Top 10 Reasons IBS Scholarship Recipients Are Excited to Attend IBS 2024

2024 may seem far away, but the 2024 International Builders’ Show (IBS) — taking place Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas — will be here before you know it. And this year’s class of IBS Scholarship recipients are eager to attend.

NAHB members between the ages of 21-35 who receive a scholarship to attend IBS have a comprehensive opportunity to delve deeper into the interworkings of the home building industry and establish relationships that will help them thrive personally and professionally. Whether discovering new products and trends or connecting with industry professionals to address critical industry issues, this year’s IBS Scholarship recipients are ready to learn more about everything that the home building industry has to offer.

Products and Trends

1. “I am looking forward to exploring the new products and trends of our industry,” noted Holly Schneider, showroom manager for Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery and member of the Wichita Area Builders Association. “Sometimes it feels as though being in the Midwest, we are a bit slower to catch on to what is going on the coasts, and I believe I can bring back a lot of knowledge to our area.”

2. Austin Katje, director of operations for Veldhouse Construction and member of the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire, said: “To continue learning what products and services exist outside of my market that can better our projects, as well as network with other builders who share the same passions as myself.”

Education

3. “Attending as many education workshops as possible is essential for staying updated on the latest industry trends, best practices and innovative strategies,” shared Amanda Holman, loan officer for Movement Mortgage and member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville. “I want to absorb knowledge that I can apply in my role as a loan officer to better serve my clients and contribute to the success of my local association.”

Housing Affordability Solutions

4. “I’m looking forward to learning more about new state-of-the-art building practices and materials that will help to make future housing developments more affordable and sustainable,” stated Alison Simpson, professional engineer for Acute Engineering and member of the Utah Valley Home Builders Association.

5. “I’d like to dive into the policy making behind restrictions being placed on developers,” said Alex Milton, vice president of A.S.K. Properties and a member of Building Industry Association of Washington. “It seems the government overreach has handcuffed many folks in the industry and deters builders from the ability to build affordably.”

6. “At IBS, I’m eager to tackle the challenges related to land acquisition and development cost optimization,” noted Daytrieon Dean, senior land acquisitions specialist for South West Acquisitions and a member of the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee. “I’m also interested in exploring creative strategies to increase housing inventory and address affordability issues. These are crucial issues in the real estate and home building industry, and I believe finding innovative solutions will be both challenging and rewarding.”

Employee Recruitment and Retention

7. “I want to see the industry attract the next generation of young people,” said Andrew Grant, forward planning manager for Meritage Homes – Northern California Division and a member of the North State Building Industry Association. “It’s a great industry to work in, but we need to get the word out about it.”

8. Jon Beer, owner and lead carpenter of Jon Beer Contracting and a member of the New York State Builders Association, shared: “I’d like to understand what others are doing in regard to employee retention, training, and adding structure to the residential construction world.”

Networking

9. Jessica Overcash, owner of Integrity Electric and a member of the Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association, noted: “I am very excited to meet other young women in the construction field as well as learn about new products that I can bring back to my business in Florida.”

10. “I am not well connected in the industry and have limited knowledge about construction methods,” said Elizabeth Boone, structural engineer for Myer Hill Consulting and a member of the Building Industry Association of Lancaster. “I hope to begin my career networking on this trip and learn more about the industry because engineering can be very ‘heady’ and neglect the physical feasibility of what we design. It’s important to know more about the buildings I am designing and meet those people who can teach me about that.”

Discover more about the 2024 IBS and register to attend at buildersshow.com.

Meet more of the 2024 IBS Scholarship recipients at blog.buildersshow.com.