The 5 Helpful Things to Know About IBS

The NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) is the largest annual light construction show in the world. Every year, this event brings together nearly 60,000 builders, general contractors, remodelers, designer and more from around the world.

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Registration for IBS 2017 opens August 1, and we want you to be ready! With so much information available about the show, both new and seasoned attendees alike can find it difficult to determine what basic items you should know. This is why we came up with a list of the top 5 Builders’ Show basics.

#1: IBS is part of Design & Construction Week®
In 2014, two powerhouse associations came together to give building professionals two tradeshows in one trip through Design & Construction Week® (DCW). DCW features the co-location of the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Registered IBS attendees have access to all DCW exhibit hall floors.

#2: 3 Different Types of Registration
There are three types of registration for IBS: Full Registration, 1-Day Education and Expo-Only. With Full Registration, you receive access to the show floors and entrance to more than 100 IBS education sessions. Additionally, after the show you’ll receive a complimentary one-year subscription to IBS Education On Demand.1  

The 1-Day Education includes access to the show floors for the duration of the Show and unlimited admittance to one (1) day of IBS education sessions.2 

There is also an Expo-Only Pass that allows you access to all the exhibit floors of Design & Construction Week. This does not include access to any of the education sessions or the Education On Demand, although you can purchase single Education On Demand sessions after the fact, if you’d like.

#3: Early Registration = Biggest Discounts
IBS will be held on January 10 – 12, 2017 in Orlando, Florida, so you may think that you have plenty of time to plan your trip, and technically, you do. However, although you may register up until the show begins, the best deals on registration happen during the month of August.

For example, when registration opens on August 1, the Full Registration package is priced at $275 per person. It will increase to $375 on September 1. And if you wait to register when you get on-site, the price is $525.

Pricing varies depending on whether or not you are an NAHB member, student/faculty, spouse or first-time attendee and the date you register. Also, if this is your first time attending the show as an NAHB member, you can register for only $150. That’s a deal to take advantage of! Sign up to be notified when registration begins so that you don’t miss these discounts!

#4: Exhibits: What to Expect
IBS brings together more than 1,400 industry manufacturers and suppliers from around the globe to showcase the newest and most innovative products, materials and technologies involved in all types of buildings—including wood, concrete, stone and brick. You can expect to see the most in-demand products and services as you explore more than 500,000 net square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibition space in IBS alone.  Altogether the two DCW shows will feature 900 square feet of exhibits.

As you walk the show floor, you’ll also notice that the exhibitors will have plenty of staff on hand to answer your questions. They are very eager to talk with you to determine which of their products will meet your specific needs. Many of the exhibitors also host live demonstrations or events inside their booths. A listing of events will be available on the BuildersShow.com website (and on the app) so you can plan your show experience accordingly.

Finally, because the show floors are huge, plan to walk a lot! Your feet can easily rack up the miles without you even realizing it, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. You can always change into a dressier pair later on, for your night on the town!

#5: The IBS Education Basics
In addition to the must-see products and exhibits, IBS also offers the most up-to-date and innovative education the industry has to offer. There are over 100 IBS Education sessions available during the show taught by renowned building industry experts from across the country. With topics ranging from sales and marketing to construction and codes, there is certainly something for everyone.

You can also go in-depth with pre-show courses that can count toward an NAHB industry designation, or go hands-on with demos and education on the show floor. You won’t find a more impressive collection of knowledge and new ideas for improving your business anywhere else.

Continue to follow our blog for more installments of this first-time attendee series. You can also discover why All Homes Start Here—at BuilderShow.com.

Series Note: Over the next several months, we’ll be giving you bite-sized tidbits about the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS). This is the first article in this series.

  1. Student, spouse and exhibitor registrants are excluded.
  2. You must indicate which day of education you would like to attend.

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