The Builder 100 event continues to serve as a pulse check on where the home building industry stands—and where it’s headed next. This year’s summit just concluded at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California, capping three days of insight, strategy, and connection among the industry’s top builders.
For 2026, the conference brought together 550 industry leaders across 25 sessions featuring 47 speakers, from Zonda’s top advisors to representation across the Builder 100 and Next 100 lists to industry partners and sponsors and more.
Key takeaways from Builder 100
- Economic headwinds
Starting out strong, Zonda and NewHomeSource chief economist Ali Wolf discussed the impact of geopolitical conflicts, stock market volatility, and oil price changes on consumer confidence and housing market trends. Although the headlines seem heavy today, one of her tips is to follow population patterns, demographics, affordability, and job growth. Understanding the nuances of population growth will help with identifying the markets most poised for success. - Culture over strategy
The CEO panel, including Ken Balogh of Ashton Woods, Jay Brown of David Weekley, Allan Merrill of Beazer Homes, and Phillippe Lord of Meritage Homes, emphasized that company culture outweighs strategy and that investing in people is essential in the business amid AI disruption. - Consumer confidence reshape
Merrill—the 2026 Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award recipient—also had another interesting point on the CEO panel. We often talk about consumer confidence in broad terms, but it needs to be unpacked. “Income confidence” is largely driven by macro factors like the economy and labor market, and is outside builders’ control. On the other hand, “asset confidence” is something builders can influence by helping buyers better understand the long-term value of homeownership, especially new homes.
Read the full article from BUILDER magazine to see the full list of key takeaways.
Ali Wolf sits down with Taylor Morrison CEO, Sheryl Palmer, to discuss demographics, demand, and the new consumer. 
The Dana Point view from the Ritz Carlton. 
Jessica Lantz of the National Association of REALTORS shares data about what home buyers want right now. 
Linda Mamet, EVP and CMO of Tri Pointe Homes. 
Todd Tomalak leads a supplier leadership conversation with Mitch Hires, CEO of Construction Resources, and Jon Kelly, President and GM of James Hardie North America. 
Todd Tomalak, Zonda’s Principal of Building Products Advisory. 
Land, capital, and control: how builders are navigating the next cycle. 
Karyn Bonder, SVP at Zonda, moderates a panel with the Fischer Homes team as they discuss the creation of the 2026 Virtual Concept Home by NewHomeSource. 
Karyn Bonder, SVP at Zonda, moderates a panel with the Fischer Homes team as they discuss the creation of the 2026 Virtual Concept Home by NewHomeSource. 
Sekisui House U.S. won the 2026 Builder of the Year award. 
Taylor Morrison CEO, Sheryl Palmer, speaking during a special women’s luncheon at Builder 100. 
Beazer Homes was presented with the 2026 Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian award. 
Jeff Shore, Founder and President of Shore Consulting. 
Tim Sullivan moderates a CEO panel. 
Natasha Gandhi, CEO of View Homes. 
CEOs Ken Balogh (Ashton Woods Homes), Jay Brown (David Weekley Homes) and Phillippe Lord (Meritage Homes) share their perspectives on what is next for the new home industry. 
Ali Wolf, Zonda’s Chief Economist, presents a housing market update. 
Ali Wolf, Zonda’s Chief Economist, presents the national outlook to kick off the Builder 100 event. 
Tim Sullivan, Zonda’s Chief Advisory Officer, host and emcee of the Builder 100 Leadership Summit.
