The 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) Education lineup rolls into Orlando Feb 17 – 19. More than 120 sessions await, each designed to sharpen skills, solve bottlenecks and fuel the future of home building. At the heart of it all is a cast of pros ready to share what they know. One of the standout voices is Rick Storlie.
Meet Rick Storlie
Rick entered the industry in 1988 with a framing hammer in hand and quickly made his way through nearly every job a construction site can offer, from cleanup duty to GM of a major custom home builder. In 2005, he shifted his focus to coaching and sales training, eventually launching Builder Lead Converter (BLC) in 2020. Today, BLC acts as a builder’s always-on sales assistant, helping teams attract, capture and convert higher-quality leads so they can choose the right clients and projects instead of saying yes to everything.
Rick’s journey is equal parts grit, curiosity and experimentation, which is exactly why his IBS 2026 session is already turning heads.
Rick’s at IBS Education Session
3 Journeys of Builder & Remodeler Growth: Strategies & Lessons Learned
What does it really take to scale a custom home or remodeling business in today’s market? Rick and his panel dig into three powerful case studies from Radford Building, Ironwood Custom Builders and Joe’s Carpentry. Attendees will see how these companies transformed their operations through smarter marketing, pre-construction systems, financial clarity, team development and more. The session walks through real numbers, real changes and real results, including the story of a company that tripled net profit in just 12 months.
This is a roadmap built from lived experience, not theory.
What You’ll Learn
Rick’s session promises a toolkit of practical, immediately usable insights, including:
- Marketing tools, estimating software and agreements that streamline operations and support efficient scaling.
- Five critical financial metrics every builder should monitor.
- Where profit leaks hide and how to patch them.
- How specialization and diversification influence margins, lead flow and long-term growth.
- A real-world blueprint for strengthening margins and building a more scalable, resilient company.
In Rick’s Words
Read Rick’s take on the Builders’ Show and the industry.
What takeaways can attendees expect from your session?
Real, tangible action items for scaling while protecting profitability. We are covering strategies for marketing, lead generation, sales, hiring, estimating, project management and understanding key numbers that guide growth.
What are you most looking forward to at IBS?
Catching up with colleagues, networking and diving into cutting-edge knowledge sessions. And, of course, exploring what’s new on the show floor.
Advice for first-time attendees:
Don’t try to do everything. Bring a colleague if you can to divide, conquer and plan ahead. My first IBS in 2001 felt like “drinking from a fire hose.” Save time to learn and time to breathe.
Best place to be at IBS?
It depends on your mission. For me, the sweet spot is education sessions and the Business Management & Professional Services areas.
Most interesting 2026 industry trend:
The shift in how consumers find information. Generative Search Optimization and short-form video are leveling the playing field, helping builders build trust and visibility without massive ad budgets.
What changes will the next five years bring?
Shorter attention spans, evolving design demands and a broader demographic mix will reshape workflows. Builders will need products, methods and technologies that move faster, cost less and communicate better. Those who embrace AI will operate leaner and smarter.
Biggest challenge today:
Housing affordability. Communities that champion new home construction and homeownership will be the ones that thrive.
See Rick Live at IBS 2026
Rick’s session is part of the IBS Expo+Education Pass, so you can choose from 120+ sessions across sales, operations, design, AI, finance, offsite construction and more. It’s the best way to make the most of your time in Orlando and bring meaningful ideas back to your team.
Ready to learn from Rick and dozens of other industry leaders?
Register for your IBS Expo+Education Pass and start building your 2026 plan.