Designers, architects and builders by the thousands (some 30,000 plus) were in Las Vegas last week to attend two shows at the Las Vegas Convention Center. One was the National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show (IBS) and the other was the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The show floors combined (along with comprehensive educational offerings) are known as Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas.

For attendees, the opportunities to meet with customers and suppliers, identify trends and solve design challenges are reasons to attend both shows. For me personally, I typically learn new things at each show I attend, and IBS and KBIS were no exception.

A large article in the KBIS show directory noted that times, though good, could be even better if enough workers could be found to build and renovate homes. The following paragraph is from the article:

“According to a report issued in November from the Home Builders Institute (HBI), there were about 338,000 open construction jobs at the end of September and that figure is only based on those companies posting the openings. As a means to rectify this global challenge, the industry has bolstered its efforts to bring back interest to the trades through improved recruiting and training programs.” The article goes on to say that HBI is spearheading programs to bring back skills training in secondary schools and to establish special academies focused on the construction trades.

Something else that attracted my attention at the show was the comment made, during a panel discussion, that some California cities, concerned about climate change, are passing legislation to discourage or ban gas stoves in new construction. I had never heard that (I love my gas stove), and yet, on the KBIS show floor, I saw far more gas ranges than electric. I wonder if such bans have a future nationwide.

I made a brief tour of IBS and KBIS, and my video is attached.