February 22, 2025
Hi Reader,
During the first quarter of each year, several prominent industry tradeshows related to the broad “Home Space” (e.g. construction; home & garden products; home improvement services; etc.) are held.
CES – the world’s most famous tradeshow – leads off the season in early January, as all aspects of business and life can pertain to “consumer electronics” and “all things digital”. This includes the home, of course, which is why we cover it.
The plumbing and HVAC industries follow up in mid-February, respectively with the WWETT Show and the AHR Expo.
Next week is the largest and most significant combined tradeshow directly related to the home – IBS (The International Builders’ Show), in tandem with KBIS (The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) being held in Las Vegas, known in the trades as Design and Construction Week.
Though many of the topics covered are technical in nature and targeted to professionals, these shows can be helpful sources of innovative inspiration for homeowners to understand what is currently possible and available. (See our curated list of innovative products in this year's New American Home).
If you are planning a major home project – be it a renovation, remodel, complete custom build, or transition to an aging-in-place or multigenerational household – this is the event to attend.
We recall our own fortuitous experience of incorporating new technological products and materials that significantly enhanced our home, simply by waiting a year or two for better options to become available. “Waiting” – whether deliberately or unintentionally – can also protect you from choosing dated or soon-to-be-obsolete solutions.
As advances in materials, methods, and products are "just around the corner", might we suggest that you not rush into your project without seeing what may soon be unveiled?
PS: Our previous newsletter can be found here and our archive here.
