See How We're Committed To Your Success

Members Do Business With Members is the philosophy of the ESBA. Our members believe that they should support those who support the building industry and take an active posture to insure its continued success.

Network with other companies in the building industry to gain new contacts as well as strengthen your current ones. Enhance your business through our meetings as well as our social events. Be Informed about pertinent legislative and regulatory issues on a local, state and national level. Acquire Knowledge concerning the various aspects of the building industry through our educational programs and seminars. Target Your Market through low cost advertising in our publications, mailing labels and membership directory.

Credibility for your company in the building industry as well as with the general public by being associated with the sixth largest building association in the country.

Membership Options

ESBA offers two types of memberships: Builder & Associate

BUILDER MEMBER - A Builder Member is any company that is, or has been, in the business of building or remodeling homes, apartments, schools, commercial, industrial, or other structures normally related to a community, or in land development.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS - An Associate Member is any company that engages in a trade, industry or profession related to the housing or building industry. In other words, any company that does business with builders and/or developers.

Multiple Memberships

Your membership in ESBA includes membership in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Maryland State Builders Association (MSBA).

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS (NAHB) - Part of your membership includes membership in the NAHB, a 157,000 member association headquartered in Washington, D.C. With this membership, you will receive NAHB's Builder Magazine which will give you a national perspective on industry trends. MARYLAND STATE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION (MSBA) - The legislative arm of the local home builders associations in Maryland, the MBA is located in Annapolis where its staff maintains contact with state officials and the General Assembly.

LOCAL REPRESENTATION - ESBA is made up of more than 200 member firms, covering Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne's, Kent and Somerset Counties. Local issues and ordinances are a key part of membership meetings, which occur on a monthly basis to focus on timely and pertinent issues. These meetings provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and enhanced business relationships, offering a social atmosphere plus a business program with a guest speaker. As a member, you have an open invitation to attend any meeting. In addition, a number of special interest committees are available to address specific housing concerns and interests.

Legislative Advocacy

ESBA offers effective legislative lobbying at the local, state and national levels, representing housing industry interests and advocating strong positions on issues which impact you. On your behalf, ESBA fights overly restrictive legislation and regulations which are detrimental to the housing industry. Staff, local and national, are only a phone call away when verification is needed on information about new regulations, laws or industry concerns.

On the local level, the Legislative Committee meets regularly with local officials as advocates for the housing authority.

At the state level, each year during the Maryland General Assembly session, ESBA reviews over 3,000 proposals, monitoring every bill that impacts housing. The Association greatly utilizes its legislative arm in Annapolis, the Maryland State Builders Association. MSBA employs a lobbyist and a full-time staff member to monitor the activities of various state legislative committees and to meet with members of the House of Delegates and the State Senate.

Insurance Benefits

The Eastern Shore Builders Association, Inc. (ESBA) currently offers its members a competitive group health insurance plan, the NAHB Insurance Plan. Independent insurance agency operations are handled by Smith, Cropper Deeley, and ESBA associate member.

ESBA Annual Events & Programs

ESBA offers various programs during the year that provide both business and social forums to increase your industry contacts, such as:

• Showcase Home - This project is undertaken by the Association every year. A project house is constructed by members utilizing the latest innovations in the building industry. It serves to "showcase" member services and products as well as a source of revenue for the Association.
• National Convention - Four days of exhibits, seminars, tours, speakers and more are in store for ESBA members who attend the National Association of Home Builders Convention and Exposition, held every January. Over 60,000 people attend the exposition which features over 16 acres of the newest products and services for the industry.
• Other ESBA Events - General Membership Meetings, President's Ball, Political Forums, Golf Tournament & Awards, Crab Feast, Educational Seminars, Membership Contests.

Educational Opportunities

ESBA pursues a progressive role in furthering the education and skills of its members, contributing to industry professionalism. The Association offers a variety of seminars, courses and video library tapes, specially tailored to suit your business needs.

ESBA's Commitment To The Industry

The ESBA is the leading building industry advocate on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, functioning as an informal resource for the media, community and governmental organizations and the general public, disseminating up-to-date news, current events and trends relating to housing. ESBA represents the legislative interests of the building industry at the local, state and national levels. The Association fights overly restrictive legislative proposals and regulations that are detrimental to our goals of quality construction, well-planned growth and affordable housing to all Marylanders.

ESBA is actively involved in a number of community projects within the areas that it represents.

Public Relations & Information

ESBA represents your industry before the media, serving as your spokesperson and maintaining a positive image of the building industry on your behalf.

ESBA information and marketing exposure are provided for your company by our various publications:

• Building Sights - ESBA's monthly newsletter highlights local, state and national housing issues, current events and legislative information. Building Sights' circulation also offers a direct target market for advertising.
• MSBA Annual Legislative Report - This report is published at the end of the General Assembly Session to keep you informed about key legislation impacting both your business and the building industry.
• Membership Directory - This publication is a guide for ESBA members, offering a categorized listing of ESBA associate members by trade as well as a telephone guide of all members, cross-referenced by the member firm's contact name. This is a great source of advertising and an investment that will last you the entire year.

Code Of Ethics

By completing the application for membership below, you agree with and adhere to ESBA's Code of Ethics. In addition, acceptance into the ESBA automatically grants you membership into the National Association of Home Builders. You also agree to abide by the NAHB Code of Ethics as follows:

Members of the National Association of Home Builders believe and affirm that:

• Home ownership can and should be within reach of every American family.
• American homes should be well designed, well constructed and well located in attractive communities, with educational, recreational, religious and shopping facilities accessible to all.
• American homes should be built under the free American enterprise system.

• Our paramount responsibility is to our customer, our community and our country.
• Honesty is our guiding business policy.
• High standards of health, safety and sanitation shall be built into every home.
• Members shall deal fairly with their respective employees, subcontractors and suppliers.
• As members of a progressive industry, we encourage research to develop new materials, new building techniques, new building equipment and improved methods of home financing, to the end that every home purchaser may get the greatest possible value for every dollar.
• All sound legislative proposals affecting our industry and the people we serve shall have our informed and vigorous support.
• We hold inviolate the free enterprise system and the American Way of Life. We pledge our support to our associates, our local, state and national associations and all related industries concerned with the preservation of legitimate rights and freedoms.

Application For Membership

Eastern Shore Builders Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit association which provides a medium for an exchange of ideas pertaining to the building industry through governmental relations, educational opportunities and public relations. The ESBA membership consists of home and apartment builders, commercial and industrial builders, developers, remodelers, material suppliers, subcontractors, lending institutions, manufacturers, public utilities, realtors, architects and other building-related businesses across the Eastern Shore of Maryland including Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Kent, Queen Anne's and Caroline Counties.