LAS VEGAS- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Manufacturers’ Exhibition (IBS) saw its highest attendance in 15 years in 2024, with more than 76,000 construction professionals visiting the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) from February 27 to 29.
More than 1,800 companies (over 500 more than in 2023) exhibited construction products and technologies at IBS in 2024, which, at over 678,000 net square feet, was 12% larger than its 2023 counterpart.
NAHB cites three reasons for the growth: growing optimism among industry professionals, more targeted and thematic marketing content on a more consistent basis, and organizational improvements based on a post-2023 show attendee survey.
Improved organization
In 2024, NAHB organized the IBS show for the first time into categories, including Building Materials, Global Products, and Interior Finishes & Home Improvement. According to Geoff Cassidy, NAHB’s chief revenue officer, IBS 2024 was divided “to make it easier for attendees to navigate the show floor, save time, and find the products and services they were looking for.”
NAHB also added an information desk and more staff to guide attendees on each floor, improving efficiency. Additionally, they updated the show’s educational programming to reflect the increased interest.
“IBS 2023 Education experienced unprecedented demand, resulting in attendees being turned away at the door for multiple sessions in each primetime block,” Cassidy said. “During the 2024 planning process, we made several deliberate adjustments to accommodate more attendees and improve their overall enhanced registration experience.”
These changes included adjusting space utilization to expand and add time slots for training sessions, which allowed NAHB to offer 20% more unique sessions than in 2023. They also used historical data and real-time application activity to introduce 20 Encore (repeat) sessions.
“For comparison, we typically have three to six Encores,” Cassidy shared.
Related. Informa Markets Engineering launches sustainable manufacturing exhibition
Acknowledgments to NAHB Members
NAHB also introduced a new members-only retreat space with donuts and coffee, happy hours and more in 2024.
“We wanted to recognize members and their contributions to helping us create a great show year after year… (and) we also wanted non-member attendees to be aware of NAHB and the benefits they can receive,” Cassidy said.
Design and Construction Week
The NAHB and the National Kitchen and Bath Association announced that they are extending the co-location of IBS and the Kitchen and Bathroom Industry Showdouble Design and Construction Week (DCW), until 2030, and holding DCW in Las Vegas from 2027 until at least 2030.
“Looking at the projected growth trajectory for DCW as well as the past performance of both shows in Las Vegas and other cities… Las Vegas offered the best combination of exhibit/meeting space availability, bedroom inventory, transportation infrastructure, destination attractiveness and climate,” Cassidy said.
The next DCW will take place in Las Vegas from February 25-27, 2025.
Contact Geoff Cassidy at gcassidy@nahb.org.
Photo credit: Oscar Einzig Photography