BLB Works (and Plays) at the 2025 International Builders’ Show
To close out February, a handful of our team traded their work boots for walking shoes to attend the 2025 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, Nevada! Our owner + chief visionary, estimator, project managers, and two lead carpenters spent a busy week exploring hundreds of trade booths and vignettes, attending multiple educational courses daily, and gaining hands-on knowledge and experience at tool and product demos. To recap the incredible week, our project manager, Shelby, kept a daily log of all the happenings inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS)—the premier, once-a-year event that connects, educates and improves the residential construction industry—is a hub for new product launches, construction demos, industry thought leader sessions, workshops, panel discussions…and more.
National Association of Home Builders
Day 1: Hello Las Vegas!
We started the day bright and early on Monday, February 24th, jumping in the cars around 4 a.m. to make our 7 a.m. flight into Vegas. Logan was teeming with excited builders, all eager to hop on a plane to warm and sunny Nevada. Once we landed, our crew reveled in the 70-degree weather, hailed a few cabs, and made our way to the hotel, the epicenter of IBS.
While our first day was relatively slow, with us checking into our hotel and exploring the Westgate and surrounding restaurants, we closed the day (albeit rather early by Vegas standards) with some quality team bonding at the gourmet, Asian-influenced restaurant CATCH. After toasting BLB’s continued success and indulging in some incredible seafood and steak, we hit the hay, ready to kick off IBS the following day.
Day 2: Kickin’ off IBS
The crew started our day early on Tuesday, primarily to get good seats for the IBS Opening Ceremonies, featuring William Close & The Earth Harp Collective and comedian David Spade. After a morning full of excitement and laughs, our crew split up to take on various booths and knowledge throughout the LVCC.
We started inside, exploring new apps, software, and materials designed to revolutionize the building industry. Part of our crew took on the outdoor exhibits, which included multiple tiny homes, ADUs, and luxury exterior products. We even snagged a few mimosas—it was Vegas, after all. The other half of our crew continued indoors with ongoing live and interactive product and material demos, including job site safety demos featuring a hot dog finger on a stopsaw.
As a female professional, one of the highlights for me was attending the NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB) events. Allison and I attended a panel of several successful females who’ve made a name for themselves in a male-dominated industry, who humbly shared their stories and offered advice to those looking to break glass ceilings.
Much like Day 1, we ended the day with team bonding – this time at a Cirque de Soleil show at Treasure Island.
Day 3: The New American Home
Another early rise for the crew—this time, it was to get in line to secure tickets to the coveted and exclusive New American Home tour. The New American Home (TNAH) 2025 is a luxury, multi-million dollar new build in the desert overlooking Las Vegas. Sprawling 9,423 sq. ft., the inside and outside of TNAH feature state-of-the-art products, finishes, fixtures, and equipment.
Our crew was greeted by the meticulous hardscaping and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and doors at the TNAH facade. Inside, guests enter the foyer, which includes a sneak peek at the custom wine storage with a glass floor, a highly crafted living room, and a chef’s kitchen. Throughout the tour, our team immersed themselves in luxury, marveling at the in-law/guest casita, which featured an expansive en-suite bathroom plus access to TNAH’s private backyard. Moving inside from the backyard through floor-to-ceiling glass doors that seamlessly integrated the outdoors and indoors, we explored the well-equipped kitchen, pantry, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Other features included a separate entertainment space/game room for guests and a rare Nevada basement, which housed the residence’s custom wine storage of over a thousand bottles.
After TNAH, we quickly cleaned up and made our way to another delicious dinner filled with team bonding and many laughs.
Day 4: Closing Time
On our final education day, the crew continued our adventures through booths and product displays, including visits to James Martin Vanities, Consentino, and Fabuwood. Before attending PWB’s Luncheon, Allison and I were lucky enough to compete in a hammering contest. Safe to say: we’ll stick to the office!
While the ladies attended a luncheon where they heard from author, trailblazer, CEO, and general contractor Tammie Ross, author of Breaking Ground, Breaking Glass Ceilings: A Guide to Finding Success in Male-Dominated Industries, the gentlemen were on a mission to meet the Perkins Brothers. It was a success! Once classes were over and with the afternoon free, we took to the Strip to explore shops, sites, and eateries.
For our last night, our crew decided to kick back, relax, and hit some golf balls at Top Golf Las Vegas to round up an incredibly successful and busy week.
To conclude, the trip far exceeded expectations, especially as someone who has never been to Las Vegas. The team walked away with a wealth of new knowledge and pockets full of new connections, plus solidifying internal relationships and creating new memories. On behalf of the entire team lucky enough to attend IBS, I would like to thank my boss, Ben Becker, for providing such opportunities to his employees and always encouraging us to do better and be better – while still having some fun. Thanks, Ben – and thank you, NAHB, for an incredible Builders Show!
