Each year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) unites leading economists and industry professionals at the International Builders’ Show® (IBS) to deliver forward-looking insights into the housing market. The 2026 edition, scheduled for February 17–19 in Orlando, features a comprehensive educational program covering all aspects of residential construction, including single-family homes, multifamily developments, remodeling, design innovations, and material supply chains.
One of the flagship sessions, “The Outlook: 2026 Housing & Economic Forecast,” will take place on Tuesday, February 17 from 2:15 to 3:45 PM. Led by NAHB’s Chief Economist Robert Dietz, Realtor.com’s Danielle Hale, and Zonda’s Ali Wolf, this panel offers a detailed analysis of national housing trends and macroeconomic conditions shaping the sector.
Earlier that day, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington of NAHB and Selma Hempp of Cotality will lead a focused discussion on the multifamily market. Attendees will explore upcoming construction projects, financing obstacles, rental rate trends, and future growth projections.
On Wednesday, February 18, economist Eric Lynch and remodeling specialist Alan Hanbury will present “Remodeling by the Numbers: Market Outlook & Business Benchmarks for 2026” from 8:15 to 9:15 AM. This session draws on NAHB’s ‘Remodelers’ Cost of Doing Business’ study, offering comparative data on profit margins, operational expenses, and performance indicators.
Later that morning, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, Rose Quint of NAHB and architect Donald Ruthroff will examine evolving buyer preferences and design trends. The presentation will highlight features gaining popularity across different price ranges and showcase award-winning designs from the Best in American Living Awards™.
Another key session, “Building Materials in Flux: Pricing Trends, Trade Dynamics & Supply Chain,” runs from 2:15 to 3:15 PM on the same day. Hosted by Jesse Wade of NAHB, builder Don Dabbert, and analyst Nishu Sood from John Burns Research and Consulting, it will assess how tariffs and global trade policies affect the cost and availability of essential materials like lumber. The discussion will also cover supply chain adaptations in response to shifting market conditions.
Registration is now open for attendees seeking expert insights and strategic tools ahead of the 2026 housing cycle.
— news from Eye On Housing
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The International Builders’ Show: The Leading Economic Forecast Event of the Year – Eye On Housing
Every year, NAHB and other industry experts and economists bring their latest insights to the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS). For 2026, IBS offers an unparalleled lineup of IBS Education sessions that cover every sector of the housing industry: single-family, multifamily, remodeling, design trends, and building materials. n nThe Builders’ Show in 2026 is in Orlando, February 17 – 19. This is the only event where you’ll find all these speakers and sessions at one conference: n nThe Outlook: 2026 Housing & Economic Forecast (Super Session) n nTuesday, February 17 | 2:15 – 3:45 PM n nThis IBS Super Session is hosted by our very own Chief Economist, Robert Dietz, as well as Chief Economist of Realtor.com, Danielle Hale, and Chief Economist of Zonda, Ali Wolf. Not only does this session give you the chance to hear from these three nationally recognized economists, but it also gives you a complete overview of the housing economy. n n2026 Multifamily Market Outlook n nTuesday, February 17 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM n nDanushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB AVP of Forecasting & Analysis, and Selma Hempp, Chief Economist of Cotality, host a deep dive into multifamily housing. Explore the construction pipeline, financing challenges, rent growth, and more. Join the discussion for an exclusive forecast of where the multifamily sector is headed. n nRemodeling by the Numbers: Market Outlook & Business Benchmarks for 2026 n nWednesday, February 18 | 8:15 – 9:15 AM n nFeaturing NAHB Economist Eric Lynch, as well as remodeling expert Alan Hanbury, learn what key indicators and trends are shaping the home improvement industry and where it is headed. Compare how your business is doing with exclusive benchmarks on profit margins, operating costs, and more with exclusive findings from the NAHB ‘Remodelers’ Cost of Doing Business’ study. n nHome Trends, Buyer Preferences & Most Likely Features for 2026 n nWednesday, February 18 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM n nExplore the latest research on the home and community features buyers want most in this session led by NAHB AVP of Survey Research, Rose Quint and architect and industry thought-leader Donald Ruthroff. Discover what trends are shaping new home designs, including how preferences shift by price– point. See these trends in action, illustrated through award-winning designs from recent Best in American Living Awards™ (BALA) winners. n nBuilding Materials in Flux: Pricing Trends, Trade Dynamics & Supply Chain n nWednesday, February 18 | 2:15 – 3:15 PM n nGain timely insights into the ever-evolving trending issue of building materials, hosted by NAHB Director of Tax and Trade, Jesse Wade, custom builder and industry leader Don Dabbert, and industry expert and analyst Nishu Sood from John Burns Research and Consulting. Learn how key building materials like lumber are affected by tariffs and other international trade dynamics. Explore what’s driving material costs and availability, and how global and domestic supply chains are adapting. n nRegister Now