Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM AUGUST 2017 60 A S S O C I A T I O N N E W S T he world's premier kitchen and bath trade show is just a few months away, (January 9-11, 2018) in Orlando, FL, and NKBA is rolling out a full slate of new features, speakers and interactive sessions. One of the most important opportunities made possible at the show is networking and communicating with different segments of the overall industry. For the fifth year, KBIS will co-locate with the National Association of Home Builders' International Builders' Show (IBS) for the annual Design & Construction Week. All attendees will have access to both show floors, featuring an unprecedented number of resources, vendors, and new merchandise across all areas of the remodeling, design, and building arenas. Among this year's most significant developments is the first-time addition of a pavilion for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), situated on the KBIS floor. "This is a collaborative effort to bring these design communities together," says Suzie Williford, NKBA vice president of industry relations. CEDIA, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association, will return with a pavilion on the IBS show floor. As a testament to the vigorous growth of the show, KBIS will cover more than 400,000 square feet for the first time in many years, stretching across two massive halls in the Orange County Convention Center. More than 40,000 industry professionals are expected to attend, making this the can't-miss event of the year. KBIS will showcase more than 600 exhibitors — including 100 new companies — and is excited to welcome back vendors such as Míele and Samsung. KBIS offers thousands of new products and innovations in technology. Also returning is KBIS' outdoor pavilion, featuring products and design dedicated to outdoor cooking — an area of rapid growth in kitchen trends. NKBA is bringing 350 chapter officers to KBIS for training prior to the show. "We believe in and appreciate the volunteers and the time and energy they devote to the association," says Williford, "and we feel this is a great way to thank them, and sending them off with better training to serve their memberships." The association will have two booths at this year's show, one on each floor. One will introduce its new, enhanced web site, and the other is dedicated to "future industry professionals," including students and Millennials. As part of its drive to build membership among young aspirants in design, retail and other facets of the kitchen and bath business, NKBA will bring its 30 Under 30 winners to the show, offering them numerous networking opportunities. Voices From The Industry will again feature a robust slate of industry leaders sharing their knowledge and expertise in such areas as implementing growth in business, customer service, best practices, and much more. Interactive lab sessions are designed to engage attendees with a hands-on learning experience. The Next Stage, a venue within the show sponsored by HomeAdvisor, will offer an array of compelling presentations, including designing for Airbnb, considerations when designing to accommodate various disabilities, and the ever-popular Design Bites, nuggets of creative inspiration. And what's a trade show without a party or two? This year, on Monday, January 8, just prior to the launch of the main event, NKBA's Design and Industry Awards ceremony will take place, followed by a spectacular opening-night party at the Rosen Centre in Orlando. On Wednesday, January 10, celebrate a successful show at The Bash, with a night of dancing and fun at Mango's Tropical Café. Registration opened August 1. For more information and to register, visit www.kbis.com, or www.nkba.org and click on the KBIS 2018 Orlando link under Industry Opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there! KBIS: WHAT'S ON TAP KBIS is back, bigger and better RO

• Cover