Know the Show

“The achievements of the industry have pressured everyone to raise their game, to the benefit of all,” says Stephen Moore, chair of the 55+ Housing Industry Council awards committee. “The ultimate benefit is an industry that continues to push itself towards higher standards for our neighborhoods and the homes we are building.”

The prestigious Best in American Living Awards spotlight design excellence in all markets. Winners stand out and set the standard for custom, production and remodeled home projects.

“While winning the Room of the Year award was exciting for me and my team, the real gratification came from the positive reaction of people across the country,” said Lori Carroll of Lori Carroll & Associates about her BALA win. “For clients who expect quality at its finest, winning such a prestigious national award is testament to the excellence they can expect from us.”

The Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards focus on design and construction: creative development concepts, innovative financing strategies, great design, and superior management and marketing in the apartment, townhouse and condo marketplace.

These awards demonstrate to your potential clients that your work stands out from a crowded field of competitors. The judging panels consist of seasoned experts who can recognize innovation the moment they see it.

Go directly to the entry form for all three awards programs. You’ll need to sign in with your NAHB login to access the form. If you don’t have one, click the box on the sign-in page to request one now.

The Multitude of Products on Display

With more than 1,500 top manufacturers and suppliers from around the globe, the show floor is a great place to meet vendors and discover new products. 

“I was able to get so much product knowledge, and we're going to start using new vendors on our houses.” – Anna Fosmire, Crabbe Homes, Clarksville, TN 

“I got to see a new product launch from one of my main window lines—something I never would have seen if I hadn’t been at the show.” – Zeke Keel, Southern Window Supply, Birmingham, AL 

“It definitely helps to have a minute with the manufacturers to learn how they install their products.” – Lynch Christian, Four Points Construction, Inc., Berkeley County, WV 

Education, the Centrals & Communities

Packed with more than 140 education sessions—in addition to the presentations found on the show floor and inside niche-specific Centrals—IBS education is one of the greatest draws for young professionals. 

“There were a couple of education sessions where I felt like they were speaking to me. I was sitting there like, ‘Yes, this is what I want to hear!’” – Dana Spanjer, Spanjer Homes, Fort Collins, CO 

“Going to the Custom Building Central, I had the opportunity to meet with like-minded individuals; and had deep discussions about the presentations.” – Kristopher Gardner, Magleby Construction, Lindon, UT 

“I definitely came away with a lot of good things that I can use in my work now and in the future. I specifically attended the Building Systems Council presentations and learned a lot about what's going on around the country.” – Brandyn Deckinga, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Grand Rapids, MI 

Networking & Connecting with Others

Scholarship recipients spent considerable time networking, which is key to career-building and business-growth. 

“You never know who you're going to run into, what services you might share, what you might have in common or who knows who.” – Elenore Decos, MonGroup Properties, Inc., Shrewsbury, NJ 

“The stories you hear when talking to people are the best part because you can extract little bits and pieces that make sense for you and your market.” – Gabe DaSilva, DaSilva Group, Inc., Union County, NJ 

“My favorite thing about the show was interacting with fellow builders from across the country. I talked to builders about what they were doing with different financing programs, what software they were using and how they handled client selections. I also talked to people who weren't builders about what they're seeing in the industry.” – Kristi Allen, Wood Castle Homes, Jordan, UT 

Young Pros: Eager to experience the Builders’ Show first-hand?

This course helps participants increase their professional knowledge of project operations thus bring value to the company and the customer. It  teaches you the basics of successful project management and explains the role of project managers during each phase of a project: pre-construction, construction and post-construction. Graduates will be able to:

Understand and execute the pre-construction project management functions and responsibilities.

Efficiently utilize the tools available for project management.

Manage trade contractors effectively.

Competently and confidently perform project management duties during all phases of construction.

The Project Management Course provides six hours of continuing education credits for these NAHB designations: CAPS, CGA, CGP, CGR, GMB, Master CGP, Master CSP. It also counts for 6 AIA/CES LU and 6 CE for AIBD. 

A 1mm layer of Aero-Therm is all that’s required to save up to 35% of energy used to heat your home. The ultra-thin reflective coating creates warm walls, eliminates cold spots and reduces mold. No regular insulation method offers this performance at such low thickness. 

