Raising the Standard in Construction: IBS, JobTread & More
Over the past six weeks, I’ve attended three major construction industry events:
- JobTread Connect Conference
- Curious Builder Collective (Los Angeles)
- International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando
Each one reinforced a mission I care deeply about: raising the standard of construction.
As a specialty contractor focused on luxury fitness and wellness spaces, staying ahead of building science, estimating systems, and product innovation is not optional. It’s essential.
JobTread Connect: Improving Construction Systems and Transparency
JobTread powers my job costing, estimating, and production workflows, so JobTread Connect was a chance to sharpen the tool that supports everything we do.
At the conference, I focused on:
Building smarter estimating templates
Improving cost tracking accuracy
Strengthening margin clarity
Streamlining production systems
But the biggest value wasn’t only the sessions. It was the conversations between sessions. Learning directly from elite remodelers and custom builders across the country gives me new ideas, a sounding board, and often the validation that the fundamentals we’re committed to really do matter.
Specialty Contractor of the Year
I was honestly shocked and stoked to receive Specialty Contractor of the Year at the conference.
Eric Fortenberry’s keynotes were inspiring, especially his message around raising the standard of construction through better systems and better business. I genuinely believe that acting in the best interest of clients, showing up with thorough and transparent estimates, and pricing accurately to earn a livable wage and a real company profit makes the entire industry better.
And none of that is possible without the right software.
What also impressed me is JobTread’s customer support. For a tech company, I’ve rarely seen service at that level. When you’re running real projects with real dollars attached, that kind of responsiveness matters.
Curious Builder Collective Los Angeles: High-Level Builder Collaboration
The first LA gathering of the Curious Builder Collective was hosted at the Emser Tile showroom, and we met on the sixth floor, a space that apparently no client has ever been in. It felt like getting behind-the-scenes access.
The meeting was led by Stacy Eakman from Alaire Homes Washington and LA, and the room was packed with talented builders and strong vendor partners, including:
I kept thinking Mark Williams (Creator of the Curious Builder Podcast & Collective) might walk in and surprise us. He wasn’t there in person, but he was definitely there in spirit.
What I loved about this day was the mix of builders and vendors who actually understand construction. When vendors know what it takes to deliver products that perform in a high-end environment and support builders in the field, everyone wins, especially the client.
International Builders’ Show (IBS) Orlando: Building Science and Innovation
IBS in Orlando was my fourth year attending. I’ve been in business four years, and I’ve attended all four years. I’m proud of that because it’s a real commitment to staying current, learning fast, and being around the best in the industry.
For the last three years, I’ve also been a presenter on the IBS Craft Techniques Zone stage, where we demonstrate product systems and best practices across the building envelope.
Craft Techniques Zone (CTZ): Building the Demo Stage From Scratch
We show up four days early and build out the demo stage from nothing. It’s like building a mini house inside a convention center.
It’s long days, a lot of teamwork, and a ton of camaraderie with:
- Walt Tamala (TNT General Contracting, Massachusetts)
- Aaron Butt (Carpenter & MacNeille, Massachusetts)
- Casey Knips (True Fit Carpentry, Minnesota)
These guys are the best of the best, and they welcome me with open arms every year.
One of the coolest parts is seeing the stage evolve. It starts as an empty space. Then by the end of the show, it’s built out layer by layer, system by system. The final result is always spectacular.
Product Highlights From the Stage
MAPEI Polyglass XFR roof underlayment
Polyglass XFR is fire-rated and has a combustion rating that far exceeds many comparable products on the market. My mind immediately went to wildfire-prone areas in California. Higher-performance roofing assemblies aren’t a luxury in those regions. They’re responsible construction. This is a product I’ll be specifying going forward where applicable.
Laticrete shower pans and waterproofing systems (Hydro Ban)
I’ve used Laticrete wall boards before, but I really enjoyed using their shower pan system because Hydro Ban is embedded onto the top of the foam panels. Hydro Ban is one of the most trusted waterproofing membranes out there. It’s also readily available through places like Floor and Decor, and Laticrete’s technical support is consistently top-tier. When you use their systems, you feel confident you’re installing correctly and building something that will last.
The Rooms That Matter After the Expo Floor Closes
The expo floor is powerful, but some of the most meaningful conversations happen after hours.
Monday Night: Contractor Coalition Summit and BuildHer Summit Meetup
Monday night was the Contractor Coalition Summit and BuildHer Summit meetup. The room was packed with the best and the brightest in the industry. These are my people.
Builders, remodelers, educators, and operators who care about systems, margins, craftsmanship, and the future of leadership in construction. The energy in that room was focused and forward-thinking.
Tuesday Night: Rockwool at the Ice Bar
Tuesday night was Rockwool at the Ice Bar and it was great to catch up with folks I didn’t see the night before and other people in the building science world.
It’s refreshing to be around people who genuinely geek out over fire ratings, assemblies, and performance details. That curiosity is what drives real industry evolution.
Wednesday Night: Sashco
Wednesday night was Sashco, and seeing that many people come together from vendors, to trade partners, to builders and building science nerds is impressive.
It reinforces something important. The best in the industry are not operating in silos. They’re collaborating. And when vendors and contractors align around performance and long-term durability, clients win.
Why These Events Matter
The contractors who attend these events are actively investing in:
- Updated building science
- Technology integration
- Material innovation
- Operational excellence
There are plenty of contractors who will never attend IBS, never refine their systems, and never stay current with new products and building science. That gap is widening.
Construction is becoming more technical, more transparent, and more system-driven. If you’re not actively learning, you’re quietly falling behind.
For me, these events directly impact how I:
- Price projects accurately
- Protect client budgets
- Specify high-performance materials
- Coordinate with elite builders nationwide
Luxury fitness and wellness spaces require more than aesthetics. They require discipline, systems, and technical excellence.
I’m grateful to be in rooms with builders and vendor partners who are committed to raising the bar.
-Kali Sudbrook
