Napa, Calif.—Bridgeway Interactive’s seventh annual National Conference at the Silverado Resort & Spa here, was designed to show members how the company is equipped to help them grow during these challenging times.

There was also a strong focus to better its various business channels with new ideas and relationships, said Jay Flynn, vice president of sales and marketing. “Interaction with the three key channels in our business segment—builders, contractors and manufacturers—is always a primary benefit of our member conferences.”

He added, “This interaction created an opportunity for members from each of the channels to learn from each other, to develop creative solutions to issues they face in the market and to learn about the products Bridgeway has developed to support their businesses.”

Entering 2008 with the motto, “Help us help you,” Michael Vogel, Bridgeway’s president and founder said, “We started seven years ago as a client-driven company and have never lost that focus.” He continued, stating the company has facilitated a unique interaction between builders, contractors and manufacturers, creating a positive atmosphere in a clearly challenged market. “It was exciting to see our group of industry leaders continuing to grow in this difficult market. I see this growth as a result of our focus on developing solutions for our clients and creating an atmosphere that nurtures creative thought.”

With conference attendance up 25% from last year, Flynn said the meeting touched on issues important to the members, including a panel discussion focused on creating true partnerships in the supply chain, presentations by McStain Neighborhoods, Shaw Industries and Hunter Douglas on building and manufacturing green, and new technology product offerings.

John Laing Homes—Orange County, Taylor Woodrow and Fulton Homes—showcased how they are integrating multiple technologies to improve their homebuyer’s experience. Dennis Webb, vice president of operations for Fulton Homes, demonstrated the company’s homebuyer portal made up of Bridgeway’s Design Center Solutions and Builder Process Solutions, Envision options management program and Fulton’s interactive floor plans. Design Center Solutions is a five-part customized series of tools that educate and set buyer expectations for the company’s Options Selection Process, while Builder Process Solutions is a five-part video series to educate and set buyer expectations for the home buying experience, stages of construction, how your home works, home orientation and closing process and warranty maintenance.

Bridgeway also used the conference to introduce a new platform for its online training business, Trainingspace, which offers greater customization, additional training content and increased functionality. And, for the near future, Trainingspace will release manufacturer-specific online training for Shaw Home Foundations and Hunter Douglas.

Also introduced was Creating Your Space’s latest tools: an enhanced product catalog, a “Design Your Room” visualization tool and “Room Maker,” which allows consumers to create a room, calculate the amount of desired flooring and create a furniture design plan. Creating Your Space is Bridgeway’s sister company, and offers retail Web development for flooring and kitchen and bath dealers.

For more information, contact Jay Flynn at 415.275.9022.