IBS Education is a popular focal point each year at the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS). The 2026 IBS Education* sessions, Feb 17 – 19, at our final Orlando Builders’ Show will not disappoint. If you haven’t already, register for an Expo+Education Pass to experience IBS and IBS Education. The 120+ IBS Education sessions are your chance to learn from the top industry experts and experts in their field on topics that interest you.
Meet IBS Education Speaker Gene Myers
Gene Myers has been redefining what it means to build homes that are innovative and sustainable for 30+ years. As the founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of Thrive Home Builders, Gene has built his career and his company around one core belief: That home building can (and should) make a meaningful impact on people and the planet.
Thrive Home Builders is widely recognized for its leadership in green and healthy home innovation, with more than a dozen U.S. Department of Energy Housing Innovation Awards and multiple EPA Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards. Through Gene’s vision, Thrive has become a national model for combining energy efficiency, superior indoor air quality and carbon reduction in production homes. Their Thrive Carbon-Wise™ approach, focused on reducing both operational and embodied carbon, uses all-electric systems, solar power and low-impact materials to help homes perform better and last longer.
Gene’s IBS Education Session: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Builders
In his session, Gene will share lessons learned from his 33-year journey running a home building company, offering a candid look at what it takes to lead effectively in today’s industry. Attendees can expect practical insights on how to build stronger businesses and better teams, grounded in real-world experience.
His top three habits?
- Don’t go it alone. Collaboration is the foundation of success.
- Be true to your brand. Authenticity and purpose set you apart.
- Learn to fail forward. Mistakes are inevitable. What matters is how you grow from them.
“This session is about sharing what worked, what didn’t and what I wish I’d learned sooner,” Gene says. “I hope that builders walk away with actionable habits they can put into practice immediately.”
What Gene’s Looking Forward to @IBS 2026
For Gene, the highlight of the Builders’ Show is reconnecting with friends and peers from across the country. “IBS is a chance to catch up, share ideas and see how others are innovating,” he says. “That sense of community is what makes this event so special.”
Gene’s Advice for First-Time Attendees
“It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the scale of IBS,” Gene admits. His advice: Set priorities before you go.
“Wandering the show floor is fun and interesting, but can consume your trip,” he says. “Decide what you want to accomplish and make time to network with your peers.”
Where You’ll Find Gene
Gene enjoys spending time in the Construction Performance Zone and the Production Builder Executive Club. Two areas that bring together innovation, education and collaboration in one space.
Gene’s Industry Insights
When it comes to trends shaping the future, Gene is particularly excited about offsite panalization, which he believes holds more promise than modular or 3D printing for the near term.
Looking ahead, he predicts the next five years will see a shift toward more offsite construction, especially as the industry grapples with ongoing labor shortages. “When the housing market strengthens, the shortage of skilled field labor will become even more evident,” he explains. “Building with more prefabricated components may be the best way to address that.”
The biggest challenge right now? High mortgage rates and housing affordability. “We need lower rates to help more people achieve homeownership,” Gene notes. “And beyond that, we must find ways to build with less skilled labor.”
A Builder Who Builds Differently
Gene’s leadership philosophy centers on purpose-driven innovation and his message to builders is clear: Differentiation is your greatest strength.
“The riskiest thing you can do,” he says, “is to be just like everybody else.”
Join Gene Myers at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) to learn how the habits of highly effective builders can transform your business and help shape the future of home building. Register for the Builders’ Show Expo+Education Pass to attend Gene’s session and choose from the other 120+ sessions available.
*IBS Education requires an IBS Expo+Education Pass.