The International Builders’ Show 2022 in Orlando, Florida

What an amazing week! Other than the rain and wind, Orlando was everything we hoped it would be and more! Here is a glimpse at our first ever home show.

Greg Dahl, our lead artisan, worked many 18 hour days leading up to the IBS show, perfecting a handful of pieces of functional epoxy resin and wood burl furniture to showcase F2’s craftsmanship. We fitted the trailer with hooks, straps, and braces to stabilize the pieces for the long trek from Oregon to Florida.

This event was intense, to say the least. As the new kids on the block, we were thankful to the Freeman staff who sent supplies and muscle when we needed it, taught us the ropes, and helped us navigate the red tape.

The conference center was like a small city. In fact, we each clocked over five miles of walking on day 1! We were blown away at the vast array of businesses participating in the event. Attendees of the event spent three days participating in networking opportunities, presentations, and touring the vendor exhibition hall..

A few of our neighbors really stood out in our memory and we hope to work with them in the future.

• Next door: Residential Elevators – they set up two working elevators in the middle of the exhibit hall! It was incredible to ride up to the virtual second floor and see the expansive event from that vantage point.

• Across the aisle, our new friends, World Coppersmith, with hand-pounded copper sinks, bathtubs, fire pits and more. We couldn’t help but dream of our countertops with their sinks. Perhaps for IBS 2023?

• Down the lane were Stoll Industries, who we found to be like-hearted in the sense that our business model is to honor God before anything else. In addition to their kind and generous staff, their enormous booth served as a lovely lounge area!

• It was a treat to also see our friend and Oregon neighbor, Dominique Main, representing her company Epcon Communities at the event.

We spent our days meeting creative inspirational contractors, designers and builders. We spent the evening bonding as a team and getting excited about the future.

It was truly an honor to participate in such an incredible event and we look forward to next year in Las Vegas!

On his way home from the show, Greg personally delivered a few large custom furniture pieces to their new homes, spending time with our new friends and making future plans. This beauty was delivered to Georgia.

The conference table and bar are now a part of a new home design in Nashville, TN.

Tennessee was a very happy ending to the IBS adventure. Greg had an up close and personal experience with these exotic animals thanks to our new friends at the Nashville Zoo!

The trip left us full of excitement and anticipation when looking toward the future.