Gearing up for the return of a healthy home building and remodeling market, manufacturers and suppliers have stepped up plans for exhibit spaces for the new Design and Construction Week, when the International Builders' Show (IBS) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) join forces for a mega-exhibit in Las Vegas Feb. 4-6, 2014.

Exhibit sales are up by 16 percent over last year, and that's good news for attendees of both shows: IBS, presented by the National Association of Home Builders, and KBIS, the annual show of the National Kitchen and Bath Association - already the two leading trade events in the residential design and construction market.

Since the announcement earlier this year IBS and KBIS would co-locate to create the first annual Design and Construction Week, IBS has already reeled back in more than 60 companies that had left the show during the building downturn. The result: more than 20,000 square feet of new exhibit space.

Nearly 90 other companies have increased the size of their exhibit spaces by more than 30,000 square feet. Exhibit space for KBIS is already 90 percent sold.

"Design and Construction Week offers manufacturers and suppliers the unique opportunity to reach two very large audiences for thecost of exhibiting in one trade show,"said Mark Pursell, NAHB's senior vice president of Exposition Marketing & Sales. "That, combined with an improving housing market, is translating into these bigger exhibit space sales. We are seeing more and more companies returning to exhibit after sitting out for several years."

Among the companies back in the show:Electrolux Home Appliances, Pro Build Holdings, Masterbrand Cabinets, BSH Appliances,Caesarstone USA, Rinnai and Viega.

"With an emphasis on our exhibitor and attendee experience, there is no question that Design and Construction Week will create an unparalleled value to the marketplace," said Brian Pagel, Nielsen Expositions kitchen and bath group vice president.

"Clearly, the co-location of these two great events, together with the steady climb in home building and remodeling projects, are being well received by our industry's' manufacturers and suppliers," Pursell added.

The first annual Design and Construction Week takes place Feb. 4-6, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.