International Builders’ Show Recap: Relationships, Brand Partners, and What Stood Out
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Every year, the International Builders’ Show brings something a little different to the building industry. New products. New conversations. New energy.
But this year felt more like a return to something simpler, and even more important.
A Different Kind of IBS
This trip looked a little different for me right out of the gate. It was shorter than usual, and it was my first time doing IBS in Orlando. Logistics weren’t exactly smooth. Getting around was harder than expected, traffic was intense, and the city felt less navigable than other IBS locations I’ve been to.
Because of that, my mindset shifted. Instead of treating this like an exploration trip: walking every aisle and exhibit floor, chasing every new product, it became more of a thank-you tour.
This was my chance to show up for the people and brands that already support me, The Curious Builder, and Mysa Hus. That shift changed everything about how I experienced the week.
Starting with Community
Before the show floor even really got going, Monday night set the tone.
The Contractor Coalition meetup brought together around 200 people from all over the country. It felt more like a family reunion than a networking event. People who genuinely want to see each other win gathering together.
You could feel it in the conversations and the way people showed up for each other. And when you start a week like that, it carries into everything else.
The Emser Stage
One of the highlights for me was being part of Emser’s “One Thing” panel.
I got to share the stage with an all-star group of people I respect a ton: Brad Leavitt, Katie Kath, Morgan Molitor, Adam Copeland, and Mike Weaver.
It felt more like a real conversation than a panel. And isn’t that always the goal?
More Than Booths
Though I didn’t spend as much time hunting for new brands this year, there’s one booth that I always have to check out: Rockwool.
They’ve created this experience where you walk into a space surrounded by their product… and everything just goes quiet. In the middle of a loud trade show, it’s dead silent. It’s one thing to talk about soundproofing, but it’s another to actually feel it.
Since we’re using Rockwool throughout Mysa Hus home building, I already believe in it, but that kind of physical experience always reinforces why it matters.
The Conversations That Matter
If you’ve been to IBS, you know how it goes.
A lot of quick conversations. A lot of handshakes. A lot of “we should catch up soon.”
And those are great, but they’re not where the real value happens. For me, the most meaningful conversations this year happened around a dinner table.
The Pentair dinner, in particular, stood out. It was a smaller group and slower pace which led to better questions. That’s where things shift from surface-level networking opportunities to real friendships.
You start talking about business, yes, but also life, priorities, challenges, and what people are actually building toward. That’s the stuff that lasts.
What Everyone’s Talking About
Even without walking every aisle, a few themes kept coming up over and over again:
AI – It’s everywhere, and it’s not slowing down
Labor – Still one of the biggest challenges in our industry
Wellness – Growing fast and getting more attention
Relationships – The constant that ties everything together
The first three matter. But the last one is what actually moves the needle. Because none of those things work without the right people around you.
Why Wellness Is Worth Watching
If there’s one area I’m paying close attention to, it’s wellness. You’re starting to see more brands lean into it.
Kohler had some really interesting cold tub setups, and we’re already incorporating that kind of thinking into Mysa Hus. But I think this is just the beginning. I’d love to see IBS take it even further, maybe even create a dedicated wellness section in the future.
Saunas. Cold plunges. Recovery spaces. Strength training. Homes that actually support how people want to feel, not just how they want things to look.
My IBS Experience
When I look back at the week, I wasn’t bouncing between random booths. I was with my people.
Contractor Coalition. The Curious Builder community. Mysa Hus partners. Those circles overlap more and more every year.
The International Builder Show starts to feel less like a massive trade show and more like running into your community over and over again in different places.
What I’m Bringing Home
At the end of it all, the biggest takeaway isn’t a product. It’s relationships.
Stronger ones with existing partners like Rockwool, ZIP System, Huber, and Pella. New ones, too, like spending more time with the Old Mill team out of Utah through a connection with Brad Robinson.
And deeper conversations with people I already knew, but got to know better.
That’s the real ROI of the International Builders’ Show. Not just who you meet. But who you keep building with after you leave.
Every IBS has something to offer. But the longer you do this, the more you realize It’s not about seeing everything, it’s about showing up for the right things. And more importantly? The right people.