Is the 2027 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) your first time attending the Builders’ Show? For IBS first-timers, the show’s sheer scale can be overwhelming. After all, it is the premier industry event of the year, drawing tens of thousands of residential construction professionals worldwide, 1,700+ brands and companies, 120+ education sessions, special events and more.
With some preparation, your Builders’ Show experience can be memorable and productive. Check out our insider guide for creating the best first-time Builders’ Show experience.
Must-Dos for First Timers
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of everything happening at the show, here are some top stops to add to your show schedule.
Demo Zones
Live demonstrations in the Construction Performance Zone and the Craft Techniques Zone are hot spots at the Builders’ Show. Step into the Construction Performance Zone to see industry experts reveal industry best practices for building more durable, efficient and higher-quality homes. Explore the details and finishes that complete a home in the Craft Techniques Zone.
IBS Education
Education is always a centerpiece of the Builders’ Show. The IBS Education* lineup promises to dazzle and captivate with its 120+ IBS Education sessions, tailored for our industry, where you can learn strategies, discover new trends and more, directly from experts. With a mix of returning beloved sessions coupled with enhancements to IBS Education, there’s a wealth of knowledge awaiting every professional in the residential construction industry at the Builders’ Show.
The best plan is to use the IBS Education Search or the IBS App (available to download in mid-January) to find all the education sessions you want to attend. You can search by topic, interest, date and more. Make a list of the sessions sorted by day and time. Add these sessions to build your show agenda in the IBS App (once it’s available).
Here are a few tips to make the most of your IBS Education sessions:
1. Plan Ahead: Review the schedule and mark your preferred sessions. The Builders’ Show offers concurrent sessions, so planning is necessary to avoid clashes. We’re offering encore (repeat) sessions and added time slots to help avoid missing any sessions you want to attend. Expo+Education registrants can also access recorded sessions on demand after the show for a limited time.
2. Arrive Early: Popular sessions can fill up quickly, so arrive at least 15–20 minutes early. This helps to guarantee a seat and gives you a chance to network with other professionals while you’re waiting for the session to open/begin. NOTE: All IBS Education are in the LVCC West Hall, however, it is up to a 25-minute walk in between the convention center halls, so add transition time.
3. Engage: Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the Q&A. The speakers are industry leaders, so this is your opportunity to get direct insights from them.
Pro Tip: Add all the sessions you want to attend, even if they overlap. If one of the sessions is full, you can attend the backup session. We’re offering encore or repeat sessions, so if you can’t attend the first time the session is scheduled, you can attend the encore session. Expo+Education registrants have post-show access to the Education On-Demand Library until Jun 30, 2027.
New Product Zone
Add the New Product Zone as a stop on your show plan to see the debut of the latest and greatest residential construction products and technologies. Don’t miss the chance to be among the first to discover the next industry-changing product. This area tends to get crowded, so visit earlier in the day for the best experience.
Segments on the Show Floor & Outdoor Exhibits
The exhibit show floor is separated into 6 categories and the Outdoor Exhibits. With 1,700+ exhibitors, it’s impossible to visit all of them. Instead, look at the exhibitor list or floor plans ahead of time. Identify the categories or exhibitors you want to visit, so you know where to concentrate your time on the show floor.
The Oasis & Outdoor Exhibits
The Oasis is a hotspot in the Outdoor Exhibits. Head to The Oasis for fun, giveaways, IBS swag and unique experiences. Past experiences included an ice cream cart, bubble truck, beer, a tequila tasting, popcorn bar, mimosa bar and more! Tour demo homes, attend happy hours and explore more home products in the Outdoor Exhibits.
NAHB Members
NAHB Members can enjoy exclusive events, meetings and more at the Builders’ Show. Be sure to stop in NAHB HQ for fun events, a Member-Only Area and more.
If you’re not an NAHB Member yet but are interested in joining, you can Become a Member before the show or visit NAHB HQ during the show.
Download & Use the IBS App
To help you navigate the event smoothly, IBS provides an official app with features like interactive floor plans, a complete event schedule, speaker listings and more. Download it from your app store or BuildersShow.com/App ahead of time to familiarize yourself with it. The app will be available mid-Jan.
You can also the app to:
1. Plan Your Day: Use the app’s built-in scheduler to plan your day. You can add sessions, reminders, exhibitors and more, so you won’t miss anything important.
2. Navigate: The Las Vegas Convention Center is vast, but the app’s interactive map helps ensure you never get lost. You can locate exhibitors, find specific companies and session rooms and chart the fastest route to your next destination.
3. Network: Use the app to connect with other attendees, schedule meetings and share your experiences. Remember, connecting with other industry professionals is a significant part of the Builders’ Show!
Pro Tip: Add all events, education sessions and other stops to your personal show agenda, even if they happen simultaneously, so you have a backup if something happens with your first choice.
Remember to pace yourself. The Builder’s Show is action-packed. It can be tempting to see it all, but take breaks and the time to soak it all in.
Plan & Research Before You Go
Check BuildersShow.com and the IBS App for schedules, floor plans and exhibitor lists. It gives you a head start in deciding which IBS Education sessions you want to attend, where your areas of interest are on the segmented show floor and the specific companies you want to visit.
Set Clear Goals
The best way to create a strategic plan for tackling the Builders’ Show is to start with your goals. Start with what you are trying to accomplish.
- Are you looking for specific products?
- Do you want to learn about the latest residential construction trends?
- Are you there to network and make connections?
Set clear objectives for attending the show to optimize your time and plan a strategy for each day. For example, if you’re looking for a specific product, check the exhibitor list to find the segment on the show floor and the exact exhibitors offering that product so you know where to find them when you arrive at the show.
If you’re trying to figure out the latest marketing strategies for custom home builders, use the IBS Education Search to find sessions about marketing specifically for custom builders.
Pro Tip: Schedule your time with your main priority in mind, but leave time for other areas of the show. You may spend most of your day in IBS Education sessions, but leave an hour to walk the show floor, visit the IBS Store to stock your bookshelf and attend special networking events you have tickets for after show hours.
Dress Comfortably
The Builders’ Show is huge and spread out in three LVCC halls. You’ll be walking a lot. Wear comfortable shoes and attire. Business casual is typically a safe choice, but you will see people dressed in everything from jeans to suits.
Pro Tip: Wear a different pair of comfortable shoes each day of the show.
Pack Show Day Essentials
With only three days to pack it all in, your show days are packed and long. Create a comfortable experience by packing essentials in your show bag daily.
- Bring a backpack or tote bag for guides, brochures, samples and promotional items you pick up from the show.
- Carry a notebook and pen or a tablet to jot down important information — especially during IBS Education sessions, but also for networking and the connections you make.
- Ensure your phone is 100% charged. Consider bringing a portable charger.
- Pack snacks, a reusable water bottle and lunch (if possible). The Convention Center has food and drink vendors, but the lines tend to get long.
Pro Tip: Stay hydrated and nourished. With all the walking and talking, it’s easy to forget to eat or drink. Have a water bottle, take snack breaks and drop a lip balm into your bag to protect your lips from the dry Vegas air.
Already registered for IBS 2027? See you at the Builders’ Show, Feb 2–4!
Still need to register for IBS 2027? It’s not too late! Register now for an IBS Expo or Expo+Education Pass.
*IBS Education requires an Expo+Education Pass.