2026 Annual Builder and Developer Luncheon

RSVP today! The Builder and Developer Luncheon is a premier gathering for professionals across central Iowa’s real estate, development, and construction industries. This year’s keynote will be delivered by Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, Assistant Vice President for Forecasting and Analysis at the National Association of Home Builders, who will present a national homebuilding forecast. In addition, Kalen Ludwig will share her annual in-depth review of Des Moines metro housing statistics.

New this year is a post-luncheon social hour hosted at the Middlebrook Mercantile! Stop by afterward to network and explore the developing Middlebrook Agrihood.

NATIONAL ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE HOUSING MARKET
DANUSHKA NANAYAKKARA-SKILLINGTON

• National Association of Homebuilders, Assistant Vice President for Forecasting and Analysis

Danushka leads the Forecasting & Analysis section within NAHB’s Economics group, overseeing areas such as housing market analysis, industry surveys, and the development and maintenance of national, regional, and long-term forecasts, including remodeling expenditures. Danushka serves as a member of the Joint Advisory Board of Economists for the Commonwealth of Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Otterbein University and a master’s degree in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University.

LOCAL HOUSING TRENDS, NEW CONSTRUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT INSIGHTS
KALEN LUDWIG

• Realtor® Peoples Company
• Director Sales and Marketing Diligent Development
• Partner Ground Breaker Homes

Join Kalen Ludwig as she shares the latest local housing statistics, including trends in new construction, building permits, and land development in the Des Moines Metro. With two decades of experience in real estate and a focus on keeping the market informed through her quarterly updates and blog, Kalen provides insights into the ever-changing landscape of housing and development. This talk will equip builders and developers with actionable data and a clear understanding of current market opportunities and challenges.

The Middlebrook Mercantile is located at 4125 Cumming Ave, Cumming, IA.