2026 Trends in Housing Conference

About this event

Discover what’s next in Wisconsin homebuilding at the Wisconsin Trends in Housing Conference—an essential event for builders, developers, realtors, tradespeople, lenders, local officials, and housing advocates across the state. This forward-looking conference brings together industry leaders, economists, policymakers, and innovators to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping Wisconsin’s housing market today and in the years to come. From shifting demographics and affordability issues to policy, design, project management, economic impacts, development, and legal pitfalls in home building, we’ll cover the most critical factors driving housing demand and delivery statewide.

Sessions marked with * have been approved for one DCQ CE each. Those with * are pending DSPS approval.

8:30AM - 9:00AM Registration/Booth Visits

9:00AM - 9:15AM Welcome

9:15AM - 10:15AM * Urban Planning & Development Kurt Paulsen, Professor of Urban Planning; Dept. of Planning & Landscape Architecture - UW Madison

10:15AM - 10:30AM Break/Booth Visits

10:30AM - 11:30AM * Building Workforce Housing that Works: The Point Gardens Model Diane Kaschinske, Poynette Village President Randy Alexander, TorqueCompanies

11:30AM - 12:30PM Lunch Featuring NAHB Presentation

12:30PM - 1:30PM Breakout Sessions

• * AI Tools for Builders & Contractors - Solving Estimating, Office, and Field Bottlenecks Lori Highby; KeystoneClick

• * Zero Energy Ready Homes - Building Science for High-Performance Construction Tim O'Brien; Tim O'Brien Homes

1:30PM-1:45PM Break/Booth Visits

1:45PM - 2:45PM * Breaking Down the Law – Evolving Legal Landscape Impacting Homebuilding and Development Robert Procter, Axley Attorneys Rebecca Roeker, Attolles Law Brad Boycks, WBA

2:45PM-3:00PM Break/Booth Visits

3:00PM-4:00PM * Industry Performance & Market Benchmarks Heading into 2027 Erika Mosse; JobTread

4:00PM - 4:15PM Closing Remarks