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2002 International Builders' Show Signals a New Year of Opportunity

¡¾Jan.15, 2002¡¿

2002 International Builders' Show Signals a New Year of Opportunity

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Jan. 14 -- With housing still the shining star of an otherwise lackluster economy, more than 70,000 industry professionals from all over the globe will travel to the 2002 International Builders' Show (IBS), in Atlanta, February 8-11, for the most important event of the year for America's housing industry. Presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the 58th Annual Convention and Exposition returns to the Georgia World Congress Center for a second year as the country's largest trade show and educational forum for all those working in the residential and light commercial construction industry.

"The show gives us a welcome venue to prepare for the opportunities in the coming year as the economy regains its strength," said Bruce Smith, NAHB president and a home builder from Walnut Creek, Calif. "The home building industry held steadfast during the turbulent times last fall and will be coming out in numbers in Atlanta to gear up for what we expect to be another year of outstanding performance in housing construction."

Former New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, Time magazine's "Person of the Year," whose heroic poise, courage and compassion inspired the nation following the terrorist attacks last September, will deliver the keynote address during the show's grand opening ceremonies. This year's opening has an appropriately patriotic theme, "Igniting the Flame of Freedom: A Tribute to the American Home Builder," that confirms the industry's resolve to keep moving forward and do its part for the nation's economy. Bart Connor, Olympic gold medalist, will be the special guest narrator for the ceremonies that also feature the world-class skating pair of Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner.

IBS is home to the industry's premier new product showcase with products from more than 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers. The exhibit floor spans nearly one million square feet of the newest residential building materials and products in more than 300 different categories. Returning this year are TecHOMExpo, a show-within-a-show, where visitors can learn about cutting-edge technologies and products including hardware, software and services; and ICCON (the International Commercial Construction Exposition) that spotlights a wide range of specialized products and services for the light commercial industry.

Convention-goers will also be able to choose from more than 200 educational seminars in 15 subject tracks that offer practical instruction and valuable information from many of the industry's top names and leading experts. To further help attendees improve their businesses and stay ahead of the competition, a series of hands-on computer labs will be available for those intent on mastering the Internet, the latest software and electronic devices.

Also during the show, a wide range of economic data and consumer research will be presented including NAHB's annual Housing and Economic Outlook and findings from recent homebuyer surveys.

Off-site home tours, which this year include The 2002 New American Home and the Southern Showcase of Homes tour, are a popular attraction at every show. The New American Home, located in Smyrna, Ga., is a 6,700 sq. ft. three-level, move-up house inspired by the colorful homes of the Caribbean Islands and the casual style and comfortable living of Georgia country homes. It includes a handicapped-accessible owner's suite on the first floor as well as many universal design features throughout the house. The Southern Showcase tour offers a range of housing types from luxury and move-up residences to homes for first-time buyers. All of the homes on tour promise a collection of innovative ideas that builders can put into practice in their local areas. Free shuttle buses will be provided for both tours every day during show hours from the convention center.

Members of the working press who have not pre-registered for the show can do so at the NAHB Press Headquarters in room W157B of the Georgia World Congress beginning Thursday, February 8.

Visit www.BuildersShow.com for additional, up-to-date information on the show.

ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 205,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as the "voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the more than 1.5 million new housing units projected for 2001. During a typical year, residential construction accounts for about five cents of every dollar spent in the U.S. economy, making home building one of the largest and most influential industries in the country.

CONTACT: Donna Reichle, (202) 266-8473, dreichle@nahb.com -