The 2023 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) was back in Las Vegas and it was the biggest Builders’ Show since 2008. The Compass Homes team was among the nearly 70,000 residential construction professionals to attend IBS 2023, learning about the short and long-term outlook for the home building industry.
We had the opportunity to talk with our team about what they enjoyed the most and their biggest “takeaway” from the Builders’ Show.
Mark Braunsdorf – Owner and President
How many times have you attended IBS?
22
What was your favorite thing about this year’s trip?
Getting to spend extended time with our team and watch with absolute delight as they (from different parts of the business) talk about what they learned, and brainstorm about how they can apply it to improve our business. Watching production and design talk about how to make the customer experience better, or sales and estimating talk about improving our product makes me incredibly proud!
Which class was your favorite and why?
No BS* Culture (*Burnout & Stress). I got some great ideas on how to improve our company’s sense of community, and how to help our team navigate the inevitable stress that we all have in our lives.
Name something new that you saw at the EXPO that you think Compass Homes clients would like to have in their homes.
A Span electric panel. It’s not exciting, but it is a smart electric panel, which helps to manage increasing electrical loads, can potentially identify issues with appliances and HVAC systems before they become an emergency, and is a great way to set up for the addition of car chargers, solar panels, battery backups, etc.
What is your biggest “takeaway” from IBS 2023?
There are many different paths to achieve High-Performance homes, and we (Compass) are going to step up our commitment to High-Performance Homes, with a goal of all homes being Net Zero Ready by the end of the decade.
Stephen Noggle, Construction Supervisor
How many times have you attended IBS?
This was my first time.
What was your favorite thing about this year’s trip?
My favorite part of the trip is meeting and learning from other industry professionals to gain diversity in on-site construction management systems.
Which class was your favorite and why?
My favorite class I attended focused on the future of floor warming systems which will provide easier installs during construction and adds integrated technology to allow consumers easy access to managing their floor warming systems.
Name something new that you saw at the EXPO that you think Compass Homes clients would like to have in their homes.
Aria Vent is my favorite. They provide a cost-effective option to floor registers that apply flooring finishes for a more seamless and upgraded finish.
What is your biggest “takeaway” from IBS 2023?
My biggest takeaway is that many builders create high-quality homes. However, each builder tweaks their best practice procedures to accommodate their labor market and the challenges that come with their market.
Pamela Saloom, Director of Sales & Marketing
How many times have you attended IBS?
7
What was your favorite thing about this year’s trip?
After working remotely for so long, it was really special to reconnect with other Compass team members. This was also the first time for 3 Compass folks, and I love seeing/hearing their perspectives, being a “first timer.” And frankly, I think we all miss the connection between being together and learning new things.
Which class was your favorite and why?
This is a tough question because there were some fantastic education sessions. And since I wear so many hats at Compass, I have a few favorites that embody two entirely different “hats.”
My first was related to my position of Marketing Director – “Two-Story Talk: Keeping It Local With Geofencing & Hyperlocal SEO.” This was a fabulous session where I actually learned some new things, and reinforced a few marketing venues that we already utilize, heavily.
I also very much enjoyed the session on design – One was “What’s Next for Exteriors” which focused on updated exteriors for homes and the latest and greatest trends. Much of this session had a focus on the importance of the streetscape, color, and the essentials of good, honest design.
I also enjoyed a class on everyone’s favorite topic, kitchen trends! This session was called “Kitchen Trends: All The Bells & Whistles That Buyers Want In 2023.” One word – gamechanger! I actually photographed every single slide from this session and had some phenomenal takeaways – colors, unbelievable/practical islands, warm woods, timeless whites, and endless opportunities for beauty and functionality.
Name something new that you saw at the EXPO that you think Compass Homes clients would like to have in their homes.
There were definitely a few trends that I saw popping up everywhere – including black bathtubs! These are a complete departure from the all-white, freestanding tubs that we all see. Black tubs were dominant, followed by colored tubs, which I think the pinks, blues, and greens will be a very short-lived trend.
Anything and everything pet-related – we’re talking lots of pet bowl watering systems in pull-out drawers with pot fillers (I mean seriously, these are great, but do people have a clue how ridiculously expensive a pot filler is?!)
Shiny chrome fixtures continue to be both timeless and hot.
Home automation is a big deal…basically, anything that makes our lives easier, safer, and quicker.
Touchless faucets are really catching on and energy efficiency is becoming a bit more within reach.
OH WAIT!…and for all those folks who don’t ever want to clean grout again…bath slab walls and completely groutless shower pans that are made of dolomite and epoxy that are compression molded. Fascinating…
What is your biggest “takeaway” from IBS 2023?
There were a couple of resounding themes that were present in all classes, regardless of whether it was a class about design, sales, marketing, floor plan design, or estimating…they were popping up everywhere! Wellness…well-being, practical spaces, private spaces, features that simplify our lives. And lots of changes/updates for digital marketing, which unless you’re a marketer or digital geek, no one else really cares about.
John Cushman – Estimator
How many times have you attended IBS?
This was my first time.
What was your favorite thing about this year’s trip?
Getting a chance to learn more about my coworkers in a non-work environment.
Which class was your favorite and why?
Dr. Decks – Bending the Rules of Decking. This class was my favorite because the main speaker Jason Russell was engaging and he had a great deal of knowledge he was able to pass onto the audience.
Name something new that you saw at the EXPO that you think Compass Homes clients would like to have in their homes.
Smart Electric panels that allow you to control power from an App. (many different brands were on display at the show). I think this would be something that our clients that want a generator would like to have.
What is your biggest “takeaway” from IBS 2023?
While listening to the questions asked at the end of most classes many of the builders did not have the processes in place that were being discussed in the class. Our company has most of the processes in place and we just need to improve/tweak/update the process.
Jennifer Kirk – Sales Assistant
How many times have you attended IBS?
This was my first time.
What was your favorite thing about this year’s trip?
It was getting to know my co-workers better. A couple of co-workers I don’t get to see much, and we have a new designer on staff, so getting to know them was great.
Which class was your favorite and why?
There were several classes I liked, but my favorite was 4/12 Pitch: Top Virtual & Physical Home Presentation Hacks for 2023. This class was about four distinct home presentation tools – virtual design and tours, staging, and self-guided tours. Self-guided tours are valuable for our spec homes when we don’t have a host there, we could virtually stage our homes and share that in email and on our social networks.
Name something new that you saw at the EXPO that you think Compass Homes clients would like to have in their homes.
There was so much to see, and not really one that sticks out, but the new colors trending right now, especially in the kitchen with cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
What is your biggest “takeaway” from IBS 2023?
My “takeaway” is that there is much to see at the show and to have a better plan. The biggest takeaway is that I need to understand and be current on the virtual aspect of selling our homes.
Hylas Stemen – Director of Design
How many times have you attended IBS?
Two times before this.
What was your favorite thing about this year’s trip?
Bananas Foster at the Steer … just kidding, sort of. Bonding with new team members and planning for the goals that lie ahead in 2023.
Which class was your favorite and why?
Branding Your Company for 2023. They discussed creating ‘Disney moments’ for clients that made them feel special and truly understood by their builders through the building process.
Name something new that you saw at the EXPO that you think Compass Homes clients would like to have in their homes.
The water vapor fireplaces.
What is your biggest “takeaway” from IBS 2023?
The less-than-positive 2023 forecast for home building has a bright spot for custom builders focusing on tear-down/infill projects. Its 9% of the total home building market has grown over the past year and projects continued growth.
More From Compass Homes
