Welcome to your go-to building industry trade show resource! From large-scale programs like International Builders’ Show to regionally focused showcases like Seattle Home & Garden Show, we’ve got all the information you need on the industry’s best events. Whether you’re looking to network, discover the latest innovations, or develop new skills, we guarantee you’ll find the perfect show on this list.
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International Builders’ Show
| Every year the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association draw a giant crowd to the Las Vegas Convention Center for “Design & Construction Week,” which includes the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. Total attendance in 2024 was well over 100,000 people. For its part, IBS is the largest building industry event in the U.S. and the second largest globally. Nearly all major tool and material companies are there, from the U.S. and abroad. In 2024, 34 countries participated, with international exhibitors representing 697 out of over 1800 total exhibitors. NAHB holds annual meetings and does a lot of training at the show, but you don’t have to be a member to get a lot out of this event. With continuous demonstrations throughout the event, the “Construction and Performance Zone” stage has turned into a great place for hands-on builders to learn about everything from trim carpentry to dehumidification. This is a show you should not miss to keep up with the latest trends and products, and for classes, demonstrations, and networking with professionals worldwide. | ⊕ When and Where? Usually late February in Las Vegas
⊕ How Much? About $200 for a show floor pass and $800 with education sessions ⊕ Why Go? More classes, demonstrations, exhibitors, and attendees than any other event ⊕ Who Should Go? Everyone. It’s a must-go if you only go to one show. ⊕ Note: Getting from the hotel to the convention center can be slow, and the crowds can become oppressive. |
Greenbuild
| Greenbuild is dedicated to sustainability in the built environment, including homes, commercial and educational buildings, and more. It is where you can spend four days diving into programs like LEED for Homes and passive building and take classes on community-scale solutions to housing, resilience and decarbonization in building, and nature-based climate adaptation techniques (old-timey green stuff). Greenbuild has attracted a who’s who of speakers, including Barack Obama, Amal Clooney, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Jane Fonda. This year, the lineup includes Ali Zaidi, national climate advisor and director of the White House Climate Policy Office, New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, host of the podcast How to Save a Planet. This is a prestigious show with over 850 exhibitors and an average attendance of 23,000. | ⊕ When and Where? Various cities around the country, usually in the fall.
⊕ How Much? Around $600 for an expo pass and $1300 for the entire conference. ⊕ Why Go? To understand how our industry can become a more positive environmental influence. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone interested in the future of our planet. ⊕ Note: This is not the show to attend for the latest in designer fixtures and luxury appliances. |
Housing Innovation Showcase
| Since 2019, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has hosted a free annual exhibit of housing technology at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Exhibitors are forbidden from promoting commercial interests, so the focus is entirely educational. Some of the more extensive exhibits are from government entities, including the EPA, the DOE, and FEMA. Of course, HUD also has a significant presence, including obligatory manufactured housing models. The Architectural Institute of America (AIA) holds a parallel series of talks at its headquarters a few blocks away. If you come to Washington, D.C., it pays to drop by the National Building Museum while you’re there. | ⊕ When and Where? Spring in Washington, D.C.
⊕ How Much? Attendance is complimentary. ⊕ Why Go? The event highlights innovative approaches to affordable housing, offering insights into how to tackle one of the most pressing issues in the housing industry today. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone interested in seeing the latest research and development in housing technology. ⊕ Note: This is an outdoor exhibit subject to weather conditions. |
National Home Performance Conference
| This is a national trade show that you’ll find in different cities around the country depending on the year. While most national events focus on new construction and major remodeling, this one focuses specifically on weatherization work—evaluating and improving existing houses to make them more energy efficient. Old-timers may remember it under its previous name, Affordable Comfort. In the show floor area, you’ll find manufacturers of blower doors, ERVs, and other equipment specific to energy-retrofit work. And there are plenty of educational sessions where you can learn from some of the best in the weatherization business. | ⊕ When and Where? Spring in various cities depending on the year.
⊕ How Much? About $1200 for a show floor pass, but there are early-bird specials. ⊕ Why Go? To learn about high-performance energy retrofits. ⊕ Who Should Go? It’s a must-go if you are an energy rater or remodeling contractor interested in energy and indoor air quality improvements. ⊕ Note: It’s a pricey show geared to the professional. |
World of Concrete
| This annual international conference is packed with live demos, in-depth seminars, certification training, and a massive exhibit floor; it’s one of the most dynamic construction conferences in the world. Learn about stamped concrete, foundation construction, concrete countertops, masonry repair, heavy equipment operation, geopolymers, chemical admixtures, limestone cement—and the list goes on for five pages of programming. | ⊕ When and Where? Winter in Las Vegas.
