Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/620205
12 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / PEOPLE IN THE KNOW 2015 | by Howard Shingle | The International Builders' Show offers nearly boundless opportunities. More than 1,300 suppliers to the homebuilding industry and 50,000 visitors from more than 100 countries are expected at the 2016 International Builders' Show (IBS) January 19 to 21. As the largest annual light construction trade exhibit, conference and education outlet, IBS producers purport to bring the homebuilding universe to the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Opportunities for those attending seem nearly boundless. As part of Design & Construction Week, visitors to the 2016 IBS gain access to three additional exhibit floors: the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) and The International Surface Event (TISE). IBS brings together the homebuilding industry's important global manufacturers and suppliers and showcases the latest products, materials and technologies involved in all types of buildings—including wood, concrete, stone and brick. These exhibits are displayed over more than 400,000 net square feet of space. Each of the exhibitors will showcase the latest and most in-demand products and services. For 2016, much of the show's content outside the exhibit hall also will be new. More than 85 percent of the IBS education sessions are original programming cluing into the latest trends and topics, The Innovation Hub, for example, will introduce advances in technology, building materials and even financing. A new educational track has been added devoted to building science, performance and systems. Nearly 40 percent of speakers at the 2016 show are new to IBS, offering unique perspectives and experiences. Knowledge The 2016 show features 120-plus educational sessions offered in eight tracks: 55-plus housing; building science, per- formance and systems; business management and operations; custom building and remodeling; design, land development and community planning; financing strategies, market forecasts and legal; multi-family; and sales, marketing and customer focus. The sessions are taught by renowned building industry experts from across the country. The topics range from sales and Exploring the Building Universe More than 1,300 suppliers and 50,000 visitors are expected at the 2016 IBS.