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Builders’ Show Sets the Stage for Emerging Housing Market
By the tens of thousands, home builders and other housing industry professionals will be heading to next month’s 2010 International Builders’ Show (IBS) from across the country and around the world to gather information geared to ensuring that their businesses are prepared to capitalize on recovery from one of the most punishing downturns on record.
Economists at NAHB are optimistic that the housing industry will slowly gather strength in the year ahead, but market conditions will be different from those of the period preceding the housing slump and builders are going to have to retool and take a new perspective in order to succeed in connecting with a growing number of prospective home buyers.
The IBS — scheduled from Jan. 19-22 in Las Vegas — is the one event of the year that will gather the resources builders need to adapt to these new market realities.
On an issue of paramount importance — the availability of acquisition, development and construction financing — next year’s IBS will break new ground with the introduction of the Partnership Pavilion.
NAHB has developed this innovative new approach to help get funds flowing back to housing by helping its members find new sources of debt and equity, and by reinvigorating the traditional sources of housing credit.
This exciting new venue at the IBS will provide an opportunity for home builders and developers to discuss their projects and funding needs with representatives of a variety of capital sources and financing advisors.
The pavilion will include private meeting space where NAHB members can schedule and conduct business efficiently in a confidential setting.
Members who are interested in participating in the pavilion need to qualify prior to the show by providing specific information on their proposed projects. For further information on this process, go to www.nahb.org/partnership.
Education Plays a Key Role
As in previous years, education will play a central role in the 2010 IBS, with more than 175 education sessions in such tracks as multifamily, 50+ housing, sales and marketing and more. All of the sessions are led by recognized experts in their fields, and many of the courses are required for various builder certifications.
Carrying on the tradition of the IBS, there also will be numerous social events and happy hours throughout the show that will give attendees chances to meet with friends and establish new business contacts. The 2010 IBS will introduce special lounges for builders in the multifamily, 50+ housing and remodeling sectors, featuring focused networking opportunities.
The show will also include daily keynote sessions, open to all attendees — including nationally-recognized experts on various aspects of the home building business, including such emerging fields as green building.
Popular columnist and funny-man Dave Barry will deliver the keynote address at the show’s Grand Opening Ceremonies. “In 1988 he won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Many people are still trying to figure out how this happened,” according to his official biography.
Rounding out the show’s special events will be “Green Day,” which is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20, with green building keynote addresses, giveaways of Trek bicycles and more.
A World-Class Home Builder Trade Show
IBS 2010 will carry on the tradition of connecting builders with the world’s most well-known and trusted manufacturers and suppliers. Crowding the building industry’s largest exhibit hall, these exhibitors will be showing off their latest products, answering builders’ questions and offering a variety of giveaways and other items.
For a list of the show’s newest exhibitors, click here.
Builders who come to the show to discover the construction technologies and products and features that will set new trends for the industry will be able to tour a special New American Home Product Showcase just across the hall from the exhibition floor in Room 109/110N of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The New American Home exhibit will be substituting for the real thing, since final completion of the home was delayed by the credit crisis. For a related story in this issue of NBN, click here.
What’s New?
In addition to the many benefits and features that have established IBS as the must-attend home builder event year after year, 2010 IBS will feature a variety of new elements — including free or cost-saving options for attendees.
For example, attendees can purchase one- or two-day education passes, which provide admittance not only to the exhibit floor all four days of the show, but also admittance to as many sessions as they care to attend on one or two days of the event. Members can save as much as 33% on the education passes compared to non-members, and they must specify in advance which days of education they wish to purchase.
Also new this year, the IBS is wrapping up with a bigger finish than ever. On Friday, Jan. 22, all education sessions will be free — allowing attendees to get even more insights, ideas and resources they can take home and apply to their business. In addition, attendees are invited to join in a happy hour on Friday in the exhibit hall, with specially priced hot dogs and beer. A total of $30,000 in cash will be given away hourly throughout the day.
You Be the Judge!
This holiday season, NAHB members and their friends are invited to take a brief time-out for something fun related to the Builders’ Show. Online and ready for viewing are aspiring contestants in the "nahb STAR" competition — each of whom hopes to sing the National Anthem at the IBS Grand Opening Ceremonies.
Click here to view the videos, and then vote for your favorite. Three finalists will earn a trip to Las Vegas, where the final winner will be selected. Viewers can vote more than once, and voting will remain open through 5:00 pm EST on Friday, Dec. 18. The singers hail from all across the country, and each has his or her own particular musical style.
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