Tag Archives: international builders show

The 2010 National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) International Builders Show (IBS) gets underway today in Las Vegas, Nevada. The expected attendance is around 55,000, nearly half the number that attended the IBS when it was held in Orlando just a few years ago.

This is a reflection of the state of the U.S. housing industry, to be sure, but the good news is that the fall off is almost entirely in the exhibitor category. The number of exhibitors, and the people they have sent to the Show, is off by some 40 percent, but the number of builders has actually held steady from last year.

Still, with over a half million square feet of exhibits, the annual IBS remains the largest light construction trade show in the world. A lot of corporations and organizations have been loyal exhibitors, including the American Gas Association, and the NAHB is expressing its gratitude.

At the Executive Board Meeting held on Saturday, a dozen exhibitors were recognized by name as they have exhibited continuously for over 50 years. The AGA was recognized for its record of 63 straight years, behind only the Kohler Company, the Masonite Corporation and GE, which have each exhibited for 65 years. And these long time exhibitors will be again be recognized on Thursday at the full NAHB Board of Directors Meeting attended by more than 5,000 people.

A large variety of gas equipment and appliances are on display at the IBS, not only in the AGA exhibit but also throughout the convention center in the exhibits of manufacturers of gas products. They point out the tremendous economic, environmental and performance benefits of using natural gas directly in the home. And not just in the home. The giant City Center Complex, a city within a city, just opened in Las Vegas and it is one heck of a natural gas direct use success story! It truly is the talk of the town and I will explain why in my next post.

As the International Builders Show draws to a close here in Vegas, the mood is somewhat somber with glimmers of hope for a turnaround.  As this article from the Wall Street Journal, reported direct from the Las Vegas Convention Center, explains “Single-family-housing starts, which fell 40% to 617,000 in 2007, are expected to drop to about 441,000 this year — the lowest since records have been kept…  That would be a nearly 75% drop from the industry’s highwater mark of 1.7 million single-family starts in 2005.”  These figures were released by NAHB at the show.

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.  Green was the name of the game.  This piece by the Associated Press tells the greens story that was displayed at the show.  And Bobvila.com did a little blurb on our fellow booth mates from the Council for Responsible Energy.

Our booth at the International Builders Show.

Just as the show was getting ready to close for the evening, the AGA booth was visited by NAHB board member Bob Nielson. He visited with Jeff Shaw from Southwest Gas, AGA staff and had a look at all the great products displayed in the American Gas Industry booth.  AGA staff look forward to another great Homebuilders Show in Las Vegas next year!

Tom Moskitis, AGA Managing Director, Jeff Shaw, CEO, Southwest Gas Corporation, and Bob Nielson, second vice chairman, board member, NAHB.

The 2009 New American Home, the official showcase home of the International Builders Show, features innovative design and cutting edge natural gas technology, providing home builders with an outstanding example for producing more energy efficient homes without sacrificing style. The 8816 square foot contemporary home is a near net zero energy home that includes active (photovoltaic cells) and passive (orientation and shading) solar design and a revolutionary natural gas heating and cooling system. It also features tankless gas water heaters and numerous indoor and outdoor gas appliances. The AISIN gas heat pump is the most efficient HVAC system on the planet. Energy savings on the cooling side are estimated to be 75%, with heating savings estimated to be 67%. The house achieves 76% whole house energy savings when compared to the Building America benchmark and achieves a Five Star-Plus HERS rating of 57. This is before factoring in the installation of a 12,000+ khz solar panel system striving for a net-zero level of electrical consumption. The 2009 New American Home is proof positive that the direct use of natural gas is a winning solution to our energy efficiency and environmental challenges. Here are some pictures we took during our tour.

The Gas Industry Exhibit (N2617) at the 2009 International Builders Show (IBS), January 20-23 in Las Vegas, will feature a wide variety of gas appliances and equipment that provide significant green and efficiency options for home builders. High efficiency gas tankless and solar/gas water heaters, furnaces, boilers and an array of gas outdoor and hearth products will be on display.

And, being introduced for the first time in the U.S. market, the new AISIN Gas Heat Pump will be in operation in the exhibit. This exciting new technology represents the highest efficiency HVAC system on the planet and is a tremendously green option for builders. The AISIN can use either natural gas or propane, and is so quiet that you have to actually place your hand on the unit and feel its vibration to know that it is running. If you are going to the IBS, you do not want to miss this new product.

If you know anyone who is going to IBS, especially builders, tell them to stop by booth N2617, the American Gas Industry Showroom. They, and you, will not be disappointed.