Lace up your sneakers and get ready to explore the largest International Builders’ Show (IBS) floor in 15 years Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas. Spanning nearly 675,000 net square feet of floor space, this year’s show welcomes a host of over 1,700 exhibiting companies, 45% of which are new to IBS.
Approaching the many halls, maps, and arrows, the show can be overwhelming to peruse. To get an insider look at this year’s show, BUILDER tapped Geoff Cassidy, NAHB chief revenue officer. Read his pointers on how to get the most out of the show.
How have the floor plans for IBS changed over the years?
Beyond the onset of the co-location of IBS with the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in 2014 (collectively called Design & Construction Week or DCW), for the first time in the 80-year history of IBS, NAHB has segmented the exhibit floor into six broad product/service categories (Product Segmentation). DCW became so large that it was becoming increasingly difficult for attendees to find what they needed and to compare suppliers of similar products. Segmentation solves that.
How are exhibitors laid out across the halls?
The IBS exhibits that are inside the Las Vegas Convention Center are divided into six segments:
Central Hall:
- Building Materials
West Hall:
- Interior Finishings & Home Living
- Business Management & Professional Services
- Global Products
South Hall (Upper Level):
- Construction Tools, Systems, Equipment & Safety
- Outdoor Living, Leisure & Modular Structures
IBS also has exhibits outside in Silver Parking Lot 1 that are not segmented. A more detailed list of the product/service categories contained within each segment is available at BuildersShow.com.
The KBIS exhibits are in the North Hall, downstairs in South, Silver Parking Lot 3, and part of West Hall. IBS registrants have complimentary access to the KBIS exhibits.
What’s your best advice for getting the most out of the show?
Do not expect to do and see it all! Instead, set priorities and a goal for each day of the show. Create a daily plan based on exhibitors, education sessions, networking, and social events, etc., you want to see and attend. Do this all before landing in Vegas, and revisit and adjust the plan each night before heading to the show each morning. Stick to the plan to achieve your daily goals.
Schedule your time with your main priorities in mind first but leave time for all the 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, connect with niche peers and experts in Centrals, and network during the evening special events.
For first-time attendees, what’s the best way to navigate the show?
Plan ahead, do your research, and set priorities for each day of the show. Check BuildersShow.com for schedules, floor plans, and exhibitor lists. Read the Know the Show Blog for guides, tips, and more. All of which provides the first-timer with a head start in deciding which IBS Education Sessions to attend, where areas of interest are located on the segmented show floor, and specific booths to visit.
Most importantly, to help navigate the event smoothly, IBS provides an official app (available Jan. 30) with features like interactive floor plans, the complete event schedule, speaker listings, and more. Be sure to download it before the show to learn how it works and use the app to plan each day, navigate the show, and network with attendees, exhibitors, and speakers.
Are there any exhibits that often get the most traffic?
Yes. Some of the large exhibits naturally draw more traffic. However, the foot traffic at the show is typically heavy in every hall, and we’re expecting to see that segmentation only enhance this aspect of the show.
What’s one of the more memorable exhibits in years past?
The two demo zones on the show floor, the Construction Performance Zone and the Craft Techniques Zone, are two of the more popular spots on the exhibit floor. All types of industry professionals attend the live demos to learn about new products and techniques or even new uses for products they’re already using.
In addition to comfortable shoes, what’s your top tip?
Be present and enjoy the experience. It’s hard to leave work or your business for three-plus days, but the show is your opportunity to better yourself and your business/company. Take it all in while you have the chance. Then, bring the information, knowledge, contacts, and insights back to your business when you get home.
Are there any exhibits that will be a must-see this year?
Honestly, there are too many to list, but we would like to highlight that for the past 41 years NAHB has spearheaded the construction of the IBS Official Show Home, The New American Home (TNAH 2024), and this year is no exception. Complimentary buses run from the show to the home in the Ascaya neighborhood of Henderson, Nevada, during show days. Tickets to ride that bus and tour the home are always in great demand and are first come, first served.
What’s the best way for attendees to get show updates?
Check BuildersShow.com. Mark show emails as safe so you receive them in your inbox. Watch for email show updates and information to land in inboxes. And finally, while at the show, check the IBS app for alerts and updates! The IBS app will be available Jan. 30.
