All news
2010 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show Draws Nearly 30 Percent Increase In Attendees Compared To Last Year
Contacts:
Jim Lee / Chrissy Cox
Wagstaff Worldwide, Inc.
(312) 943-6900
jim@wagstaffworldwide.com / chrissy@wagstaffworldwide.com
World’s largest show dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry hosts top manufacturers, industry heavyweights and national media
ATLANTA, GA (May 17, 2010) - The National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) 47th annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) drew more than 37,000 attendees including some of the most recognized brands in the kitchen and bath industry at Chicago’s McCormick Place on April 16-18, 2010. Nearly 700 exhibitors showcased their most innovative and latest products in more than 300,000 square feet of expo space.
The three-day event brought together the industry’s top dealers, designers, builders, remodelers, retailers, and other professionals directly involved in the design and remodel of residential kitchens and bathrooms. In addition to the flurry of activity on the tradeshow floor, which was the common experience observed by most exhibitors this year, KBIS was also complemented by a full conference program led by top industry leaders including Sergio Zyman, former chief marketing officer of Coca- Cola who led the Opening Ceremony, and David Kohler, President & COO of Kohler Co. who provided the State of the Industry Address.
"It was an excellent show and you could really sense the extraordinary energy at KBIS this year," said Nicolas Grohe, director of marketing and product development for Hansgrohe. "Perhaps it’s a sign that the economy is picking up, which is good news for all kitchen and bath manufacturers."
"KBIS is utilized as the world stage to launch our latest and most innovative appliances, and 2010 was no exception. The reception we received at our booth this year was filled with enthusiasm and excitement," said Laurence Mawhinney, president of Fisher & Paykel Appliances North America.
More than 500 journalists registered to cover the show this year, including national design television shows from the DIY Network and HGTV, along with a number of print and online journalists representing major industry trade publications, daily newspapers, national consumer magazines, news wire services and industry blogs. A 30-minute KBIS special is set to air on the DIY Network on Thursday, May 25 at 9 p.m. (ET).
Television personalities and celebrity chefs mingled with guests and added an extra dynamic to this year’s show, including Ed Sanders of ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition;" Anne Burrell of Food Network’s "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef;" Curtis Stone of TLC’s "Take Home Chef;" Monica Pedersen of HGTV’s "Designed to Sell;" and Bill Rancic from A&E’s "We Mean Business."
"KBIS is always a wonderful opportunity for industry participants to showcase the latest product innovations to distributors and design professionals, and this year's show was no exception. In fact, we were busier than ever at the booth – nothing replaces the chance to interact face-to-face with customers and key media and to give them a personalized tour of highlights from our collection," said Gary Anderson, president of Aquatic.
The winners of the 2010 Best of KBIS Competition were selected for their functionality, quality, flexibility, aesthetics, style and innovation; introduced to the market in the past 12 months; and, for the first time, eligible to win in two new categories: Universal Design and Green/Sustainable Products. The panel of judges included Kimball Derrick, CKD, of Kimball Derrick, LLC; Jamie Gibbs, of Jamie Gibbs Associates; Jennifer Gilmer, CKD, of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd.; Kristin Okeley, CKD, ASID, of Kitchens by Design; Susan Serra, CKD, of Susan Serra Associates; David Stimmel, of Stimmel Consulting Group; and Richard Walters, of Visualize Inc. King Slide and TOTO USA highlighted the competition by winning "Best of Kitchen" and "Best of Bath," respectively.
On Friday, April 16, the NKBA proudly announced the winners of the 2010 NKBA Design Competition following the review of hundreds of entries. More than $100,000 in cash prizes was awarded to designers across the country including James Howard, Tim Scott, Ada Pagona, Ines Hanl, Brian Johnson, and John Sylvestre.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association is pleased to showcase the best kitchens and bathrooms created by NKBA designers over the past year," said Mark Karas, 2010 president of the NKBA. "These spaces are the epitome of expert form and function."
To view the list of 2010 Best of KBIS Competition winners, visit www.kbis.com; and to see the full list of winners from the 2010 NKBA Design Competition, visit www.NKBA.org/press.
KBIS will return next year to the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 26-28, 2011. For all updates leading up to the show, visit www.kbis.com.
KBIS 2010 Photos: To download photos from this year’s show, please click here. (Photo credit: Oscar Einzig Photography)
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, an extensive glossary of remodeling terms, and illustrations and explanations of planning guidelines. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and order the free NKBA Kitchen & Bath Workbook. To learn more, visit the NKBA Press Room at NKBA.org/Press or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).
About Kitchen and Bath Business (K+BB)
K+BB magazine, published by the Nielsen Company, reaches 34,000 interior designers, architects, kitchen design specialists, custom builders and remodelers each month. This magazine blends exclusive features on cutting-edge business developments, installations and industry personalities with solid market research. K+BB was the first magazine to recognize and serve this industry, and continues to provide progressive and insightful coverage of the industry's products, trends, and services, with a sophisticated visual style befitting a design-oriented readership. For more information, please visit
www.kbbonline.com.