Other ways Aero-Therm is “the cool way to warm walls”:

26% or more faster than traditional insulation when warming to ambient room temperature

Reduced floor-to-ceiling temperature differences for more balanced temperature

Wall-to-wall warmth with fewer cold spots, allowing comfort with the thermostat set lower

Enables installation of a lower-powered heating system

Two-day installation process

Aero-Therm’s nanotechnology component, AeroGel, so successfully transfers heat in lightweight material, NASA uses it extensively in its space program

AeroTherm is a water-dilutable putty that can be applied to interior or exterior walls, ceilings or into the floor formation. It’s applied in a similar process to plastering, leaving a surface that’s smooth and ready to paint. 

1. So Much Education! 140+ IBS education sessions cover the hottest industry topics as well as tools to help advance your career.

“I was really impressed with how much variety in education there was. It didn't matter which class I walked into, I could apply it to what I do.” – Shannon Alcock, Goldmark Construction Group, Raleigh, NC

2. Product Knowledge. IBS draws 1,500 manufacturers and suppliers, which is why it is the place to discover what’s trending in home building.

“I was able to get so much product knowledge. I actually met a ton of new vendors that we're going to start using on our houses. We were able to make a ton of new business relationships, and I learned a lot.” – Anna Fosmire, Crabbe Homes, Clarksville, TN

3. Demonstrations. Learn from construction demos and interactive programming in IBS Live, the High Performance Building Zone and Builder Clinics.

“A lot of times, the products just show up from a supplier on your job site, and you use your base knowledge to install them. It definitely helps to have a minute with the manufacturers for their recommendations and important little tidbits.” – Lynch Christian, Four Points Construction, Inc., Berkeley County, WV

4. Niche Exploration. The Centrals are fun, educational lounges that allow you to explore new niche-specific ideas and connect with others like yourself. Workshops, presentations, roundtables and networking events are all available inside each of the six Centrals: 55+ Housing, Custom Building, Design Studio, Multifamily, Remodelers and Sales.

“I found some great opportunities in the Custom Building Central to make my network stronger. – Kristopher Gardner, Magleby Construction, Lindon, UT

5. Networking with Other Industry YPs! IBS hosts some of the most memorable events—both during the show and after hours. The IBS Official House Party and the Young Pros Party are two events where young pros gather to have some fun and network with others in the industry.

“It was just amazing to see a lot of the young professionals at the show. Really inspiring.” – Sarah Harne, Dan Ryan Builders, Frederick, MD

BONUS REASON: Ignite Your Industry Passion. An industry coming together in one place over three days is invigorating. There’s so much energy and inspiration that comes out of every Builders’ Show.

“When I got home, I told my boss, ‘I never want to miss IBS again.’ I legitimately feel like my brain chemistry has been altered through this experience.” – Joshua Dean, Precision Homecrafters, LLC, Birmingham, AL

Installed in your selected rooms, each alarm utilizes Bluetooth Mesh technology to speak with the other alarms. When one alarm goes off in one room, all interconnected alarms will sound as one, notifying you what the specific danger is and in what room.

If you’re away from the home, Safe & Sound alerts you to emergencies through mobile alerts. The system app, or your voice, can also control lights, locks and more.

Safe & Sound also fills any room with immersive, 360-degree high-end audio, while advanced microphones with noise-cancellation technology let Safe & Sound hear you from any direction–even while playing Amazon music or news. Safe & Sound is equipped with a premium home speaker with quality comparable to top speaker systems on the market today.

“Onelink Safe & Sound has introduced entertainment into a safety device, intending to be a family’s new best friend,” says Angelica Smith, BRK Trade Marketing Manager. “Safe & Sound provides three valuable functions in one home automation device, reducing the footprint and adding convenience for the homeowner: smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, premium home speaker, enabled voice assistant–all in one!”

A 10-year sealed battery means no battery replacements for the life of the alarm and no low battery chirps in the middle of the night. This alarm is available in hardwired or battery versions.

Congratulations to Onelink, and meet the other Best Home Technology Product finalists:

The Brilliant Control by Brilliant

Lyric Security and Home Control Platform by Honeywell International Inc.

NuBryte Audio Active Speaker by NuBryte

SmartPlug Instant Hot Water Control by Taco Comfort Solutions

Attending the show can be difficult for up-and-coming professionals, which is why the IBS Scholarship Program, now in its third year, was created. The program is designed to give young career-minded industry pros the resources and tools they can use to build their careers. 

Fast facts from IBS 2018:

22 IBS scholarship recipients

60,000 attendees from 100 countries

1,500 top manufacturers and suppliers in one location

583,000 net square feet of exhibit space

140 education sessions in 8 tracks covering the entire building industry

Fun, informative destinations at the show include the Outdoor Exhibits, IBS Live, the IBS Centrals, the High Performance Building Zone and more! 

