FAQs – Best of IBS^™ Awards

• Submissions accepted Monday, September 8, 2025 - Friday, November 21, 2025 in 9 categories.

• All 2026 IBS Exhibitors, domestic or international, are eligible.

• Submitted products must be on display at your 2026 IBS Exhibitor booth for onsite judging.

• New this year: Applicants must complete their Exhibitor Listing and Online Exhibitor Profile for the opportunity to be recognized as a Finalist/Winner. View this video to learn how to complete your listing.

The 2026 Best of IBS Awards categories available to apply for are:

• Best Business Solution Software (Previously known as Best Home Software Product)
• Best Energy Efficient Product
• Best Home Technology Product
• Best Indoor Product
• Best Kitchen & Bath Product
• Best Outdoor Product
• Best Window & Door Product
• Most Innovative Building Material
• Most Innovative Construction Tool

Can I change my entry to a different category after submission?
Yes, you may change your entry to a different category until November 21, 2025, by contacting Lauren Wallace at [email protected] or 202.266.8205. NOTE: We cannot change the category once judging begins.

What should I do if I'm not sure which category best fits my entry?
Submit your product in the most appropriate category.

All FINALISTS:

• Included in pre-show marketing to increase booth traffic
• Included in the Best of IBS™ Awards online search
• Highlighted in a national press release to industry media before IBS
• Listed on BuildersShow.com throughout the year
• Receive an engraved finalist trophy and a marketing tool kit to help you announce and promote that you are a finalist
  • Important Disclaimer: For companies outside the U.S., award finalists are responsible for paying any additional customs fees for a trophy.
• Listed in the Best of IBS™ Awards print ad in the IBS Official Show Guide

All WINNERS (All FINALISTS benefits, plus):

• Recognized on NAHB and IBS blogs and IBS social media channels
• Featured in a post-show national press release to industry media
• Instead of an engraved finalist trophy, they will receive an engraved winner trophy
  • Important Disclaimer: For companies outside the U.S., award winners are responsible for paying any additional customs fees for a trophy.

For more information, please contact Lauren Wallace at 800-368-5242 x8205 or [email protected].

Do I have to be a 2026 IBS Exhibitor to apply?
Yes.

Do I have to be an NAHB Member to apply?
No.

Can a 2026 KBIS Exhibitor apply?
No.

Is there an application fee?
No.

My product won’t be available for sale until the middle of 2026. Can I still submit the product for Best of IBS Awards?
Yes, as long as your company displays the product at your 2026 IBS Exhibitor booth.

Can I submit a product that was previously submitted or recognized as a finalist and/or winner?
Yes, but the product must have been changed, upgraded or updated within the last 12-18 months. You will need to clearly explain how it is different from the previously submitted product.

Can I submit the same product for more than one category?
Yes. Your product can be entered into two Best of IBS Awards categories.

Do you accept submissions from outside the United States?
Yes. All 2026 IBS Exhibitors, domestic or international, can submit products. If an international company is selected as a finalist or winner, they are responsible for any customs charges for shipping the awards.

How can I apply for the Best of IBS Awards as a 2026 IBS Exhibitor?
Starting on Monday, September 8, 2025, the 4-step application process opens for the Best of IBS Awards Program. The deadline to complete applications is Friday, November 21, 2025.

What if I start my submission and cannot complete it?
As each step of the 4-step application process is completed, applicants can save their work by clicking on the 'Save Work in Progress' blue button. And when the application is ready to be submitted, applicants can click on the 'Submit FINAL Entry' blue button. Completed applications must be received by November 21, 2025.

Can I mail my application?
We only accept electronic entries.

Is there anything new to the application process?
Yes. As part of your entry this year you must complete your Exhibitor Listing and Online Exhibitor Profile. View this video to learn how to complete your listing.

Who do I contact if I have questions while working on my application?
Contact Lauren Wallace at [email protected] or 202-266-8205.

How much does it cost to submit my application(s)?
All Best of IBS product submissions are free.

Are there any additional fees that an applicant from outside the United States may encounter?
For companies outside the U.S., award finalists/winners are responsible for paying any additional customs fees for a trophy.

What type of photos are requested in the application?
You must submit professional-quality color photos. We may use these photos in social media, on the Best of IBS Awards web page, in a post-show press release, etc.

Do I need to include high-resolution images with my entry?
The application form accepts a maximum file size of 2 MB per photo. If we need a higher-resolution photo, we will contact you.

Is there a photo release form?
Yes. You cannot complete the application without agreeing to the terms and conditions (see entry form) governing the uploaded content.

Are product submissions confidential?
Judges are required to keep all product information confidential until the first day of the show. Before the show, NAHB announces the finalist company names and product, which are also hyperlinked to the product's web page. If your product website page is not available before the show, NAHB can link to your company's home page instead.

How are the winners selected?
Judging is conducted by an expert panel of builders, remodelers, other industry professionals and media, from across the country. There are approximately four judges assigned to each category (Total of approx. 36 judges).

Judges designate finalists before the show and then visit all finalists in their assigned category at the show, on February 17-18. Judges have a special ribbon attached to their IBS badge so booth staff will be able to recognize judges when they visit your booth.

The judges select one winner in each of the nine categories. One of the category winners is awarded Best in Show™.

• Innovation – The product is either new (this type of product has never been offered) or has been significantly changed and would be deemed a game-changer in its product class.
• Functionality – The product will be well-used by the builder in/for their business or the consumer in their daily lives.
• Good Design – The product has clean lines and is intelligently attractive for its purpose.
• Builder/Consumer Friendly – The product will help the builder solve a specific issue, help them add to their bottom line and/or help solve a problem for the consumer or is a product a consumer would be excited to have in their home.

• Be sure your product description makes it clear why your product is better than the competition's.

• Be concise in your product description.

• When asked for product website in the application process, if possible, it's best to provide a direct link to the product page on your website and not just a link to your company's website home page. Due to the number of submissions, the judges won't take the time to search around your website to find the entered product.

• For the BEST ENERGY EFFICIENT CATEGORY, if your product has 3rd-party testing verification, be sure to mention that in the description.