The highly anticipated 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show^® (IBS) is Feb 25 – 27. Many exciting pre-show learning opportunities take place Feb 23 – 24—the two days leading up to the official kickoff of the Builders’ Show.

NAHB Courses

Sixteen pre-show courses will be held at the Encore Hotel before the start of IBS 2025. These NAHB Courses, offered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), gives participants the chance to increase their skill sets by digging deeper into industry topics, all while earning NAHB CEUs, and in some cases continuing education for AIA and AIBD. NAHB Courses are extremely interactive so attendee collaboration, participation and sharing experiences play a crucial role in retaining the knowledge learned.

Here is an overview of the courses planned.

Estimating: The First Line of Defense for Profits

This revised (2022) half-day course focuses specifically on estimating. The ability to effectively prepare for a project is vital to your success. Project preparation consists of multiple processes that work together and, when performed effectively, increase your efficiency and profitability, improve client satisfaction and enhance team and vendor relationships. Gain the knowledge and skills to perform the critical process of estimating costs in project preparation.

The Project Schedule as a Planning and Communication Tool

The ability to effectively prepare for a project is vital to the success of any business. Project preparation consists of multiple processes that work together and, when performed effectively, enable you to increase your efficiency, achieve greater client satisfaction, enhance team and vendor relationships, and protect profitability. This course provides you with the knowledge base and skills to perform the critical process in project preparation—creating the schedule to complete the project. 

How to Craft a Winning Digital Marketing Strategy

A strong marketing foundation is the basis of a successful marketing program, much like a well-built foundation ensures a home stands the test of time. Designed for home builders, this course focuses on building a strong marketing foundation—your website, branding and content – and how to use marketing strategy and tactics to engage potential home buyers and turn them into leads. Learn how public relations, social media, video, design, email marketing, photography and graphic design capture and engage today’s consumers. Additional advice on crafting an effective marketing budget is also covered. 

Financial Management

Improve your understanding of financial reports and learn ways to use analytical tools that increase profit potential and add important data to your decision-making. This course for building professionals explores many tools to take your company’s financial temperature and other vital signs and choose corrective measures to assure continued business health. Learn how to start with business plans, budgets and goals, informed by your local business potential and choose the most profitable paths to move forward. Learn about specific financial tools, including ratio analysis tips, pricing formulas, labor burden calculators and slippage calculators to help you make money on all projects. Discover the value and use of pro forma analysis to predict profits and cash flows. 

Job Costing: The Road Map Continues

This three-hour course focuses on job costing in residential construction. Job costing involves tracking and analyzing the costs associated with each element in a specific project. It plays an important role in residential home building and remodeling because it provides builders with accurate information about the costs associated with each project. By understanding the main components and job cost types, builders can accurately track and analyze the costs associated with each project. Learn how to use this information to make informed decisions about pricing, resource allocation and profitability. 

Whether you’re a young professional looking to make your mark, a seasoned builder seeking to enhance your expertise or an industry enthusiast eager to explore the industry’s future, these pre-show NAHB Courses deliver an exceptional experience. Book your arrival in Vegas a few days earlier to attend these pre-show events! 

Registration for IBS 2025 opens Sept 3. Add your ticket to these pre-show NAHB Courses when you register for the Builders’ Show. View the full schedule of NAHB Courses for more information.