Each year our Housing Market Intelligence conference provides the industry with a thorough update on what is going on in terms of government policy, planning, economics and finance. Given where we stand today, this year’s event perhaps should have been a two day affair – there is going to be so much to discuss.<br> <br> I am hoping that the atmosphere will be a little better than HMI 08 and HMI 09. They were so dire in their messages that I started to consider having the conference sponsored by The Samaritans such was the prevailing mood of despair. <br> <br> Despite the multitude of problems facing the economy and the housebuilding industry, I genuinely think the mood will indeed be better this year. Better because the attitude is, or should be, it is time to get on with the business of building new homes, whatever the challenges. It is time to launch the “can do” era. Although delegates are going to hear a good deal of worrying information, the interpretation should now be “how am I going to deal with this and grow my business?” rather than “shall I bother turning up for work next week?” <br> <br> I can …