ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) ended their final run in Orlando this week, reporting a surge in attendance and a floor dominated by artificial intelligence and high-efficiency tech.

Design & Construction Week (DCW) saw a combined 117,000 registrants, according to final figures released Thursday. The International Builders’ Show alone accounted for nearly 75,000 of those attendees, filling 679,000 net square feet of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center. The co-located events featured a massive footprint of 2,250 exhibitors across 1.15 million square feet of indoor and outdoor displays.

“This year’s attendees have been excited and engaged — a reflection of the overall industry’s desire to get out there and build,” said Geoff Cassidy, NAHB chief revenue officer.

One of the new features at IBS this year was the AI & Tech Studio, which spotlighted cutting-edge tools transforming the home-building industry with hands-on demos and real-world case studies.

KBIS also saw strong performance reflected across the show floor from new product displays to new exhibitors.

“KBIS 2026 was, by every measure, an incredible success and a reflection of the remarkable vitality of the kitchen and bath industry,” said Bill Darcy, Global President and CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “As shared at our annual State of the Association meeting, the industry is poised for a strong outlook, and the consistent feedback we received from attendees was that KBIS reignited enthusiasm for the future and provided meaningful connections that will help their businesses grow. As KBIS continues to evolve and expand, it’s bringing even greater, lasting value to our members from around the world. KBIS is the can't-miss event for the global kitchen, bath and home industry.”

In addition to meeting suppliers and seeing product demos throughout the three-day show, attendees could network and attend more than 120 education sessions led by experts on a wide range of industry topics.

DCW award winners

KBIS announced the winners of the 2026 Best Booth Awards, featuring a diverse display of remarkable design.

The Best Booth Awards recognized outstanding exhibitor creativity on display at KBIS 2026. Artistry, innovation, and craftsmanship transformed the Orange County Convention Center as exhibitors showcased new products in creative presentations that transported attendees. This year’s winners rose above the rest, showcasing the largest trends that will sweep the kitchen and bath industry in the coming years.

KBIS 2026 booths reflected the direction of the industry at large: warm saturated hues, organic materials, tech-forward interfacing, graphic surfacing moments, and a focus on health and wellness. Judges Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC (Timeless Kitchen Design), Elizabeth P. Lord-Levitt, CMKBD, MSRECM, CLIPP (Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design), and Veronica Gordon-Brown (Klassik Designs Inc.) remarked during the NEXTStage awards ceremony that this year’s winning booths offered a sensory experience, telling stories through thoughtful ambience and feats of engineering. With expanded categories, the distinguished panel looked for design aesthetic, visual impact, product presentation, innovation, functionality, community impact, and more.

Kohler took home the top honor for Best in Show Booth as well as the award for Best Plumbing Booth. In the size-based categories, Daltile was named Best Grand Booth, Fabuwood earned Best Large Booth, and Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry secured Best Medium Booth, while IKONNI took home the award for Best Small Booth. Category-specific leaders included Cava Surfaces as the Best New Exhibitor, Cosentino for Best Surfaces Booth, and GE Appliances for Best Appliance Booth. Rounding out the winners, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry doubled up with a win for Best Cabinetry Booth, and Plank Hardware was recognized for Best Hardware, Lighting, & Accessories.

This year’s Best of IBS Awards received more than 300 entries. Decided by a panel of 35 independent judges made up of industry and media representatives, the awards were given in nine categories, plus the overall Best in Show winner.

Awards were given to exhibitors with a product or line that shows the best combination of design, functionality and innovation, as well as its usefulness to consumers and/or home builders.

The winners are:
•    Best in Show: Muddskip Revolutionary Drywall Finishing Technology by Muddskip Revolutionary Wall Coating – Booth W8189
•    Best Business Solution Software Product Winner: Adaptive by Adaptive – Booth S6065 
•    Best Energy Efficient Product Winner: SPAN Panel MLO 24 with SPAN Current Transformers by SPAN – Booth S15058 
•    Best Home Technology Product Winner: Liv EZ™ Filtered Water Dispenser by Elkay by Zurn Elkay Water Solutions – Booth W5247 
•    Best Indoor Product Winner: Flood Smart™ by Pro-Flash Building Products – Booth W6143 
•    Best Kitchen & Bath Product Winner: Martel™ from E by Emser Tile – Booth S17059 
•    Best Outdoor Product Winner: Aquor Hot + Cold Residential Mixing Valve by Aquor Water Systems – Booth W5185 
•    Best Window and Door Product Winner: Avante® Door with C-Power™ Enabled Click-to-Conceal™ Panels by Clopay Corporation – Booth W2950 
•    Most Innovative Building Material Winner: Muddskip Revolutionary Drywall Finishing Technologyby Muddskip Revolutionary Wall Coating – Booth W8189 
•    Most Innovative Construction Tool Winner: Muddskip Revolutionary Drywall Finishing Technologyby Muddskip Revolutionary Wall Coating – Booth W8189

For more information, visit buildersshow.com and kbis.com.