Showcasing new ideas and innovations is what the show is all about, and scholarship recipients can explore all of this and more during IBS 2019 in Las Vegas! 

Select recipients will receive:

One IBS 2019 full registration (includes expo floor and education session access)

R/T economy airfare to Las Vegas for one (up to $600)

4-night hotel stay at NAHB-designated hotel (February 18-21, 2019)

Scholarship recipient Meet & Greet (Monday, February 18, 2019)

One ticket to the Official IBS House Party (Tuesday, February 19, 2019)

One ticket to the Young Pro Party (Wednesday, February 20, 2019)

Qualifications:

Applicants or their company must be an NAHB member in good standing

Applicants must be between the ages of 21-35

Here’s what a few of last year’s IBS Scholarship recipients had to say about their experience: 

“All the things related to the scholarship were excellent. That was one of the highlights of the show.” – Brandyn Deckinga, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Grand Rapids, MI

“The show was educational. The amount of different things that are out there in the industry is eye-opening.” – Dan Darnold, Oak Tree Homes, Inc., Wilton, IA

“I liked going to the education sessions, and I had a couple this time where I felt like they were speaking to me. I was sitting in the audience, and I was like, ‘Yes, this is what I want to hear!’” – Dana Spanjer, Spanjer Homes, Fort Collins, CO

Take advantage of this opportunity!

This beautiful and easy-to-install system uses authentic, reclaimed wood from old barns and other structures around the U.S. and crafts them into Artis Wall planks that can be effortlessly installed, removed, and reused in any room. Every plank comes with a code stamp on the back identifying where your reclaimed wood came from.

Or, enjoy Artis Wall Stone, made of scrap, paper-laminate composite materials sourced from fabricators of anything from bathroom partitions to skateboard ramps!

Interest in Artis Wall caught on quickly, says creator Patrick Cartellone. “We decided to launch on Kickstarter to introduce the product and installation system to an entrepreneurial audience. After hitting the goal within three days, we knew this could be special.”

According to Cartellone, Artis Wall stands out because of its ease of use. “We offer consumers a simple and smart way to decorate their home. Making the product removable, reusable and damage-free is a first in the industry. This is a clear differentiation to other wall décor offerings.”

You can have your Artis Wall creation in just a few simple steps. First, measure your wall in inches and use the calculator to determine how many square feet you will need to purchase. Prep your walls and install the planks in minutes. Then sit back and enjoy the beauty of your modern yet rustic wall!

Artis Wall will adhere as long as you want it to. If you ever need a change, simply remove the planks and peel the patented adhesive strips from your wall--Artis Wall leaves no marks or damage. Artis Wall offers a flex payment plan, and orders ship within 48 hours.

Congratulations, Artis Wall! And meet the other Best Kitchen Product finalists:

VELUX ACTIVE takes care of all this for you! The system measures these critical parameters above—even the weather forecast--then automatically operates your VELUX windows, blinds and shutters to ensure your indoor environment is optimum. And because roof windows are located at the top of the house, where stale air tends to collect, the positive effects can be felt throughout the home. You can even retrofit your old skylights to the VELUX Active system.

The interface for all this functionality is an app for smartphone and tablet. It gives you full control over settings and parameters for operation of your windows, even away from home. And you can override the system’s algorithms at any time for manual operation.

“At VELUX, we want to meet consumer demand for high-quality products that promote smart, healthy living,” says company representative Laureston Hawley. “Though smart home technology isn’t a new concept, we’re bringing to market a product that allows homeowners to do more than simply control skylights with an app--VELUX Active does it for them.”

Judges agree with the innovation’s usefulness, noting VELUX Active is Simple to use with few components and cutting edge technology...The ability to retrofit older VELUX skylights makes it very accessible…The adaptable algorithms automate the system requiring minimum use.

Congratulations, VELUX! And meet the other Best Window & Door Product finalists:

Kwikset Kevo Convert Conversion Kit by Kwikset 

MagLev Glide by MagLev Glide 

ClimaCLEAR by NanaWall Systems 

NanaWall Shades by NanaWall Systems 

The Hub allows homeowners  to access their smart home even when the Internet connection to the cloud is down. With automatic firmware updates, Eaton ensures the Hub is always current. This allows the device to have the latest features and fix any issues without service interruptions and expensive callbacks—a consumer concern Eaton made sure to address from the beginning. 

