Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2023 60 A S S O C I AT I O N [ N E W S ] T he kitchen and bath industry in the '60s was defined by many things: floral wallpapers, wood cabinets and vibrant appliances in the kitchen, and retro-patterned tiles and built- in furniture in the bath. In addition to the emerging popularity of these design trends, a significant K&B event occurred during this decade: in 1963, the National Kitchen & Bath Association — then the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers — was founded. Since then, NKBA has become the world's leading kitchen and bath association and the owner of KBIS, North America's largest kitchen and bath show. This year, NKBA celebrated 60 years in the K&B industry, starting in January at KBIS 2023 with a surprise special guest appearance by Kool & The Gang at the association's Design Awards and Opening Night party, a 1963-themed NKBA booth, and a dedicated toast on the NEXTStage by CEO Bill Darcy and EVP + CSO Suzie Williford. But this was just the beginning. CHAPTERS CELEBRATE NKBA'S 60TH NKBA invited all its 70 chapters to take part in a 60th Anniversary Events competition, with the winning chapters getting to host an anniversary event in collaboration with the association. The winning chapters were: Olympic-West Sound, Puget Sound, Northern New England, Mid-Atlantic, Manhattan, Northern California, Georgia, and Baltimore/Washington. The first NKBA | KBIS 60th Anniversary Event, hosted by the Olympic-West Sound and Puget Sound Chapters and sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite, took place on Aug. 2 in Seattle on the MV Skansonia, a historic ferry docked on North Lake Union. This event featured current and past chapter presidents, prizes and giveaways, and highlighted key moments in the history of NKBA and each chapter. Over 100 attendees heard from the chapters' past presidents and longtime members, with each telling a personal story or sharing a "tidbit of history." The Northern New England Chapter's 60th Anniversary Event, sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite, was a traditional lobster bake that took place on Aug. 16. Lobster, mussels, clams, and corn on the cob were a hit at the event, which drew about 100 attendees NKBA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS IN THE K&B INDUSTRY The association has marked the occasion with KBIS special events, special sections and special chapter events Left to right: Debra Bishop, CMKBD, of Dwell On It and Pam Greene, CMKBD, of Cargill Construction at the Northern New England Chapter NKBA KBIS 60th Anniversary Event Left to right: Suzie Wheeler of Rutt Quality Cabinetry, Jeannine Price of Redbarn Designworks and Brianna Weiler, Mid Atlantic Chapter president, of New Hope Cabinets

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