Get ready for next-level learning! IBS Education* is known for delivering bold, breakthrough ideas — and the 2026 lineup at the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS), Feb 17 – 19, in Orlando, is no exception. Grab your Expo+Education Pass now to unlock 120+ sessions led by the industry’s best minds and discover fresh insights you can use right away.
Shattering the Sales Stereotype
What happens when two sales pros team up to completely rewrite what it means to “sell” in the home building industry? You get Shattering the Sales Stereotype — a must-attend session at the IBS 2026 that’s all about breaking old molds and building a new era of authentic, human-centered selling.
What You’ll Learn
Forget the “always be closing” mindset. Cory Charles and Abbie Mirata are here to prove that today’s top sales performers succeed not through slick talk or relentless hustle, but through connection, trust and authenticity. Walk away with practical tools to identify, train and coach sales talent in ways that align with how buyers buy today — and how the next generation of employees works and thinks.
Their message is simple but bold: This isn’t about fitting into the traditional sales box. It is about breaking it open and creating something better.
Why They Love IBS
For Cory and Abbie, IBS is more than just a show — it’s an energy. “There’s nothing like the real conversations that happen here,” they say. Whether it’s a hallway chat, a spontaneous idea swap or that lightbulb moment during a Q&A, they thrive on the collaboration that fuels the industry’s innovation.
Their Advice for First Timers
“Come curious, stay open and wear comfortable shoes.”
Their tip for making the most of IBS? Don’t just stick to sessions that feel “safe.” Explore outside your comfort zone and leave room for surprises. “The best breakthroughs happen in those unexpected moments,” they say. “And the connections you make here? They’ll last long after the show ends.”
The Best Place to Be at IBS
You’ll find Cory and Abbie wherever people are thinking differently — in breakout sessions challenging the norm or in the corner of Sales Central where someone asks, “What if we tried it this way instead?” Innovation, they say, “lives in the unexpected corners of this show. You have to be willing to look for it.”
Trend to Watch for 2026
Their pick? Getting back to the human. Builders are realizing that technology and tools matter, but people and empathy are what truly drive results. “The redefining of sales talent is here,” they explain. “It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room, but the most emotionally intelligent one.”
Looking Ahead
In the next five years, expect a full shift from process-based selling to people-based experiences. Builders who embrace emotionally intelligent, story-driven and purpose-fueled sales cultures will lead the pack.
The Industry’s Biggest Challenge
Cory and Abbie see a leadership gap in sales strategy. Too many teams still hire based on personality instead of performance. “The challenge isn’t just changing tactics,” they note. “It’s transforming the culture of what sales excellence really means.”
Don’t miss Cory Charles and Abbie Mirata at IBS 2026 as they shatter stereotypes, challenge the status quo and help you rethink what modern sales leadership looks like in their session, Shattering the Sales Stereotype.
Register for the Builders’ Show Expo+Education Pass to attend Cory and Abbie’s session and choose from the other 120+ sessions available.
*IBS Education requires an IBS Expo+Education Pass.