Green Building, Concrete Featured at 2008 IBS
 In recognition of the phenomenal growth of green building, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will celebrate “Green Day” on Thursday, Feb. 14, at the 2008 International Builders’ Show® in Orlando.
On Green Day, the association will officially launch the NAHB National Green Building Program and will unveil the new Certified Green Professional educational designation for home builders, remodelers and other industry professionals.
A dedicated green building display will allow participants to try out a new online scoring tool which is an important component of the NAHB National Green Building Program. The scoring tool shows how green building techniques and materials will affect a new home and allows builders and consumers to select the measures and materials that are most cost effective and best meet their needs. Builders can also test the tool at www.nahbgreen.org.
Also on the docket: a full day of green educational seminars on topics from market trends and consumer research to innovative design and new products. Information about the 10th annual NAHB National Green Building Conference also will be available. Noted green architect and educator William McDonough is the featured speaker Thursday morning and also will conduct an in-depth session on “Cradle to Cradle” environmentally and ecologically efficient building practices.
Four press conferences will highlight the new NAHB National Green Building Program, the National Green Building Standard and green trends, and also will offer a detailed look at The New American Home.® NAHB’s official showcase home is the first show home certified by the NAHB National Green Building Program.
IBS attendees also will learn more about the upcoming introduction of the National Green Building Standard, the first-ever consensus-based green standard for single-family and multifamily housing, residential remodeling, and lot and site development. The standard, which is currently open for public comment, is expected to be approved by the American National Standards Institute and unveiled in March.
NAHB volunteer leaders and staff members plan to join the celebration as well, donning green golf shirts provided by Green Day sponsors Whirlpool and Kohler. And, at last count, more than 170 companies have added their products and services to the new “green” category for IBS exhibitors.
Last year, the International Builders’ Show attracted more than 100,000 attendees during four days of seminars and other special presentations. They walked 11 miles of aisles through two million square feet of gross exhibit space, enough to cover 35 football fields. More than 1,900 exhibitors displayed the latest in housing products and services.
“We’re very proud that NAHB and the International Builders’ Show have long been ahead of the curve in introducing innovative products and technologies to our members,” said NAHB President Brian Catalde, a home builder in Southern California. “Our Green Day celebration honors these pioneering industry leaders as it launches the next steps for home builders in the United States.”
In other NAHB news at IBS:
- The Concrete Home Building Council is inviting builders, manufacturers and industry partners to a free “Connect With Concrete” luncheon during IBS. The luncheon, which will take place from noon - 2:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in West 108 A at the Orange County Convention Center, will feature information on the variety of ways in which using concrete can make homes stand out from the crowd and help businesses grow. Advances in concrete have made concrete one of the fastest-growing sectors of the housing industry. Concrete is cost-effective and green, efficient, versatile and environmentally friendly. It’s also something that home buyers want. For reservations, which are on a first-come, first-serve basis, please e-mail Kate Driscoll.
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