Sept. 16/23 2013; Volume 27/number 11
Washington—More than a dozen trade associations and industry groups have signed on as supporting organizations for Design & Construction Week, joining forces for what promises to be the largest residential construction exposition in the nation in 2014. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) will launch Design & Construction Week Feb. 4–6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center as the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) co-locate for the first time.
Supporting organization members will enjoy discounted registration for the event, while the groups’ leaders will be invited to participate in the Design & Construction Week roundtable to discuss trends in the U.S. housing market and exchange ideas with other industry notables.
“Homebuilders are part of a large, diverse supply chain that includes a variety of organizations representing all the professionals who plan, design, build and remodel America’s housing stock,” said NAHB chairman Rick Judson, a home builder and developer in Charlotte, N.C.
“By inviting our supporting organizations to be part of Design & Construction Week, we can take better advantage of this event to advance the professionalism of the entire industry through education, networking and product knowledge,” said NKBA CEO Bill Darcy.
While the shows will remain separate and distinct, all registrants will have access to the exhibits of both IBS and KBIS as well as the exhibits of a third show, the International Window Coverings Expo. Show attendees will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and explore emerging trends in the more than 100 educational sessions offered throughout IBS.
“Design & Construction Week offers manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to reach two very large audiences for the cost of exhibiting in one trade show,” Judson added. “That, combined with an improving housing market, is translating into these bigger exhibit space sales.”
Registration opens for IBS
Both IBS and NKBS opened their attendee registration process earlier this month and exhibit space for both shows continues to sell at a brisk pace.
NAHB expects more than 70,000 attendees, 1,500 exhibitors and 600,000-plus square feet of exhibits. This “mega event” will be the largest gathering of residential construction and design professionals.
During September, IBS registrants can take advantage of several discounts and incentives, including: a free expo pass for all NAHB members or $100 discount for NAHB members on early full conference registration, which includes access to 100-plus education sessions in addition to the expo floors of all three shows; a $50 expo pass for non-members (normally $100)—or save $100 off the early full registration fee of $475—and free spouse registration for NAHB members and nonmembers. Beginning Oct. 1, the price will jump to $200.
The NAHB International Builders’ Show is not open to the general public. Building industry professionals and their affiliates are invited to register by visiting the show’s website at buildersshow.com.
Another of the many draws of IBS is The New American Home (TNAH) 2014, a one-of-a-kind green show home that is being built in a nearby neighborhood and will be open to attendees to tour during IBS. The state-of-the-art home incorporates builders’ best practices in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, safety, convenience and aesthetics.
Supporting organizations announced so far include: Accessible Home Improvement of America (AHIA), Air Conditioning Contractors of America (AC-CA), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), American Sup-ply Association (ASA), Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), CTIA-The Wireless Association (CTIA), International Code Council (ICC), National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA), National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA), National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA), The Presidents Council, Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA), and Wood Products Manufacturers Association (WP-MA).