If you thought trade shows were just about shiny products and networking, then the 2026 International Builders’ Show® (IBS), Feb 17 – 19, is taking things to another level. The industry’s biggest gathering is doubling down on technology, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in the residential construction space.
Here are three big themes to expect at the Builders’ Show:
- AI for builders, remodelers and project teams. The new AI & Tech Studio brings hands-on, test-drive sessions in AI, CRMs, BIM/3D modelling, virtual tours and more.
- Zones on the show floor focused on tech innovation. From the New Product Zone (NPZ), where new products debut and the Start-Up Zone for emerging companies, to the Home Technology Zone for smart-home solutions, tech is front and center.
- AI and tech education re-imagined. The foundation of IBS Education program, the Building Knowledge Sessions have AI and tech-focused sessions and are now complemented by the AI & Tech Studio format for more interactive, practical learning.
For anyone in residential construction (builders, remodelers, subcontractors, designers) who wants to stay competitive, this Builders’ Show is the place to get inspired about technology and leave with real tools to use in your builds and remodels.
Spotlight: AI & Tech Studio
Here’s a deep dive into the AI & Tech Studio — what it is, why it’s important and some session highlights you’ll want to pay attention to.
What is the AI & Tech Studio
The AI & Tech Studio is a new IBS Education format. Sessions are designed not just to talk about tech, but to let attendees use it, compare tools, see builders’ case-studies and test-drive new workflows. The format emphasizes real-world application. No hype and grounded in what builders/remodelers are actually using.
Topics cover: AI in marketing/sales/design/project-management; CRMs, estimating software, BIM/3D modelling, virtual tours and more.
Why it matters
- Technology is no longer optional. Whether in estimating, virtual tours, CRM workflows or jobsite visibility, smart tech is a differentiator for your company.
- For smaller firms, especially, seeing how other firms use the tech helps avoid “buy-it-and-never-use-it” traps.
- It supports not just design/build, but the business process side — marketing, sales, documentation, workflow.
- You’ll leave with at least one or two actionable ideas you can apply right away.
Sample Sessions
Here are some sessions you might want to check out:
- Frustrated by Your Tech? How Collaboration Can Deliver Tools That Truly Work. Builders and tech innovators talk real-world workflows, feedback loops and adapting tools for the field.
- Lead-Converting AI: 2x Appointments & Record Sales for Southern Homes, where AI is illustrated in marketing/sales.
- Smarter Jobsites: How Builders Are Using AI & Tech to Boost Visibility & Performance, which focuses on jobsite/operations applications.
View the complete AI & Tech Studio schedule.
How You Can Prepare
- Block time in your schedule for these sessions (They may fill up.).
- Bring a list of your current tech stack and pain-points (e.g., “Estimating takes too long.” “CRM is lacking.” “We need better virtual tour tools.”).
- Be ready to ask: “What tool did you try? What was ROI? How did you implement it?”
- After the show, pick one tech tool you learned about and test it in your business.
Building Knowledge Sessions
While the spotlight shines on the AI & Tech Studio for tech, the Building Knowledge Sessions remain the foundation of IBS Education. These 60-minute sessions cover nine topic tracks:
- Architecture & Design
- Building Techniques & Strategies
- Business Management
- Land Development & Community Design
- Project Management
- Research & Trends
- Sales & Marketing
- Custom Building & Remodeling
- Multifamily Housing
Why they still matter
These sessions mix tech-forward sessions with “business-process” sessions to build a holistic plan for your company.
Sample Sessions to Consider
- AI is Your MVP: Train & Coach Your Team to Win
- Re-Designing Design: Practical Ways AI Enhances the Process
- AI in Action: How Builders Are Using AI to Boost Efficiency & Client Satisfaction
View the complete schedule of Building Knowledge Sessions.
Tips for leveraging these sessions
- Take notes not just on ideas, but on who is doing it, how and what the results are.
- After the show, schedule a “what-we-learned” meeting with your team to plan next steps.
Zones: Where the Innovation Happens
Let’s walk through three key zones at IBS 2026 where you’ll find tech — live, in action, from exhibits, demos and startups.
1. New Product Zone
The New Product Zone is a must-see area. It’s been rated “most valuable” and “most visited” by attendees. It features products introduced to the marketplace between February 28, 2025 and February 19, 2026 (so truly new).
What to do:
- Walk through early (first day) when you’re fresh.
- Identify 1 – 2 new products you could bring into your business (or talk about with clients).
- Take a photo/snippet, then follow up with the vendor after the show.
2. Start-Up Zone
This zone offers a peek into emerging solutions with products/services expected to shake up the residential-construction space.
What to do:
- Focus on “what could be” in 3 – 5 years — early-stage tech.
- Think partnerships (e.g., subcontracting, piloting for your business).
- Use this as inspiration: What disruptive tech could you start tracking now?
3. Home Technology Zone
This zone centers around the “smart home” side of your builds and remodels: Automation, connected kitchens/baths, whole-home systems, energy efficiency.
What to do:
- Walk the zone as if you were your client. What features excite you?
- Note design/installation considerations.
- Collect case studies: How are real builders talking to customers about tech upgrades and how are they using them in their builds and remodels?
AI in Residential Construction Book Launch at the IBS Store
AI is reshaping residential construction, so master it for your business. AI for Residential Construction: A Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Success — available at the IBS Store — shows builders and remodelers exactly how to use AI to speed up projects, prevent costly miscommunications, win more bids with sharper visuals, boost profit margins and more. This book delivers the practical, no-coding-required guidance you need to stay competitive, adaptable and profitable. Visit the IBS Store during IBS 2026 for this new release and more residential construction books you’ll want on your shelf.
Putting It All Together: A Tech-Focused Strategy for Your Business
Here’s how you, as a builder/remodeler/industry pro, can translate IBS 2026 tech-momentum into a strategy:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Pre-Show | Reflect on your current tech stack: What’s working, what’s not. Make a shortlist of tech pain points. |
| During Show | Balance your schedule: One tech-forward session (AI & Tech Studio or Building Knowledge Session with an AI or tech focus) and time for at least two show-floor zones (New Product Zone, Home Technology Zone, Start-Up Zone). Take photos, gather vendor info and ask targeted questions. |
| Post-Show | Review your notes within the first week. Pick one new tech or workflow idea to test in your business. Set a measurable goal (for example, reduce estimating time by 20% in Q2). |
| Share | Use what you learn to create a story: “We visited IBS and found this new tech that will streamline our process/excite our clients/improve our margin.” |
| Stay Connected | The vendors/exhibitors you meet now can be early adopters or partners later. Stay in touch. |
If you’re heading to IBS 2026, make tech a priority. The show is not only about materials and finishes, it’s about how you build smarter, operate better and deliver more value to customers. With the AI & Tech Studio, Building Knowledge Sessions and dedicated zones like the Home Technology Zone, Start-Up Zone and New Product Zone, the tools are at the Builders’ Show. The question is: How will you use them to differentiate your business?
Register for an Expo+Education Pass to attend AI & Tech Studio and other tech and AI-focused IBS Education sessions. It also gives you access to the 1,700+ exhibitors and specialty zones with the hottest new tech products on the market.