iBuild Showcase

The iBuild Showcase is an annual exposition hosted by NICE, bringing together thousands of middle and high school students and their educators under one roof at the Kansas City Convention Center. The 2026 Showcase takes place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

At iBuild, participants engage in dozens of hands‑on, career‑focused activities including nail‑driving contests, bricklaying, roof installation, CAD drafting, and heavy equipment operation like excavators and cranes. They interact face‑to‑face with professionals and exhibitors representing trades such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, roofing, civil engineering, and more.

Students gain firsthand exposure to the diversity and technical skill of construction careers—from learning how to walk a beam safely, handle surveying tools, and use precision drafting software, to understanding solar panel energy efficiency and safety protocols. Feedback from attendees consistently highlights newfound respect for trade professionals, expanded career awareness, and clarity on apprenticeships, college, and skilled‑trade pathways.

Supported by industry partners—contractors, utilities, unions, educational institutions—the iBuild Showcase fulfills NICE’s mission to bridge education and the built‑environment workforce. It offers educators and students a comprehensive, immersive learning environment to explore opportunities in architecture, engineering, construction management, and skilled trades.