“As a part of our product development process, we typically conduct extensive “voice of customer” research to understand what our customers are looking for, what are their pain points?” says Advait Katarki, Controls & Connectivity Manager, Eaton Residential & Wiring Devices Division. “We believe in delighting our customers, and every time we see that reaction from our customers we know it’s a special product.” 

Along with these features, the Hub also offers: 

Simple and quick installation

Can be mounted on the wall or placed on a flat surface

Powered by micro USB or Power over Ethernet (PoE injector sold separately)

Support for configurable scenes, schedules and notifications (text and email) 

Works with Amazon Alexa for voice-based control

One particular feature stands out as a benefit to home builders: Z-Wave technology (short for Zensys, its Danish company founder). In today’s smart home, devices like sensors, lightbulbs, heating controls, locks and the like use Z-Wave to talk to each other. A much lower power alternative than Wi-Fi, but with a much bigger range than Bluetooth, Z-Wave operates using low-energy radio waves to communicate from device to device. 

“There are some inherent challenges with adoption of smart home technology in a new home construction environment,” says Katarki. “The fact that with our Hub, installers can seamlessly install all of our Z-Wave devices and other select devices without an active Internet and Wi-Fi connection will really make this technology easier to adopt for home builders. Not only that, through a dedicated installer App (Pro Install), we have tried to simplify the installation and hand-off process for the installers so they can move from one job to another quicker while still letting the home owners have a very customizable connected home experience.”

Congratulations, Eaton! And meet the other Best Indoor Living Product finalists: 

Uven-R Acoustic Panel by Corruven Inc.

Vintage Ranch by Eldorado Stone

Phoenix by Heat & Glo by Hearth & Home Technologies 

With its patented twist-lock design, Aquor automatically turns the water on as soon as the connector is inserted. You can connect garden hoses instantly, making quick tasks like watering plants or washing the dog effortless. Then unplug and go—the hydrant self-drains automatically. No more dripping faucets or wasteful leaks.

“The biggest improvement the House Hydrant offers homeowners is incredible convenience, followed by reliability,” says Kamil Slusarski, Aquor Water Systems CEO. “It allows you to instantly plug in your garden hose, without having to thread it on every time. It can be mounted at waist-level -- no more bending over. And the best part is, it requires no maintenance for decades.” 

What sets the House Hydrant apart is its unique internal valve, which uses water pressure to seal a high-performance O-ring (instead of a traditional rubber washer and screw). This allows outlets to stay leak-free for many years longer than standard brass hose bibs.

Even better, no winterization is needed: for homeowners in cold areas, the hydrant provides seven times better freeze protection than brass, frost-free sillcocks.

The Hydrant’s marine-grade stainless steel endures zero wear—and contains zero lead. Bring your Aquor connector inside to easily prevent unsupervised water use or theft. And choose from multiple color options to match your home. No unsightly hose bibs protruding from your wall!

“We have some truly revolutionary products coming over the next couple years,” says Slusarski. “We are working closely with our builders, architects and plumbers on new product lines that will change the way people think about and use water around buildings and landscapes. Outdoor water fixtures shouldn't be ugly or hard to use. We're going to change that.”

Preferred Topics for 2019: Please give special attention to the "leading topics of interest" included in the RFP. These are the topics attendees tell us they most want to learn about in 2019—and they have shifted significantly over the last few years. Proposals that most closely align with our leading topics have the strongest chance of being selected.

New & Noteworthy for 2019:

We are only accepting proposals for our standard 60-minute Building Knowledge sessions through the RFP. We do offer additional types of educational programming at IBS and you’ll have the option to be considered for one of these in the event your proposal is not selected as a Building Knowledge session. 

The full roster of speakers for each session must be submitted at the time of proposal submission. Please begin reaching out to your speakers immediately to secure their commitment. 

Speaking opportunities are highly competitive—less than ¼ of proposals received are selected—so please review the Request for Proposals document carefully and take advantage of our Guide to Crafting Your Proposal to ensure your proposal has the best chance of being selected.

Submit a proposal: The deadline to submit proposals is May 4.

Visit nahb.org/speakatIBS to view the official RFP document which includes leading attendee topics of interest, attendee demographics, rules and guidelines for speaking and additional information for submitting a proposal.

Check out the education sessions presented in 2018 on BuildersShow.com. If you have any questions or would like to recommend a topic or speaker, please contact Kirby Simmering at [email protected]. 

They also come with built-in Amazon Alexa Voice Service—along with regulating temperature, you can ask your ecobee4 to order groceries or read the news from any room with a sensor.

