Editor’s note: Welcome to ongoing coverage of the International Builders’ Show from Marvin Windows and Doors. Check here regularly throughout the week for news, trends, products, interviews and photos from the floor of the year’s largest gathering in the homebuilding industry.
We’re kicking off our ongoing coverage of the 2010 IBS with some comments from Mark Pursell, senior VP/exhibitions for the National Association of Home Builders.
This year’s IBS is geared to helping NAHB members and attendees maintain and grow their businesses in difficult times, Pursell said. And members are responding, with attendance at this year’s show expected to be on par with last year’s.
“We’re real excited about the show,” he said. “We know it’s been a tough couple of years for the industry. But we’re looking forward to the future and think we’re at bottom.
“We’ll have nearly 1,100 exhibitors with all the greatest products. We’re going to have around 175 educational seminars,” Pursell added. “And beyond that, we’ve got hundreds of networking events for every possible segment of the construction industry.”
Pursell encouraged attendees to spend some time at http://www.buildersshow.com and get familiar with the online Show Planner tool.
“You can search for meetings on any topic and print out a custom personalized schedule,” he said. “This is a big event, so it warrants spending a little time up front searching for meetings and events and doing some planning.
“Spending half an hour with the online tool will make your time in Vegas much more productive and stress-free.”
Tuesday’s 9 a.m. opening ceremony features humorist Dave Barry, and attendees at Wednesday night’s Spike Club event at the Hard Rock Hotel will be entertained by Styx.
Wednesday at the show is Green Day, with sponsors including Marvin Windows and Doors. Look for green-themed events throughout the day – and also look for NAHB staff members on the show floor in green polo shirts.
“For a lot of companies — whether they’re builders, remodelers, suppliers or service providers – right now it’s all about how to best position themselves for a recovery,” Pursell said. “So business management and survival will continue to be front and center for everybody involved in the industry, and we’re here to help.”
