Why IBS Attendees Should Watch the Student Competition

The NAHB Student Competition at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) features contests between the sharpest up-and-coming land developers, project managers and designers from NAHB’s Student Chapters.

During the competition, students present and defend sharp professional building proposals, which are reviewed, critiqued and judged by a panel of construction company executives. 

“You’re seeing a significant investment in the future, and you’re seeing the best and the brightest students that are interested in home building,” said Eric Holt, associate professor of practice at the University of Denver, and Student Chapter advisory board member. 

“If you want to see and recruit for your future workforce, come to these presentations. You’ll meet students that have dedicated their semester to this. They’ve put a ton of hours and work into this, their faculty has done a bunch of fundraising and coaching. This is the best of the best for home building’s future.”

Seventy-four teams are set to compete across four student competitions: four-year programs (production homes, undergraduate and graduate students), four-year programs (custom/small build), associate programs and secondary programs. Teams will present in 30-minute intervals.

“Industry professionals attending IBS need to understand that these students aren’t as green as they might think,” said Alicia Cox Skoug, Washington D.C. division president for Drees Homes and a judge for the four-year and graduate programs production home build competition.

“They understand the nuances and have the big-picture idea of what needs to go into a project. It’s also just impressive to see these students come in and present. It’s like a dissertation.”

All IBS attendees are encouraged to attend the Student Competition. The three-day contests start on Monday, Feb. 24 and end Wednesday, Feb. 26.

The full schedule is available here and open to all attendees.