FAQs – Best of IBS^™ Awards

• Entries can be submitted between Monday, September 8, 2025 thru Friday, November 21, 2025 in one of the 9 different categories.

• All IBS Exhibitors, domestic or international, are eligible to enter.

• 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 you can 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 submitting?
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. It's important to point out that we cannot move the entry to a different category once the judging process starts.

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

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 prior to IBS
• Highlighted on BuildersShow.com throughout the year
• Marketing tool kit and engraved trophy to highlight your win
  • Important Disclaimer: For a company based outside of the U.S., if they're selected to be a trophy winner, the recipient of the award will be responsible to pay for any additional custom charges that they may incur.
• Best of IBS Awards ad in IBS Official Show Guide

All WINNERS (All FINALISTS benefits, plus):

• Recognized on NAHB and IBS blogs and IBS social media channels
• Featured in a national press release to industry media post-show

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

Do I have to be an IBS Exhibitor to apply?
Yes.

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

Can a 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 enter it into the Best of IBS Awards?
Yes. As long as your company plans to have the product on display at your 2026 IBS Exhibitor booth.

Can I enter a product that was previously submitted or recognized as a Finalist/Winner?
Yes. To be eligible the product entered must have had changes, upgrades or updates within the last 12-18 months that make it different than the product previously submitted. You will need to clearly explain how it has been changed from the previous product.

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

Do you accept entries from outside the United States?
Yes. All IBS Exhibitors, domestic or international, can enter. However, if an international company is selected as a finalist or winner, they will be responsible for any additional custom charges that they may incur for the shipping of awards.

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

What if I start my submission and cannot complete it?
Entries must be completed before submittal; otherwise your work will be lost. Completed entries must be received on or before November 21, 2025.

Can I mail my application?
In an effort to be environmentally friendly, cost-effective and more efficient, we will only accept electronic entries.

New this year: As part of your entry, you must complete your Exhibitor Listing and Online Exhibitor Profile. View this video to learn how you can complete your listing.

Who do I contact if I have questions while submitting?
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 entries are free.

What type of photos are requested in the application?
We are looking for professional-quality color photos. The photos may be used in social media, on the Best of IBS Awards web page, in post-show PR, etc.

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

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 entries anonymous?
No, but the judges are required to keep all product information confidential until the first day of the show, when we announce product names. Prior to the show, we only announce the company names of the products that are finalists.

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

Judges designate finalists prior to the show and then visit all finalists in their assigned category at the show, on February 17-18. Judges will be designated by a special ribbon to alert the exhibitor staff when they are visiting the exhibitor’s booth to see the exhibitor’s entry.

The judges will select one winner in each of the nine categories and one of the category winners will receive the Best in Show™ Award.

• 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 helps solve a specific problem for the consumer/will be a product that a consumer is excited about having 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.

• For your product's website, be sure to provide a direct link to the product page on your website; don't just provide a link to your company's website home page. Due to the number of entries, 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.