Best of IBS Award Winners
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A look at the eight products that took the honors at the 2015 International Builders' Show.
Play slideshowWith more than 1,200 exhibitors at the 2015 International Builders’ Show, attendees had plenty of new products to see. Out of these many offerings, eight stood out: the winners of the Best of IBS Awards.
The contest received 400 entries; though awards are given in eight categories, products can be entered in more than one. Each member of the judging panel was tasked with evaluating 10-15 products on the show floor, according to Meg Meyer, vice president of marketing at NAHB.
“This was our way to cull them down to a manageable level, because there was no way for every judge to see them all,” she adds.
Entrants were judged on functionality, design, innovation, and usefulness to consumers and/or builders on a scale of one to 20. SnapRays’ Guidelight was selected as the overall best in show due to its high performance across every category in which it was entered, Meyer says.
Though there’s been a recent frenzy of ultra-high-tech home additions, the award winners show that seemingly small things can have a big impact.
“One of the trends that stood out is the simplicity,” says Meyer, noting that many of the winning products are thoughtfully designed with features that add convenience and improve ease of use.
Meyer’s observations were reflected by many manufacturers on the show floor, who displayed product upgrades aimed at increasing functionality, rather than including technology simply for technology’s sake or for a novelty factor—an approach no doubt appreciated by end-users. These winning products demonstrate that a straightforward approach can deliver significant innovation that resonates with builders and buyers alike.
