Products, Networking, Education Draw Industry Pros to IBS

Home building professionals cite educational sessions, product exhibits and networking as key reasons for attending the International Builders’ Show (IBS), which will be held Feb. 7-10 in Orlando, Fla. with pre-show education beginning Feb. 3

According to previous attendees, the top five draws to the show include:

1. Countless Educational Opportunities
   
   Attendees can select from more than 290 educational sessions in everything from green building and land development to marketing techniques and tips on succeeding in a slowing market.
   
   Pre-show educational sessions offer builders and affiliates the chance for more in-depth industry knowledge, as well as the opportunity to earn credit towards a professional designation.
   
   “The seminars offer a wealth of information and educational opportunities necessary to keep builders up-to-date in the industry,” said builder Travis Graham, president of Graham Construction Company in Blue Springs, Mo. “With such a variety of choices, whatever your interests are, IBS is bound to have a session that meets your needs.”
   
   Longtime attendee Kent Conine, president of Conine Residential Group Inc. in Frisco, Texas and the 2003 NAHB president, agreed. “There is no other place where you will find the industry’s greatest minds gathered in one place.," he said. "Each year I attend the show, I come back with some new tips or useful information that I can use in my own business.”
   
   
2. Cutting-Edge Product Showcase
   
   The housing industry's largest product showcase features a record-breaking one million net square feet of exhibit space with the newest, most cutting-edge building products available.
   
   “It’s like a mega-mall with something new every year,” Robert Frost, president of Frost Construction Co., Blue Springs, Mo., said. “With such a huge assortment of suppliers, IBS is a great place to make comparisons among products to incorporate into building projects back home.”
   
   Visitors can also preview exhibits and products at the virtual trade show Web site, www.BuildersShow.com/VTS.
   
   
3. Unbeatable Networking Opportunities
   
   Housing professionals point to the ability to interact with industry peers as another top reason to attend the show.
   
   “Builders and remodelers are always looking for opportunities to differentiate themselves from their competitors,” said Ken Klein, president of Kleinco Residential, Tulsa, Okla. “The International Builders' Show is a unique venue to meet and network with builders who are ready to share openly with others who are not competitors in their geographic market.”
   
   “The ability to meet and interact with other similarly sized builders is invaluable,” said Michael Check, president of Mike Check Builders in Cato, Wis. “Frequently we are dealing with similar issues, so the show provides a great forum for us to get together and learn from each other’s experiences.”
   
   
4. Impressive Show Homes
   
   Builders will also have the opportunity to tour several homes, starting with The New American Home and The Renewed American Home, the official show homes of IBS.
   
   The New American Home is a single-family, three-story, 5,800-square-foot contemporary style house with a basement, detached two-car garage with living space overhead, courtyard and roof plaza. The Renewed American Home is a 2,462-square-foot house built in 1909 that is being completely renovated and expanded. The house was moved from its original site to a lot adjacent to The New American Home.
   
   Both showcase homes — which serve as demonstration homes for new ideas, cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art design, products and construction methods — are located in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District in downtown Orlando, approximately 15 minutes from the convention center.
   
   
5. Interesting Speakers

IBS also attracts some of the most interesting speakers. For the 2007 show, noted journalist Ted Koppel, the former television anchor of ABC’s “Nightline,” will be the keynote speaker during opening ceremonies on Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m.

Discounted Online Registration

Discounted online registration is available through Friday, Jan. 5. Onsite registration begins Sunday, Feb. 4.

For more information, visit the Builders’ Show Web site at www.BuildersShow.com.

IBS Exhibit Floor Hours
	Wednesday, Feb. 7	9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
	Thursday, Feb. 8	9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
	Friday, Feb. 9	9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
	Saturday, Feb. 10	9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

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