What stood out most was not simply the size of the event, but the direction of the conversations happening inside it. From the rise of AI in home improvement to new residential construction technology trends, the focus was no longer just about products. It was about adaptation. Leaders were talking about how homeowners are buying differently, how teams are being trained differently, and how companies must move faster to stay competitive. The strongest businesses at IBS 2026 were not necessarily the oldest or the biggest. They were the companies willing to evolve.

Greg Cummings experienced these shifts firsthand while attending sessions, meeting industry leaders, and following Paul Burleson’s Grit to Gold tour throughout the event. The message behind those conversations connected deeply with what many contractors and business owners are facing today. Growth is no longer just about working harder. It is about building better systems, investing in people, embracing technology sooner, and creating customer experiences that build long term trust.

“Most importantly, it’s about the art of never giving up and changing and adapting.” Greg Cummings, CEO, Power100

That mindset could be seen across the entire show floor. The best home improvement trends from IBS 2026 were centered around smarter operations, stronger leadership, better customer communication, and high performance building solutions designed for the modern homeowner. From energy efficient show homes to AI driven business tools and contractor growth strategies, IBS became a real time look at the future of home improvement and residential construction.

The event also showed how connected the industry has become. Companies from around the world came to Orlando not only to showcase products, but to learn from one another, build partnerships, and discover new ways to grow. The conversations happening at IBS 2026 made one thing clear: the companies that will lead the next decade of home improvement will be the ones willing to learn faster, adapt faster, and serve customers better than ever before.

The Companies Winning Next Are the Ones Learning How to Adapt Faster

One of the clearest messages from IBS 2026 was that the home improvement industry is changing quickly, and the companies growing the fastest are the ones willing to change with it. Across the show floor, leaders spoke openly about how homeowner expectations are shifting. Customers are researching companies online before ever making a phone call. They want faster communication, stronger digital trust, smoother buying experiences, and businesses that can move quickly without sacrificing quality.

That shift is forcing contractors, remodelers, and residential construction leaders to rethink how they operate. Many of the top home improvement companies at IBS were focused on improving sales systems, strengthening hiring strategies, building better customer experiences, and finding smarter ways to generate leads in a more competitive market. The businesses gaining momentum were not stuck in old ways of thinking. They were actively rebuilding their systems around the modern customer.

Greg Cummings saw that same message repeated throughout the event while following Paul Burleson’s Grit to Gold tour and speaking with leaders navigating today’s fast moving market.

“We have to adapt to what is around us, how the consumer buys, how we hire and retain top talent, and of course, how we get more business.” Greg Cummings, CEO, Power100

The best contractor growth strategies from IBS 2026 were not built around shortcuts. They were built around flexibility, reinvention, and staying connected to what homeowners truly want today.

AI and Technology Are Quickly Becoming the New Growth Engine

The launch of the AI & Tech Studio became one of the strongest signals that the future of home improvement and residential construction will be heavily shaped by technology. What once felt experimental is now becoming part of daily operations for many companies across the industry.

At IBS 2026, contractors and business owners explored how AI is changing the home improvement industry through smarter lead qualification, faster customer communication, better automation, and improved conversion tracking. Many companies showcased systems designed to simplify operations, improve production tracking, organize scheduling, and strengthen team communication. Technology was no longer being discussed as something “coming soon.” It was already helping companies grow.

What stood out most was how many fast growing companies were embracing residential construction technology trends early. Those businesses are gaining an advantage by becoming more efficient while also creating better experiences for homeowners. The gap between companies willing to adopt technology and companies resisting change is beginning to widen.

The event made it clear that technology will not replace relationships in home improvement. Instead, it will help the best companies strengthen them through speed, consistency, and better service.

The Modern Contractor Is Becoming a Smarter Business Leader

Education played a major role throughout IBS 2026, and it revealed how much the industry itself is evolving. The days when contractors only needed technical skill are fading. Today’s leaders are being asked to understand sales, operations, finance, marketing, leadership, technology, and team development all at once.

With more than 120 education sessions, workshops, and symposiums, the event created opportunities for business owners to sharpen every part of their companies. Many sessions focused on helping contractors become stronger operators, stronger communicators, and stronger leaders inside their organizations.

The most respected companies at IBS were often the ones investing heavily in continuous learning and leadership development. These businesses are building cultures where growth never stops. They understand that staying ahead in home improvement means constantly improving both people and systems.

