Well-attended education sessions, the Trade Show Grand Opening, and a keynote address from Brett Culp were among the highlights of Day Two of the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show in Sacramento, California.
The registration desk remained busy on Friday as conventiongoers streamed in to take advantage of a full day of education and networking, and to see the latest products from more than 140 building enclosure product manufacturers and service providers.
The first block of morning education included sessions on building enclosure performance verification testing, cladding at the American Museum of National History, and how to understand fire resistant code standards. Trent Cotney provided a look at contract provisions and other emerging trends ahead of separate sessions focused on fenestration, innovative stone panels and LEED requirements, and low-slope roofing enhancements to address severe climate risks.
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada held a board meeting, after which IIBEC chapters presented the foundation with donations to the foundations’ work.
The afternoon kicked off with region lunches, followed by the opening ceremony, sponsored by Johns Manville. After IIBEC Second Vice President Burt Carver, RRC, RRO, encouraged attendees to move to the “beat of innovation,” the Mandarins Drumline entered the auditorium to energize the crowd for the rest of the opening ceremony.
IIBEC Executive Vice President and CEO Brian Pallasch, CAE, reminded thecrowd that IIBEC’s Certified Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (CBECxP) certification program has been accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the international standard ISO/IEC 17024. He also promoted IIBEC’s 2027 International Convention and Trade Show, which will take place March 18–21, in San Antonio, Texas.
IIBEC President Chris Dawkins, PE, took the stage to welcome attendees and to highlight the more than 300 first-time attendees of an IIBEC convention. He also celebrated the new IIBEC Sacramento Valley Branch and looked forward to tomorrow’s announcement of the winners of IIBEC’s Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting Awards.
Dawkins then introduced the keynote speaker, filmmaker Brett Culp, whose keynote address, “Superhero Leadership in Uncertain Times,” used clips from his filmmaking to inspire audiences to lead with authenticity, humility, and service.
Following closing remarks, a drumline led the audience out of the auditorium and to the grand opening of the trade show, which stayed open into the evening and will be open again Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon PT. Other Saturday highlights include the annual Awards Ceremony, the Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting Awards presentation, additional blocks of education sessions, and the Emerging Professionals Reception.
