Anyone familiar with the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builders Show® (IBS) will tell you it’s the world’s largest annual trade event for the residential construction industry. The 2026 offering, in Orlando, February 17-19, features exhibitions with 1,700+ brands on display and is projected to attract 70,000+ attendees.
This year’s IBS also includes the largest delegation of team members from the Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA) in the association’s 48-year history.
The show provides a key opportunity to spotlight polymeric siding, polymeric roofing, and other advanced exterior building products.
As a strong ally with NAHB, PEPA is no stranger to the IBS. Matt Dobson, PEPA’s Senior Vice President, and Alex Fernandez, PEPA’s Vice President, Government Affairs and Advocacy, have been appointed to NAHB committees on Codes & Standards, Climate Risk, Product Liability and State & Local Government Affairs. Their main committee and subcommittee meetings are held during IBS.
Now that PEPA has expanded its membership categories to include polymeric roof tile manufacturers and – most recently – distributors, the time is right for the association to have a larger presence at the show, or as President & CEO Kate Offringa calls it, “a full court press” from the PEPA staff.
“I always boast about our team that ‘punches above its weight,’” Kate said. “IBS is the perfect show for PEPA staff to maximize learning and networking opportunities for the benefit of the polymeric exterior industry.”
Kate will be one of the featured guests at the Roofers Coffee Shop on the SRS Sound Stage (Booth W3443, P1337, West Hall) on Wednesday, February 18, at 12:45 p.m..
“They are interviewing me about PEPA, about polymeric building products and about the exciting work our new roof group is doing. I’m also excited to talk about PEPA’s new distributor membership category opening up.”
PEPA Team Out in Full Force
The complete PEPA roster attending the 2026 IBS includes:
- Kate Offringa, President & CEO
- Matt Dobson, Senior Vice President
- Alex Fernandez, Vice President, Governmental Affairs and advocacy
- Curtis Norman, Vice President, Finance & Operations
- Lisa Dunn, Senior Director of Communications
- Sara Krompholz, Senior Director, Technical & Certification
- Alex Brand, Assistant Director, Workforce Development
- Shannon Gear, Membership Services Manager
“Attending the IBS allows the PEPA staff to see our members in action and learn about their plans for the year ahead about new products and initiatives,” Matt said. “IBS is the pulse of the residential building industry. Hearing and seeing the industry at its largest trade venue is a great educational experience.”
Matt emphasized that another reason the entire PEPA team joined in Orlando is to help foster a stronger understanding of the association through conversations and relationship-building.
PEPA has a lot to talk about, not only regarding membership expansions, but also its long history of success in product certification, building code advocacy, sustainability and recyclability, as well as its support for its members’ product innovations.
The theme for this year’s IBS is “All Homes Start Here” with major trends focusing on AI, high-performance building and labor-saving technology.