⊕ How Much? A little over $100 for exhibits only; up to $300 for seminars. ⊕ Why Go? Discover tools and materials, learn, and see some colossal equipment. ⊕ Who Should Go? Contractors and subcontractors who work with concrete and masonry or designers and builders who want to broaden their knowledge in this area of construction. ⊕ Note: Unless you come for the training, the expo-only ticket is the one to get. |
Coverings
| With over 1000 exhibitors from 40 countries, Coverings (“The Global Tile & Stone Experience”) is North America’s main ceramic tile and natural stone conference. Attendees can immerse themselves in various workshops and roundtables, witness live demonstrations, and attend lectures. Highlighted sessions include titles such as “Building Globally, Designing Locally: How Materiality Empowers Spirit of Place” and “Life on the Edge: Profiles as Professional Transitions, Edge Protection, and Finishes,” a poetic spin on something very prosaic. | ⊕ When and Where? Spring in Las Vegas; Orlando, Fla.; or another convention-friendly city.
⊕ How Much? Attendance is complimentary. ⊕ Why Go? Tile and stone specification are often limited to the local market. This show will allow you to become a trend leader in your area by sourcing products worldwide. ⊕ Who Should Go? Contractors and subcontractors who work with tile and stone. ⊕ Note: Despite the limited scope, this is a huge show, so bring comfortable shoes. |
RoofCON
| RoofCON is billed as the number-one roofing and solar community conference. Beyond the 175 exhibitors showcasing their products and services, this show intensely focuses on training for tradespeople in this subcategory of the building industry. This event should not be missed if you’re a roofer or in the rooftop solar business because it’s the only event devoted to your industry, and it is where you’ll find presentations from the best in the business and the latest in innovative tools and materials. | ⊕ When and Where? Fall, usually in Orlando, Fla.
⊕ How Much? Complimentary for expo-only admission; general admission is around $900. ⊕ Why Go? Learn the latest best practices and find the newest innovations in roofs and solar. ⊕ Who Should Go? Roofing and solar professionals. ⊕ Note: Unless you come for the training, the expo-only ticket is the one to get. |
Build Show LIVE
| The inaugural Build Show LIVE event recently took place in Austin, Tex., and the 2025 event will be held in Dallas, so we have this listed as a regional show, though it is sure to attract building pros from around the country given founder Matt Risinger’s popularity. Dedicated to educating builders and remodelers on high-performance, sustainable, healthy homes, Build Show LIVE features a diverse lineup of presenters, including architects, plumbers, drywallers, electricians, and energy raters. The expo hall hosted about 100 exhibitors last year. Build Show LIVE is where you’ll find some of today’s most well-known names from the building corners of social media. It’s sure to be a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry and stay at the forefront of building science innovations. | ⊕ When and Where? Fall in Texas.
⊕ How Much? About $300 for expo and education; $1200 for VIP education. ⊕ Why Go? Looks to be an innovative take on a hands-on event like JLC Live. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone involved in real estate, home improvement, and new construction, and builders looking to move from conventional to high-performance construction. ⊕ Note: Bring a notebook. The only danger at this show is information overload. You’re sure to learn a lot. |
JLC Live
| The Journal of Light Construction started JLC Live with the same technical focus as the magazine. In the past the event was held in multiple cities each year, but it has since become a Northeast event, held in Rhode Island. Here you’ll find a new generation of presenters including Aaron Butt, Ben Bogie, and Ross Trethewey alongside veterans like Gary Striegler, Myron Ferguson, and Mike Sloggatt, all offering tool-in-hand demonstrations and workshops. These clinics are at the event’s core. They focus on specific construction skills, with previous topics such as “Understanding Unequal Roof Pitches” and “Red Flag Code Violations.” Some educational sessions are specific to licensing requirements in the New England area. Many sessions are taught in Spanish, which is much-needed in our industry. | ⊕ When and Where? Early spring in Providence, R.I.
