The winter months are tradeshow season, and this year is no exception. There are more than a half-dozen major exhibitions relevant to the waterproofing industry, and many contractors attend at least one. 

Seasoned veterans, industry rookies, and everyone in between can improve their effectiveness at a tradeshow by knowing what to expect, making a clear list of priorities, and using their time efficiently.

International Builders’ Show (IBS)

The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builders’ Show is staying in Las Vegas for 2020,  running January 20-23, 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

This show is geared toward high-end custom homes and large tract residential developers, and is popular with basement waterproofers and remodelers. It is expected to attract nearly 70,000 attendees. Retired basketball legend Magic Johnson will open the event on Tuesday.

More than 1,400 exhibitors representing all aspects of residential and multifamily construction will be packed into the exhibit hall, including more than 50 waterproofing companies, as well as others specializing in foundation and crack repair, deck waterproofing, and basement egress windows. 

Exhibitors that are also advertisers in this magazine include: 
Form-A-Drain SU 4332
ISI Building Products C 9143
MFM Bldg. Products C 6848

Other waterproofing exhibitors include Ames Building Products, Carlisle Construction Materials, Dörken, Global Decking Systems, MultiCoat, Henry, Protecto-Wrap, Tamko, and Tremco. A complete listing of exhibitors can be found on the show website http://buildersshow.com. 

The show also includes wide variety of education sessions, as well as tours of two show homes:  The New American Home, and The New American Remodel. One recent addition to the show is IBS Live.  Billed as “part education, part entertainment,” it’s a theater area set up within the exhibit hall hosting presentations and conversations that cover the future of housing and the products, people and processes that disrupt the industry.

IBS 2021 will be held in Orlando, Florida, which will run Feb 9-11, 2021.  The show will stay in Orlando for 2022, before returning to Las Vegas in 2023.

World of Concrete Preview

World of Concrete 2020 will run Feb. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).  The concrete industry trade show is expected to draw about 65,000 attendees and 1,500 exhibits.  Last year’s show was the biggest in more than 10 years.  

Most of the major waterproofing companies involved with sealing and coating concrete will be exhibiting, along with numerous crack repair, decking, and roofing companies. Most of these booths are located in the South Hall, including this magazine, located at S10801.   The sidebar on p.12 offers a quick overview of where these companies are exhibiting.  Companies in boldface are advertisers in this issue. They represent every imaginable category of waterproofing: peel-and-stick membranes, dimple drain sheets, spray-applied coatings, crystalline admixtures, sump pumps and so on.  

The exhibit hall will be open Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m.-noon.

The Basement Health Association is a co-sponsor of World of Concrete, and is hosting member receptions Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at Bally’s. BHA’s winter meeting will be held Tuesday Jan. 22 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the South Hall, suite 211 (upstairs). Lunch will be provided.  Topics include understanding structural cracks, repairs to structural damage, comparing foundation waterproofing methods, and more.  BHA certification testing is Wednesday Feb. 5 from 9-11 a.m. followed by a membership luncheon at Lawry’s Steak House from 11:30-1:00 p.m. 

Register for these events at www.basementhealth.org or stop by the BHA booth in the South Hall Booth S11107.

For more information about World of Concrete 2020, visit www.worldofconcrete.com. 

International Roofing Expo

For the waterproofing industry, the trade show season comes to a close with the International Roofing Expo (IRE), taking place Feb. 4-6, 2020, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. IRE covers all segments of the roofing industry, and is billed as “the must-attend event for commercial and residential roofing professionals.”

Last year’s show in Nashville was the largest in the event’s 62-year history, with a sold-out show floor and more than 12,000 attendees. This year’s show is expected to be just as well attended, with about 5,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest in adhesives, coatings, fasteners, gutters,  roof/decking materials, roof pavers, skylights, vapor retarders,  waterproofing, and more. 

The show floor is just one aspect of the three-day event. Other highlights include a robust educational conference program with 44 different courses, a variety of special events and networking opportunities. For information about the IRE, visit www.theroofingexpo.com.