SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Informa Markets’ Build™ Show LIVE brought influential voices in high-performance construction to the Henry B. González Convention Center for conference/education Sept. 10-12, 2026, and an expo hall open Sept. 11-12.
“Overall attendance was up about 3%, and where we really saw significant momentum was in specific pass categories that tell us a lot about what attendees are looking for,” Sue Pino, Show Director, Build Show LIVE, said. “The most notable growth was in our Expo + Education passes — we had a 60% increase in registrations in 2026. That’s a huge jump and it’s a clear signal that people aren’t just coming to walk the show floor; they want the full experience, including access to our educational programming. We also saw a 25% increase in VIP Experience passes, which shows that there’s strong demand for more premium, in-depth access to content and networking opportunities.”
Building Education
Pino shared that the show’s high quality of education is its most powerful growth factor.
She explained that the Build Show Network, a digital media and education platform built around builder and educator Matt Risinger, has established itself as a trusted source for quality building and craftsmanship.
“Builders, contractors and trades professionals know they can rely on us for accurate, practical information,” Pino said. “Build Show LIVE takes that trust to the next level because it’s where professionals can actually get face-to-face, in-person learning directly from each of the Build Experts. There’s something valuable about being able to ask questions in real time, seeing demonstrations up close and having direct conversations with the people who are at the forefront of building science and best practices.
“The growth we’re seeing, especially in those education-focused passes, tells us that there’s a real hunger for that in-person, hands-on learning experience. People want to be in the room with the experts, and that’s exactly what Build Show LIVE delivers.”
The show added several new sessions reflecting emerging trends and fundamental business needs.
Its Build Partners Breakthrough Academy spent the last year on a deep dive into AI specifically for construction professionals, investigating what constitutes quality, practical AI applications, because it can be confusing for builders and contractors to figure out what’s worth their time and investment.
They delivered their findings at the show, covering a wide range of topics, including how to evaluate whether you can trust AI tools to keep critical parts of your business running, and what virtual assistants can accomplish in a construction context.
Pino shared that the response was fantastic.
“The goal was to give construction professionals a realistic, grounded understanding of where AI can genuinely help them be more efficient and effective, versus where the technology isn’t quite ready or doesn’t make sense for their specific needs,” Pino said. “It’s about cutting through the hype and giving people actionable insights they can use in their businesses.
“The fact that the session was packed tells us this is a topic our audience is hungry to learn more about, and we’re committed to continuing to provide that kind of practical, no-nonsense guidance as AI continues to evolve in our industry.”
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Navigating Challenges
Part of the show’s VIP Experience includes taking attendees on a tour of a house under construction.
“The goal is to show builders everything behind the walls — insulation, windows, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical — all the critical systems and details that go into quality home construction,” Pino said. “It’s a valuable learning opportunity because once those walls are closed up, you can’t see how things are done.”
However, the house the show planned to tour faced significant delays due to issues with its neighborhood homeowners’ association. When the show started, there was only a foundation and partial framing in place.
Pivoting, the event’s team brought together the manufacturers of the products that were going to be installed in the house and invited them to set up mini demonstration areas on the property.
Every manufacturer provided unique, hands-on demonstrations showing the correct installation methods for their products and how they would be incorporated into the construction process.
“What started as a concern became a huge success,” Pino said. “The builders absolutely loved seeing the home in its beginning stages. They got to see the foundation work and the framing details, and then watch live demonstrations of proper installation techniques for all the major building systems. The conversations were fantastic, and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. In many ways, seeing the house at this early stage provided even more educational value than a finished tour might have.
“So, while it wasn’t what we originally planned, it ended up being a tremendous learning experience and really reinforced the collaborative, problem-solving spirit that defines the building community.”
Raising the Standard
This year, the show introduced the Build HD Standard™, which Pino explained represents a significant step forward in residential construction.
“We’ve taken proven building-science principles and translated them into specific, actionable expectations that builders and their trades can execute in the field,” Pino said. “The core philosophy behind Build HD is simple but important: Code is the starting point, not the finish line. We want to help builders construct homes that are more durable, resilient, comfortable and long-lasting than what minimum code compliance would deliver. … Overall, the Build HD Standard gives builders a clear roadmap for delivering higher-performance homes without making the process overly complicated or cost-prohibitive.”
Build Show LIVE will head to Houston in 2027, with conference taking place Oct. 21-23 and the expo hall open Oct. 22-23.
“We’re already in the planning stages and working with our exhibitors and education partners to make sure we’re delivering content that’s relevant to the market, while maintaining the high-quality, practical education that Build Show LIVE is known for,” Pino said.
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