⊕ How Much? Attendance is complimentary. ⊕ Why Go? This is one of the best learning events for tradespeople. ⊕ Who Should Go? Hands-on home builders and remodelers. ⊕ Note: It’s not the place to get inspiration for choosing finishes, but rather how to install those finishes. |
Sunbelt Builders Show
| The Texas Association of Builders organizes the Sunbelt Builders Show, which focuses on builders, remodelers, and subcontractors growing their businesses. The show brings in 200-plus manufacturers and suppliers to showcase their new products and technologies. It’s the largest show in Texas to date, and features products for southern living. The educational sessions focus on business development, such as sales, marketing, and project management. Various people from the host city and surrounding rural areas attend, including multifamily builders and architects. The association sponsors social, charity fundraisers at the event, and awards for work done by its members. | ⊕ When and Where? Summer in Fort Worth, Tex.
⊕ How Much? $150 ⊕ Why Go? If you build in Texas or Oklahoma, this is the largest close-to-home event. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone in construction, remodeling, or real estate. This is not a show geared toward homeowners. ⊕ Note: If you must travel, consider attending one of the national shows, since Texas does not have highly specific climate or design requirements. |
Pacific Coast Builders Conference
| Organized by the California Building Industry Association and the Leading Builders of America, PCBC addresses the West Coast’s unique challenges, like wildfire and earthquake resilience. The first day features speakers from outside home building, such as tech entrepreneurs, psychologists, and symphony conductors, offering their takes on modern living. The second day involves thought leaders from within the building industry. This year, personal development gurus Krista and Phil Franks conducted a session on boosting performance by maximizing “return on intention,” while industry leaders like architect Sam Rashkin outlined cost-reduction paths to energy efficiency through solar and battery storage at scale across large developments. This is a West Coast conference in both spirit and substance. | ⊕ When and Where? Late spring, usually in San Francisco or Anaheim, Calif.
⊕ How Much? The exhibit floor pass is under $100, and the full conference is under $2000. ⊕ Why Go? If you are a West Coast builder, this is the only show you must attend. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone in construction, remodeling, or real estate—this is a pertinent conference for the West focused on West Coast issues. ⊕ Note: Many of the speakers are from national home-building firms. According to one attendee, some speakers are there to impress potential clients, and the presentations can feel self-serving. |
Southeast Building Conference
| The SEBC is the largest regional trade show for the building and construction industry in the southeastern United States. The SEBC boasts an exhibit hall where over 300 manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers display their latest offerings. Hosted by the Florida Home Builders Association, the event includes a VIP, appointment-style segment for builders to interact with vendors in a semi-private setting. Classes cover highly technical building methods, with topics such as “Lateral Load Path Basics: Tracing a Wind Load Through a Wood-Frame Structure,” and regionally focused design topics, such as “Residential Design Standards and Local Building Code Amendments.” This combination of localized products, technical education, and networking opportunities makes the SEBC an essential event for professional builders in the southeastern United States. | ⊕ When and Where? Usually early summer in central Florida.
⊕ How Much? It’s affordable. The expo pass is only $75 and the complete conference is under $200. ⊕ Why Go? The exhibit hall includes a wide range of suppliers and vendors who provide products and services specifically suited to the climate needs of the southeastern coastal market. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone building or remodeling in the region will find the exhibit hall relevant, while the classes focus intensely on regional challenges. ⊕ Note: Some attendees might find the conference strongly promotes vendors’ products and services. While this can be beneficial, it might detract from the educational content for those looking for more in-depth technical or theoretical knowledge without a product tie-in. |
Better Building by Design
| Vermont considers saved energy comparable to energy produced, so the state set up an energy efficiency department as a utility company. Instead of building power plants, Efficiency Vermont helps the state save energy (and money) through weatherization programs, rebates, and an annual conference. The 2025 conference theme is “2030 on the Horizon: Assessing Vermont’s Vision Versus Reality.” Vermont has two ambitious goals with 2030 deadlines: make all new construction net-zero and reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 40% below 1990 levels. The conference focuses on achieving these goals by introducing builders to the latest techniques and technologies in building performance, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. The conference includes an exposition of beta technologies, tours, awards, and workshops such as “Cost: No Obstacle to Sustainability—Believe It” and “The Real World of Residential Electrification: A Case Study.” | ⊕ When and Where? Spring in Burlington, Vt.
