5 Must-See Items for Every IBS First-Time Attendee

IBS
Published

With more than 1,300 exhibitors to see — and numerous events and education sessions to attend — the 2024 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) provides plenty of great choices to fill your time in Las Vegas. With so many options from which to choose, however, it may be hard for first-time attendees to maximize their time at the event.

Although not a comprehensive list of everything at the show, the following should be top stops on your show agenda if it’s your first IBS event:

1. Special Events: IBS‘s impressive lineup of special events cater to a wide range of interests. Whether it’s an informative pre-show learning opportunity by a respected industry expert, a celebrity keynote speech or an awards ceremony, make sure to add some of these events to your schedule. Events such as the Official IBS House Party, Young Pro Party and NAHB Award ceremonies, including the Best in American Living™ Awards and The Nationals, are ticketed events that often sell out, so it’s best to buy tickets as soon as possible.

2. New Product Zone: This is where the latest and greatest residential construction products and technologies make their grand debut. Don’t miss the chance to be among the first to discover the next industry-changing innovation. This area tends to get crowded, so try to visit early in the day for the best experience.

3. Segments on the Show Floor and Outdoor Exhibits: This year, the exhibit show floor is separated into six categories, plus the Outdoor Exhibits. With 1,300-plus exhibitors, it’s impossible to visit every one of them. Instead, look at the exhibitor list or floor plans ahead of time. Identify the categories or exhibitors that you want to visit so you know before you go where to concentrate during your times on the show floor.

4. Demo Zones: Live demonstrations in the Construction Performance Zone and the Craft Techniques Zone are hot spots at IBS. Step into the Construction Performance Zone to see industry experts reveal industry best practices for building more durable, efficient, higher-quality homes. Explore the details and finishes that complete a home in the Craft Techniques Zone.

5. IBS Education: One of the biggest draws to IBS is the 100+ IBS Education sessions, where you can learn strategies, discover new trends and learn more directly from industry experts. As an NAHB member who is a first-time attendee, you can enjoy an Expo+Education Pass at a greatly reduced rate, which gives you access to the show floor and all of the IBS Education sessions.

Registration will open Sept. 1 for the 2024 IBS, taking place Feb. 27-29, 2024. Learn more at BuildersShow.com.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Advocacy

Mar 04, 2026

NAHB's Monthly Update Highlights Advocacy Priorities

The talking points this month feature news related to President Trump’s tariffs and NAHB’s 2026 economic outlook.

Labor

Mar 03, 2026

National Labor Relations Board Restores 2020 Joint Employer Standard

Late last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a final revision of regulations governing the standard for determining joint employer status under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Mar 03, 2026

Multifamily Absorption Rate Remains Below 50%

The percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion was unchanged for new units completed in the second quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).

Economics

Mar 02, 2026

Private Residential Construction Spending Edges Higher in December

Private residential construction spending was up 1.5% for the last month of 2025. This modest gain was driven primarily by increased spending on home improvements and single-family construction. Despite this increase, total spending remained 1.3% lower than a year ago, reflecting the continued impact of housing affordability challenges facing the sector.

Economics

Mar 02, 2026

2024 Home Improvement Loan Applications: A State- and County-Level Analysis

Residential improvement activity remained solid in 2024, though growth has moderated from the surge seen in 2022.