Government affairs often are not.
That simple difference can create a misleading impression of what a building-industry association actually does.
DVBA hosts networking opportunities, educational programs, meetings and major events because relationships matter. Members benefit when builders, trades, suppliers, professional services, public officials and other industry participants have opportunities to know one another.
But those activities exist alongside a much broader mission.
DVBA’s published membership currently includes builders, engineers, banking organizations, utilities, subcontractors, legal services, consultants, architects, title companies, insurance professionals and many other industries connected to construction and development.
Representing that ecosystem requires work on issues that may never appear in an event photograph.
Government affairs is one example.
Development-fee analysis is another.
Legislative monitoring is another.
Communication with municipalities, agencies and utilities is another.
NAHB’s recognition of DVBA’s Legislative Forum illustrates this role particularly well. The program brings public agencies and industry stakeholders together on a recurring basis to exchange information about current issues, including fee studies and legislative activity.
NAHB has also recognized DVBA’s comprehensive fee-study reporting as a best-in-class member service among similarly sized home-builder associations.
These are not social activities.
They are substantive industry functions.
That does not diminish networking. It explains why networking is more valuable when it occurs inside an organization doing meaningful work on behalf of the industry.
A member is not simply buying a seat at a luncheon.
Membership supports an infrastructure of advocacy, information, relationships and regional representation that operates throughout the year.
Events are where much of the community sees DVBA.
The work between those events is where much of DVBA’s value is created.