“ecobee has been committed to delivering comfort to our customers’ homes since its inception,” says ecobee Trade Marketing Specialist Nicholas Kwon. “When we came out with the ecobee3 and Room Sensors™ back in September 2014, we knew our innovation would set a new standard for how thermostats should be serving homeowners.”

The Best of IBS judges agreed, noting, “There are other smart thermostats on the market, but we like the design of ecobee. The features are the kind of thing consumers want.”

The environment likes ecobee4 too. A “planet positive” company, “ecobee’s thermostats save homeowners up to 23% on heating and cooling costs by keeping energy use low when no one is home,” says Kwon. “Consequently, ecobee has saved 3 tera-watt hours (TWh) of energy to date,” says Kwon. “That’s equivalent to taking Pittsburgh off the grid for an entire year! We also prevented about 2.6 million tons of greenhouse gases, and that number grows every day.”

Building on ecobee4’s success, the company is next working on a new smart light switch that combines the homeowner’s schedule, the room’s occupancy and detected ambient light to determine when lights should turn on and off. It, too, will come with Alexa built in.

Congratulations, ecobee! And meet the Best Energy Efficient Product category runners-up:

Juno SlimForm™ Surface Mount Downlight by Acuity Brands 

AIREX PRO-SYSTEM KIT™ by Airex Manufacturing, Inc. 

Trane XR16 Low Profile Air Conditioner by Ingersoll Rand/Trane Brand 

MagVent MV-180 Dryer Vent Coupling by MagVent, LLC 

MXZ H2i® by Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating

This ultra-low NOx gas furnace features a variable-speed motor to maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home, using as little fuel as possible. Its iComfort® S30 ultra-smart thermostat compatibility allows consumers to adjust heating for energy savings based on the family’s routine.

But its most critical contribution is low emission levels, says Senior Heating Product Manager, Jill Murphy. “Decreasing emissions by 65% was a big breakthrough. It took several years of research, development and testing to get all the improvements to reach this milestone and keep the same great benefits you get with a Lennox Furnace.”

An energy rating of 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) means the SL280NV can significantly reduce heating costs compared to an older furnace. The furnace’s variable-speed blower and two-stage gas valve allow it to adjust its speed and airflow to maintain ideal temperature throughout the home. So even on cold mornings and chilly evenings, the home remains comfortable and energy-efficient.

Built for durability and reliability, the SL280NV is made with a heavy-duty steel cabinet for a long, trouble-free life.

But Lennox will continue searching for its breakthroughs, says Murphy. “Homes are getting smarter and technology is getting smarter. On our roadmap is how can we take this Ultra Low NOx technology and push efficiencies and diagnostics so the overall system is smarter and connected. Wherever this takes us you can be sure we will be leading with Innovation!”

All frames are precut all of the frames to the custom size that is required. “This is truly one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to upgrade the look of your bathroom and is designed to fit the exact needs of each individual,” says Guy Andrews, Precision Frameworks Sales Manager. 

The Best of IBS judges agreed, noting the frames are a “Great product, well-executed at an excellent price,” “Neat product,” ”Very useful,” “Great solution for all the retrofit plate mirrors out there!” and “Innovative!” 

The Easy Frame is made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and the finishes consist of laminated vinyl/foil wraps and a liquid compo that hard sets on the surface, allowing for intricate and ornate designs to be printed on to the molding. 

Extending its value even further, all Easy Frames are shipped disassembled, saving customers on shipping costs. They can put the frame together with a prepacked assembly kit. Easy Frame® is manufactured and fabricated here in the U.S. and ships out of Atlanta.Bottom of Form

This year’s Best of IBS Awards competition was fierce, with more than 300 entries in nine product categories. These entries were narrowed to 60 finalists, and awards were given to exhibitors with a product or line that shows the best combination of design, functionality and innovation, as well as its usefulness to consumers and/or home builders.

IBS Education On Demand Overview:

Access over 140 education sessions presented during IBS 2018

Scroll through sessions bytitle, track or speaker

View sessions you couldn’t attend live

Review sessions you attended to get a refresher on tips and techniques shared

How does IBS Education On Demand work?

Did you purchase a full registration to IBS 2018? If so, you already have access! A one-year subscription was included as part of your full registration.* Emails with instructions and a link to the 2018 IBS Education On Demand library were sent to all eligible registrants. If you are eligible and did not receive the email or are having difficulty accessing IBS Education On Demand, contact Jillian Lovejoy at 202-266-8610 or [email protected].

If you didn’t have a full registration to IBS 2018, you can purchase the whole streaming subscription or individual sessions.