The event also showed the power of learning directly from experienced operators. Conversations with successful leaders, coaches, manufacturers, and innovators gave attendees real world insights they could apply immediately inside their businesses.

IBS 2026 showed that the modern contractor is no longer just building homes. They are building brands, systems, teams, and long term customer trust.

Strong Relationships Still Matter More Than Ever in Home Improvement

Even with the rise of AI, automation, and new digital tools, IBS 2026 proved that relationships remain one of the most powerful parts of the home improvement industry. The event brought together more than 70,000 professionals from over 100 countries and 1,700 companies and brands, creating one of the largest gatherings in residential construction.

What made the event stand out was not only the scale, but the energy behind the conversations happening everywhere across the show floor. Contractors connected with manufacturers. Business owners met future partners. Coaches shared lessons with rising leaders. Vendors and service providers worked together to solve real problems facing the industry today.

Paul Burleson’s Grit to Gold tour added another layer to these conversations by focusing on mentorship, resilience, and shared growth. His message reminded attendees that strong communities create stronger businesses. Many leaders spoke about the importance of helping others succeed, especially during changing market conditions.

The best home improvement companies are realizing they cannot grow alone. Long term success is increasingly being built through collaboration, trusted partnerships, and strong industry relationships.

The future of the industry will belong to businesses that stay connected, continue learning from others, and create value beyond their own company walls.

Innovation Is Raising the Standard for Modern Homeowners

From live demonstrations to product showcases and full scale model homes, IBS 2026 highlighted how quickly homeowner expectations are changing. Across the event, companies introduced new building materials, remodeling products, and smarter systems designed to improve both performance and experience.

The New American Home and The New American Remodel became major examples of where the industry is headed next. These homes showcased how luxury, energy efficiency, sustainability, durability, and modern design are now expected to work together. Homeowners are no longer looking for products that simply look good. They want homes that perform better, save energy, last longer, and fit modern lifestyles.

One major takeaway from the event was that innovation is becoming more practical. Many of the top home improvement innovations showcased at IBS 2026 focused on affordability, functionality, installation speed, and real world usability for contractors and homeowners alike.

Builders and remodelers are now being challenged to evolve alongside these expectations. The companies adapting fastest are creating better experiences while also improving operational efficiency and project delivery.

The future of home improvement is becoming smarter, faster, and more experience driven than ever before.

Grit, Leadership, and Culture Are Becoming the True Competitive Edge

While IBS 2026 featured major technology trends, product launches, and business innovation, one of the strongest lessons from the event centered around leadership itself. The conversations that left the biggest impact were often about resilience, culture, discipline, and the mindset required to keep growing during times of change.

Paul Burleson’s Grit to Gold tour became one of the emotional anchors of the event. His message focused on persistence, adapting under pressure, and refusing to quit even when the market becomes difficult. That mindset connected deeply with many contractors and business owners navigating hiring challenges, changing customer behavior, and rising competition.

Throughout the event, many respected leaders spoke about the importance of investing in people. Companies focused on employee growth, leadership development, team culture, and talent retention are increasingly becoming the businesses attracting stronger teams and building longer lasting success.

What also stood out was how many leaders are creating impact far beyond revenue. Many of the industry’s most respected companies are involved in mentorship, education, community support, and helping raise standards across the entire home improvement space. Their influence is being measured not only by sales growth, but by the lives and businesses they help improve along the way.

IBS 2026 made one thing very clear. The next generation of market leaders will not simply be built on products or marketing alone. They will be built on strong culture, adaptable leadership, and the ability to keep moving forward no matter how much the industry changes.

IBS 2026 Revealed an Industry Ready for Its Next Chapter

As IBS 2026 came to a close, one thing became impossible to ignore: the home improvement industry is entering a new season of transformation. The conversations, innovations, leadership lessons, and relationships built throughout the event all pointed toward an industry moving faster, thinking bigger, and raising its standards higher than ever before.

What made the event especially important was not simply the products on display or the size of the crowd. It was the mindset shift happening across the industry. Contractors, remodelers, manufacturers, and business leaders are beginning to understand that long term success will belong to companies willing to keep evolving. The future is favoring businesses that can adapt faster, embrace innovation earlier, invest deeply in people, and create customer experiences built on trust and consistency.