Attendance was off by nearly a third at this
year's International Builders’ Show.
Attendance
was off by nearly a third at this year's International Builders’ Show, as the
slow economy has hit the nation’s housing market especially hard.
Sponsors
the National
Association of Home Builders pegged the attendance at just over 60,000 for the
Jan. 20-23 show in Las Vegas -- 30,000 fewer than the 2008 Orlando, Fla., event.
Still, NAHB officials pointed
out that 1,600 companies exhibited their latest products and services, and
interest in trends such as green building remained strong among those who did
attend.
"We're in the midst of
an industry crisis, yet our members are still busy gaining knowledge about new
products and techniques, and networking and learning from each other," said
newly elected association Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder in Tulsa, Okla. “This
attendance speaks to the optimism of our members and the nature of home
builders to always anticipate the ‘next big thing.’
“We continue to advocate for
an economic stimulus package that recognizes how important the home building
industry is to helping the nation get back on track -- and when it does, we
will be ready.”
Next year’s show will take
place Jan. 19-22, again in Las Vegas.
