Ever wondered how a session at the NAHB International Builders’ Show^® (IBS) makes it to the official education lineup? With 100+ sessions offered each year across various tracks, each proposal undergoes a competitive and collaborative selection process to ensure the content is timely, relevant and impactful for residential construction professionals.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a 2026 IBS Education proposal became an IBS Education session.

Step 1: The Call for Proposals

It all starts with the Request for Proposals (RFP). Each year, industry professionals, thought leaders, educators and practitioners are invited to submit session ideas, complete with proposed titles, speaker bios, learning outcomes and a description of what makes their topic unique and valuable to attendees. This is the first step toward sharing their knowledge on one of the industry’s most respected stages.

Step 2: Attendee Review

New for this year, the process included a fresh layer of insight — feedback from past IBS Education attendees. These individuals reviewed and scored submitted proposals, offering real-world perspectives on what content resonates most and delivers value in a live session format. Their input helps ensure selected sessions reflect what IBS attendees truly want to learn.

Step 3: Stakeholder Reviews from NAHB Councils & Committees

Next, proposals go to various NAHB stakeholder groups, including the:

• National Sales and Marketing Council
• Business Management and Information Technology Committee
• Design Committee

These experts review proposals that align with their areas of focus, offering scores and thoughtful feedback. Their involvement ensures a wide range of industry perspectives are considered and that sessions cover real challenges and trends in the field.

Step 4: Subcommittee Review & Final Selection

Every single proposal also undergoes review by members of the Convention Education Subcommittee, a group of residential construction professionals from across the country. After weeks of review, scoring and feedback collection, the process culminates in the Convention Education Selection Meeting.

This in-person meeting is where the 15-member subcommittee discusses each proposal in depth. Armed with scores and feedback from attendees, stakeholders and their evaluations, they thoughtfully debate which proposals rise to the top. The result? A diverse and high-impact IBS Education lineup chosen by and for industry professionals.

Whether you’re attending IBS for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, you can be confident that each IBS Education session is the result of a thorough, thoughtful and inclusive process designed to bring you the best the industry has to offer.

To attend IBS Education sessions during the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Feb 17 – 19, you must have an Expo+Education registration. Mark your calendar. Registration opens Sept 2!

Sign up to be notified when registration opens and stay up to date on the Builders’ Show.