Hi {{first_name | there}},

IBS wrapped up last week in Orlando before permanently moving back to Vegas in 2027. Attendance. 75,000 people. Whether you made it or not, here's what matters for HBAs in 2026.

NAHB's chief economist laid it out. 2025 was disappointing for single-family starts. 2026 looks better, but not dramatically. Interest rates hovering around 6%. Affordability is still the biggest challenge.

Translation: Your builder members are dealing with tight margins and cautious buyers. They need help closing deals, not just connections.

The education sessions were packed. Not about products. About operations. Time management. Project budgets. Marketing ROI. Sales attribution.

Builders want practical business help. How to run tighter jobs. How to market smarter. How to close more deals without dropping prices.

Your members aren't just looking for networking events. They're looking for answers to "How do I stay profitable in this market?"

AI showed up everywhere. Construction management software. Automated finishing tools. Smart home integration. 3D visualization for sales.

But here's what stood out: The builders actually using this stuff weren't the big production guys. They were smaller custom builders finding ways to compete without adding headcount.

Your members are thinking about efficiency. One-person installs. Faster workflows. Tools that save labor.

Biophilic design is the word everyone used. Natural materials. Indoor-outdoor connection. Wellness-focused spaces. European minimalism. Sustainable everything.

Also: Aging in place. Renovations over move-ups. People holding onto low interest rates and upgrading instead of selling.

Your members are navigating affordability problems, thin margins, and operational pressure.

The conversations at IBS weren't about inspiration. They were about survival strategies. Efficiency. Profitability. Differentiation.

That's the climate right now.

If you're planning 2026 programming or member value, lead with practical business help. Not just industry updates. Actual answers to "How do I make more money with less overhead?"

That's what resonated in Orlando.

Timothy

Timothy Dahl
Founder, Builder Playbook
LinkedIn