The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a major Chinese trade association that will bring a large number of additional manufacturers and product options to the annual NAHB International Builders' Show in Las Vegas in January 2013.

A formal signing ceremony was held April 19 in Foshan, China, between officials from the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association and NAHB's Immediate Past Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder and developer in Reno, Nev., and Mark Pursell, NAHB Senior Vice President for Exhibitions, Marketing and Sales.

"This agreement is a big win for both organizations," Nielsen said. "The China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association is one of the most important building product groups in the world. By joining NAHB's annual exhibition its members get access to the premier residential construction trade show in America, and people attending the IBS will have the opportunity to see a greater range of products than they can see at any other residential building trade show in the U.S."

Nielsen noted that the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association represents international producers of a wide range of products for the residential construction industry, and said "their decision to exhibit at the International Builders' Show underscores the importance of NAHB's annual convention and exhibition."

Nielsen and Pursell have spent the last week as guests of the Chinese association, where they have discussed economic news and forecasts and provided an introduction to the U.S. home building industry to audiences of the leading manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom fixtures, tile finishes and other products.

"The International Builders' Show enables members of the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association and its members to show their products to the largest audience of housing industry professionals in the United States. It is the premier venue for international exhibitors who want to introduce their products into the American home building and remodeling market," Nielsen said. "NAHB is very happy to welcome this new group of manufacturers to our annual trade show."

In addition, the two NAHB leaders have given presentations to the China Hardware Association, the China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce and to Beijing Helivue, NAHB's trade representative in that country.

"As the American home building market begins to right itself, NAHB needs to ensure that a wide range of products for all segments of the industry are showcased at the International Builders' Show," Nielsen said. "We welcome the manufacturers and suppliers of the China Building Ceramics & Sanitaryware Association and are confident that this agreement represents the beginning of a long and successful partnership."