!​

Chief Architect - April 3, 2026 - Kitchen & Bath Boot Camp​

Green Home Institute - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

SoftPlan - March 24 – 27: 3D​​

Traditional Building Conference - March 24-25, 2026 - Salem, MA - Registration Is Still Open​

AIBD Legislative Committee chairman Jack Butler has been alerted to the California bill AB-1976, Licensed Commercial Interior Designer Practice Act.

In his opinion, it's an unnecessary regulation of a field that has no public safety issues to justify additional state oversight. We view this as the first domino that could lead to other needless regulations of the building design process.