⊕ How Much? Attendance is complimentary. ⊕ Why Go? You will enjoy an exposition hall devoted to energy-saving products and services and learn much from the plenaries, panel discussions, and workshops. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone who wants to save money by reducing energy and builders who want to learn new ways to improve their construction methods and customer satisfaction. ⊕ Note: The conference primarily addresses energy efficiency and indoor air quality rather than luxury home fixtures and finishes. |
Build Expo
| Build Expo is a local show with a national footprint. The event promoter has hosted shows in over 40 major markets across the southern states from Atlanta to Austin, Tampa to LA. Classes focus on business development topics, such as “Tips and Tricks in Cost Estimating,” but also include presentations by organizations like the APA on “Lateral Load Path Basics.” As with all events, unpaid speakers always have something to sell, but they can also provide great information. The multistate footprint makes it a desirable forum for product manufacturers, so the expo offers a combination of national and local products and service providers. | ⊕ When and Where? Multiple dates and locations; visit BuildExpoUSA.com.
⊕ How Much? Attendance is complimentary. ⊕ Why Go? If you work in one of the southern cities where Build Expo holds an event, this may be your region’s biggest and most diverse trade show. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone in construction, remodeling, or real estate. ⊕ Note: This is not a show geared toward homeowners. |
Building Science Symposium
| The symposium is a two-day conference hosted at breweries in various cities each year. This event does have a handful of exhibitors, but it’s mostly about education with presentations from building professionals and building scientists like Steve Baczek, John Straube, Jake Bruton, Joe Lstiburek, and Ben Bogie. Hour-long sessions cover topics like understanding rainscreens and the four control layers. Each day concludes with a roundtable discussion and a happy hour. Though the topics have broad application, the opportunity to engage with the speakers means you can get your local questions answered. | ⊕ When and Where? Cities and dates change each year. Visit bsandbeerkc.org.
⊕ How Much? $120 ⊕ Why Go? Learn from leading building scientists and enhance your understanding of crucial building-science topics. ⊕ Who Should Go? Builders who seek to understand the “why” behind the methods rather than just following traditional practices. ⊕ Note: This is an intimate, classroom-style conference held at breweries. Drink responsibly. |
New York Build Expo
| This city-sponsored design and construction event is more extensive than many local events, with over 400 exhibitors and 500 speakers providing 15 learning “tracks” with AIA- and CES-accredited workshops. And it’s fun—you’ll run into jugglers, crooners, and DJs on the exhibit floor. Learning tracks include the Future of Construction, Architecture & Design, Digital Construction, Sustainability, and Government (policy). The speakers are of the highest level, such as Carlos Ortiz, the director of the New York City Department of Design and Construction, and Mark Gander, the program director at Parsons School of Design. Although focused on NYC, it’s a show worth attending for anyone who can get there. | ⊕ When and Where? Late winter, Javits Center, New York City.
⊕ How Much? Attendance is complimentary. ⊕ Why Go? You will enjoy the vast expo hall and can dive deep into education with the various panel discussions and workshops. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone in construction, remodeling, or real estate. ⊕ Note: The sheer volume of information, products, and sessions can be overwhelming and make it hard to focus on specific interests or goals, so get organized by selecting classes and exhibitors to visit before you go. |
Seattle Home & Garden Show
| Established in 1939, this is one of the longest-running shows in the nation. The McDonald family, initially involved in vaudeville during the Roaring ’20s, was commissioned by FDR to produce “back to work” events. The family collaborated with local builders to produce the first show at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. The grand opening, attended by Eleanor Roosevelt and William Randolph Hearst, featured the theme “Things look fine for ‘39.” Next year’s lineup includes 32 classes, covering topics such as “Top Ten Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen,” “Preparing Your Home to Survive a Large NW Earthquake,” and “10 Ways to Be a World-Class Client.” | ⊕ When and Where? Winter in Seattle.
⊕ How Much? $15 for adults with discounted tickets for juniors, seniors, and military. ⊕ Why Go? To be inspired by expert-led seminars and home improvement exhibits and meet local contractors and suppliers. ⊕ Who Should Go? Anyone involved in real estate, home improvement, and new construction, and builders looking to assess the competition. ⊕ Note: Homeowners may find some presentations too technical and geared toward building professionally. |
