Construction industry struggles reflected at IBS

The International Builders Show that runs through Friday at Las Vegas Convention Center is a good indication of how the home construction industry is struggling this year.

Several exhibitors at the trade show estimated that attendance is probably down 30 percent to 40 percent this year. Attendance was projected at 100,000.

Large exhibitors such as DeWalt and Bosch power tools were absent from this year's show. An estimated 1,900 companies displayed home building products in some 300 categories.

It costs about $40 a square foot for exhibit space at the show, with a minimum booth size of 100 square feet.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 84 percent of IBS attendees authorize, specify or recommend purchases; 62 percent hold key executive titles; and 50 percent make it the only trade show they attend. They spend an average of 11.3 hours on the show floor, 37 percent more than the average trade show.