Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/233313
IBS SHOWCASE continued been reduced from 90 to 60 minutes, yet attendees can expect to get in-depth, innovative and concise programs. Areas covered in these sessions include sales, marketing, design, business management, technology, high performance building and more. • 80+ New Speakers. There will be many new programs this year, as more than 80 new session speakers are being featured. • New Formats. This year, attendees will see a variety of session formats such as case studies, debates, demonstrations, individual speakers, lightning rounds, town halls and even talk show formats. • Spotlight Sessions. These sessions will feature leading industry experts and discuss emerging trends for the coming year. Among the speakers will be the vice president of community at Houzz, the fast-growing online platform that is changing the way consumers design, build and remodel their homes. • The Tech Hub. The hub will be equipped with advanced technology and will be fully wired so attendees can plug-in and participate in the sessions using laptops and mobile devices for a complete interactive experience. Tech-heavy topics such as social media, online business management tools and mobile marketing will be covered. • Expansion of Exhibitor Floor Forums. Back by popular demand, attendees don't have to leave the show floor for these educational opportunities. Exhibiting companies will offer NAHB-approved education sessions in their booths. These interactive forums will last between 20 and 60 minutes and qualify as continuing education (CE) for all those who hold NAHB professional designations. • High Performance Building Zone. The show will add a "technique demonstration stage" in 2014. This area will feature top building science experts leading a series of live, interactive construction demonstrations 14 showcasing the latest methods, tips and tricks used in high performance building. • More Master Sessions. The number of Master sessions offered has increased from three to five and have been restructured from full-day programs to half days. Attendees can still expect these sessions to dig deeper into specific industry topics, but this change allows them to take advantage of more IBS activities each day. • Lumber & Building Material Sessions. For the first time in recent history, IBS is offering content specific for building material distributors and suppliers. Sessions will cover hot topics such as supplier services and OSHA crane regulations. Grand Opening Headlining the IBS opening ceremonies is Gen. Stan McChrystal, a four-star general and the former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan and the former leader of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which oversees the military's most sensitive forces. A one-of-a-kind commander with a remarkable record of achievement, Gen. McChrystal is widely praised for creating a revolution in warfare that fused intelligence and operations. He is also known for developing and implementing the counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan and for creating a comprehensive counter-terrorism organization that revolutionized the way military agencies interact and operate. His leadership of JSOC is credited with the 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein and the 2006 location and killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq. He is also the author of the best-selling leadership book, My Share of the Task: A Memoir. Gen. McChrystal, a former Green Beret, is known for his candor, innovative leadership and going the distance. Few can speak about leadership, teamwork and international affairs with as much insight as he can. STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / IBS PREVIEW 2014