Retail Observer

NOVEMBER 2023 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 61 and included members from two sister chapters, Maine and Southern New England. NNE Chapter president, Rick Lopes planned the event and persuaded his then company, European Granite & Marble, to hold the event in its warehouse in Norwood, MA. The festivities culminated in a special birthday cake and a group photo op with all attendees lining up with their lobster bibs, headgear, and balloons. Despite the rain, the Mid Atlantic Chapter's 60th Anniversary Event at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, NJ on Aug. 24 was a success, thanks to those who planned it: Chapter president Brianna Weiler of New Hope Cabinets, Baths & Kitchens by Charles Weiler and Mid Atlantic Chapter officers including Programs Chair Michael Kaestner, CLIPP, Kaestner Designs; Communications Chair Kristal Fascella, Bucks County Cabinetry & Design; Membership Chair Leions George, Spectrum Quartz; and Secretary/Treasurer James Fox, Fox Woodworking LLC. Even with the inclement weather and canceled scavenger hunt, the party took place as planned in a gazebo of the restaurant, Rat's, attached to Grounds for Sculpture. Over 50 members attended to reminisce and celebrate not only NKBA's 60th Anniversary, but the Mid Atlantic Chapter's as well. "60 Years of NKBA means 60 Years of the Mid Atlantic Chapter," said Weiler. "That's right! You all have bragging rights for being Members of the founding chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association." The 60th Anniversary Events hosted by the association's chapters will continue throughout the fall and winter, all the way up to KBIS 2024. The Manhattan Chapter celebrated on Oct. 26 at the A+D Building in New York City, with a 60th Anniversary after-party sponsored by Dacor following the Chapter's Education Day. The Northern California Chapter event in San Francisco on Nov. 2, sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite, will occur after the Chapter's Awards Gala, and the Georgia Chapter event will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta on Nov. 16. Early in 2024, the Baltimore/Washington Chapter will have its event, followed by the Dacor-sponsored Southern California Chapter event. MORE FESTIVITIES TO FOLLOW In addition to its live celebrations, NKBA has launched a 60th Anniversary landing page (https://kb.nkba.org/60th-anniversary/). Each month, the page highlights a new decade with articles and featured content, starting with the 2020s. This page also features K&B innovations and trends from each decade, NKBA milestones, past association volunteers and more. This coming KBIS, NKBA's 60th Anniversary celebrations will come to an end…but it will then be time to celebrate 60 years of KBIS! In addition to the trade show's many new programming and show floor areas — such as the Luxury Stage, which will focus on the evolving nature of luxury in residential design — there will a toast to KBIS at 60! This will occur on the last day of the trade show, Feb. 29, on the NEXTStage in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center and will include a celebratory toast and a look back at KBIS history — champagne and cake included! To register for KBIS 2024 from Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas, please go to: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowKBI241/ RO Left to right: from the team at Abbrio Kitchen and Bath, Kim Koontz, Sales Consultant, Alisha Ottosen, Sales Consultant and Amy Olson, Showroom Manager, at the Olympic West Sound Chapter Left to right: Wayne Martin of William & Wayne Textiles, Furniture and More, Judith A. Neary, CMKBD, of Roadside Attraction Design Studio, William Kilbourne of William & Wayne Textiles, Furniture and More

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