How to Prepare to Exhibit at International Builders’ (IBS) Show 2026
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is taking their International Builders’ Show (IBS) to Orlando, Florida February 17-19, 2026 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
IBS is the premier event for home builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers, real estate agents, mortgage bankers, lenders, building material distributors, and many others who work closely with them. The show provides a unique opportunity to network with colleagues and learn about the latest products and services offered by leading companies in the industry.
About the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) manages and organizes the International Builder’s Show (IBS). NAHB represents over 140,000 members nationwide, becoming the voice for housing policies to make housing a priority.
Additionally, IBS attendance helps NAHB support and shape the housing agenda and enrich communities across the United States.
Education Sessions and Workshops
IBS has a successful show history spanning over seven decades, and this year’s show continues that tradition as the world’s largest annual light construction show. It is open to professional tradespeople in homebuilding, remodeling, architecture and building material distribution.
This year’s International Builders’ Show will be a place to show off new product launches, share industry knowledge from top experts, and connect with customers needing your services.
Attendees can take part in over 120 education sessions across nine topical tracks, including:
- Game Changers – Daily keynote-style talks from industry and business leaders
- Super Sessions – Extended, high-energy discussions on key topics
- Building Knowledge Sessions – 60-minute deep-dive presentations
- AI & Tech Studio – A new track focusing on artificial intelligence and emerging technology tools for home building
- Custom Building & Remodeling – Design trends, project planning, and communication strategies
- Building Science Symposium – Technical sessions on high-performance and sustainable building
Learn the latest home builder trends and tackle your niche-specific challenges while connecting with your peers who are as passionate about the industry as you are.
Featured Exhibitors
IBS 2026 will host over 1,700 exhibitors and 1,700+ brands across six exhibit segments, including Building Materials, Business Management & Professional Services, Interior Finishings & Home Living, and the new Outdoor Living, Leisure & Modular Structures segment.
The show also features specialized zones like the Home Technology Zone, Construction Performance Zone, and Startup Zone for emerging companies.
Some major exhibitors you can expect include:
- 84 Lumber
- A.O. Smith
- ABC Supply
- ABB
- Benjamin Moore
- Big Ass Fans
- GE Appliances (Haier)
View the current full list of confirmed exhibitors at buildersshow.com.
Home Building Industry Trends for 2026
Exhibitors preparing for IBS 2026 should be aware of current industry challenges and opportunities:
Key Challenges:
- Skilled labor shortages continue to impact the industry
- Housing affordability remains a critical concern with high mortgage rates
- Rising construction costs due to material tariffs and elevated wages
Emerging Technologies:
- Offsite construction and panelization are growing responses to labor shortages
- Artificial intelligence and digital tools for design and project management
- Smart home and IoT products gaining prominence
- High-performance building techniques including all-electric homes, solar, and advanced insulation
These trends are reflected throughout the show’s programming and exhibit floor, making IBS 2026 an essential event for staying current with industry innovations.
Preparing to Exhibit at IBS 2026
Making the most of an in-person trade show requires strategic planning before, during, and after the event. Here are some tips to making this show a success.
Before the show: Use social platforms and email to give your customers frequent updates and build excitement. It’s never too early to start advertising to reach a new audience. Boosting your social posts or creating digital ads can help you connect with potential customers who will be attending.
Through the show: Don’t stop giving updates when the show starts! Share real-time updates, showcase new products, and highlight what’s happening at your booth. This keeps people engaged whether they’re at the show or following along remotely.
Partnerships & networking: Connect with other businesses to form cross promotions and shared information both your customers would be excited to learn about. This can be a great way to network with other companies and attendees you might otherwise not meet. For new customers, remember to give them something to follow up about, like future meetings or useful information you can share.
Interactive booth elements: Take advantage of the in-person format with product demonstrations, hands-on samples, and interactive displays. Studies show that 72% of trade show attendees meet new suppliers at events, so make your booth engaging and welcoming.
Post show marketing: Keep your show presence going strong by sharing event highlights afterwards. These added connections with your audience can be another way to upsell offerings, or get them excited to attend your next show.
Plan ahead: Download our Trade Show Preparation PDF for planning help every step of the way.
Get Professional Help with Your IBS 2026 Booth
Your booth says a lot about your company, and displaying and organizing efficiently can go a long way. Get help designing an amazing booth with Xibit Solutions. Our professional team has been helping exhibitors with every aspect of trade-show planning for over 20 years. Whether you need layout design, eye-catching details or help with space efficiency, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us now to learn more about what we can do for your IBS 2026 exhibit.
