Retail Observer

JANUARY 2024 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 41 F EI Group is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 25th annual conference, where the company celebrated a quarter century of excellence in the interior and exterior finishes industry. The event, which took place October 18-20 at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, TX, brought together 700 industry professionals, thought leaders, and pioneers from around the country. The milestone conference marked a significant achievement for FEI Group, parent company of KBx and Kitchen & Bath Alliance, which has been at the forefront of innovation in the new home construction, multifamily, remodeling, and kitchen and bath segments since its establishment in 1998. Over the years, FEI Group has consistently strived to deliver unparalleled value to its clients, business partners, and the industry at large, while solidifying its position as a market leader and a beacon of excellence. The event featured impactful breakout sessions, workshops, and keynote speeches delivered by renowned experts in areas that included the economic landscape, the essentials for high-performance and healthy teams, the psychology behind marketing and messaging, workplace fraud, color and design, and much more. The sessions were designed to foster meaningful dialogue, a rich exchange of ideas, and actionable insights, and to provide attendees with the tools and knowledge they need to drive positive change in their organizations. One of the most important items on the agenda was SupplyConnect, FEI's tradeshow-style product event. "SupplyConnect is a unique opportunity for our member companies to have intentional, meaningful time with supply partners such as Dura Supreme, Richelieu, Wellborn, Masterbrand and dozens more," said Allison Rea, vice president of marketing for FEI Group. "In some cases, this is the only opportunity our smaller and medium-sized kitchen and bath member companies will have to connect with these product providers all year. We credit so much of the event's success to the participation of our supply community. We couldn't do what we do without them." Attendees also heard from several original FEI members and supply partners and honored FEI founders Andy Hogan and Randy McNatt with the Foundation Award, an acknowledgment of the sacrifices both made all those years ago. Now an annual tradition, the group packed 55,000 meals for No Child Hungry, all of which will be shipped to Maui for residents in need. No Child Hungry was established in 2013 as the feeding program of My Neighbor's Children. Working with corporate and community-based groups, No Child Hungry packs nutritious meals, holds drives, and works with the groups to give the meals to people in need. In keeping with its work-hard, play-hard mentality, the FEI Group National Conference always includes some fun. After a full day of workshops, the group traveled to Knibbe Ranch, a beautiful working cattle ranch just outside San Antonio. Western wear was encouraged and enthusiastically supported, and the Jody Jenkins Band kept the crowd on its cowboy boot-clad feet. "We are thrilled to celebrate this remarkable milestone and to have the opportunity to host such a successful conference," said Brian Penabad, senior vice president of FEI Group. "The interactive breakout sessions and thought-provoking discussions have undoubtedly set the stage for the next phase of growth and evolution within our industry." As FEI Group reflects on its first 25 years of accomplishments, it looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence, innovation, and customer-centric solutions in the years to come. FEI Group is a leading interior and exterior finishes organization that has been at the forefront of innovation since 1998. With a focus on delivering exceptional solutions and services, FEI Group has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to thrive in the rapidly evolving new home construction, multifamily, remodeling, and kitchen and bath segments. Vsit www.feigroup.net for more information about FEI Group and its future endeavors. RO

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