Design & Construction Week, the largest gathering for the residential design and construction market, will return in-person for the first time in two years, Feb. 8-10, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The mega-event combines the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show. 

DCW is expected to host more than 1,000 exhibitors displaying products and services throughout more than 800,000 square feet of trade show space. The show offers attendees the chances to check out top products and attend educational opportunities all with the opportunity to once again personally make industry connections. 

There are events that bring together attendees planning to be at both KBIS and IBS, including the following: 

  • The DCW Opening Ceremonies, 8-9 a.m., Feb. 8 features basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
  • Join industry peers for The Bash, 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Hosted by the NKBA for all DCW attendees. 

Although the exhibit space is shared between the two trade groups, each association also has educational programs and special events tailored for builders and designers. Let’s take a look of some highlights for each. For the latest updates, log on to www.kbis.com and  www.buildersshow.com. 

KBIS 

One major new feature this year will be the KBIS 2022 Kickstarter Zone, offering new-to-market residential design and construction brands who have not previously exhibited at KBIS the opportunity to purchase a special introductory exhibit package. 

Located in the of the South Hall Discovery District, Kickstarter Zone exhibitors will receive free entry into a special KBIS Kickstarter Competition. Participating exhibitors will be invited to present to key industry leaders in a “Shark Tank” style setting, outlining what makes their products unique and innovative. Winners will receive media exposure and cash prizes. A “People’s Choice Award” will allow attendees to vote for their favorite Kickstarter brand.  

The South Hall is also the place to find the KBIS NeXTStage, one of the most popular show destinations. 

NeXTStage stage will host more than 20 programs, including four awards events and more than 60 presentations. 

Topics for the 2022 programming grid include how the generational divide is impacting design and lifestyles, how to integrate diversity and inclusion practices into your business, what’s happening in healthy home and resilient design, how to manage your business for today’s new realities and more. 

Here is a preview of some of the sessions: 

  • Shift Forward: This two-part session is designed to comprehensively understand societal shifts impacting our country today. A 45-minute presentation will set the table, giving panel participants a platform from which to dive into specific topics including how to drive business success and new opportunities through a better understanding of diversity and inclusion, demographic differences, the role of social commerce and more.
    The Language of Luxury: This panel will deliver a solid set of takeaways that include how to find, engage, and nurture the luxury client. Position and market yourself and your business to speak the language that attracts and develops the ultra-high end client base.
  • Responsible Design: The concept of designing for permanence and adopting regenerative design practices can feel overwhelming but is necessary. Join this panel of experts to learn adaption strategies to build into your projects like the inclusion of upcycled and recycled products and components, managing water, reducing carbon footprints, and selecting responsible products from manufacturers who are making a difference.
  • Compound Interests: How to design for the generational divide in a time when fading generational wealth and polarizing design sensibilities are instilling different values. Identify what is important to each generation and how to bridge the gap.
  • Work It: Embrace new technologies and alternative thinking to not only enhance your traditional practice but also develop new income streams. Hear from the experts who have adapted and thrived as they share the ups and downs on the way to success.
  • Tech Point: As the demand for technology solutions increases, learn from the experts about seamless tech integration. Whole-home technology integrators identify the brands and products you need to know and understand, discussing how to incorporate them into residential kitchen and bath projects.
  • Social Showdown: Are you jumping on the TikTok bandwagon? Join a panel of experts who present advanced thinking behind popular social platforms to determine what’s right for you. Compare the benefits of Instagram, TikTok and more, taking away practical advice to develop your marketing mix. 

The stage will also feature NKBA Designer Finds in which design pros share products they’ve spotted at the trade show. Four awards will also be presented:

 

  • The Best of KBIS 2022 Awards, sponsored by Luxe Interiors + Design, celebrates the best new kitchen and bath products of 2022.  
  • The NKBA 30s Choice Awards recognizes 10 categories of products, selected by the NKBA 2022 Thirty Under 30 class.
  • The NKBA Renovation Angel Luxury Recycled Kitchen Awards showcases the brands, products and projects that are upcycled and recycled to keep furnishings and finishes from hitting the landfill.
  • The Best of KBIS Booth Awards, honoring the most innovative and effective booth presentations.   

The South Hall is also the place to find the Design Milk X Modenus Lounge; the Discovery District; the NKBA Global Connect Pavilion and the NKBA German Global Connect Pavilion. Meanwhile, the West Hall features the NKBA booth, along with other legacy KBIS exhibitors. 

In other educational opportunities, CEUs will be offered to all who attend the Voices from the Industry Conference, which features more than 80 live and on-demand sessions. VFTI has six categories: Grow Your Business, Kitchen & Bath Specialty Training, Design, Management, Customer Service and newly added Building & Remodeling. A full schedule is available here: bit.ly/3lKKo40

Other planned events include: 

  • NKBA State of the Association; open to all KBIS attendees, 8:30-10:15 a.m., Feb. 9, featuring NKBA CEO Bill Darcy recapping challenges, initiatives and positive results achieved since COVID-19 gripped the globe. He’ll chronicle the resilience of the NKBA and the industry in meeting those challenges and surpassing expectations and provide a roadmap to the future for the most vibrant and progressive trade organization serving K&B design, remodeling, sales and manufacturing.
  • State of the Industry/Annual Meeting of NKBA Membership; open to all KBIS attendees, which immediately follows Darcy’s presentation. Ginny Clarke, leadership strategist and former director of executive recruiting at Google will discuss a five-dimensional approach to true leadership. She’ll discuss the root causes leading to a lack of diversity in organizations, and provide thoughtful, integrated solutions that anyone can use to affect change.
  • One other major event worth noting is A Night of Elegance (ticket required), featuring the NKBA Design Competition & Industry Awards, 6:30-11 p.m., Feb. 7. This event honors the winners of the prestigious 2022 NKBA Design Competition, Chairman’s Award, sales awards and more. 

IBS 

Attendees with an All-Access Pass or One-day Education + Expo Pass will have access to more than 110 education sessions led by well-known experts on a wide range of industry topics. Three different session types — Building Knowledge Sessions, Game Changer Sessions and Tech Bytes Sessions — offer different approaches to important topics.  

For a deeper dive into specifics, attendees can also participate in Pre-Show Master Workshops – three-hour intensive programs held on Feb. 7, the day before the show officially begins. These workshops are part of pre-show education and will be open to all registered attendees for an additional fee. 

Topics covered at the Master Workshops include the following: 

  • Leveraging Health, Wellness & High Performance Solutions to Meet Demand
  • The Power of Dynamic Thinking: Embracing Change as the New Normal
  • Essential Tools for Healthy Business Growth: Building a Foundation for Profitability & Sanity
  • Marketing Strategies for the Future: Level Out & Level Up 

In addition, the IBS Centrals are meant to be more informal than traditional education session, and include session under 55+ Housing; Custom Building; Design Central; Multifamily; Remodeling and Sales. 

For a full schedule of education, log on here: bit.ly/3GKigq7

 Plus, IBS attendees will have the opportunity to experience new show destinations, including three new zones to highlight innovations in residential construction: 

  • IBS Start-Up Zone: Featuring the most innovative start-ups in the residential construction and development industry to give attendees a glimpse into the future.
  • New Product Zone: Featuring the latest products and cutting-edge market solutions.
  • Home Tech Zone: Featuring a variety of interactive demos and experiences that explore the most in-demand home tech products, and the infrastructure and back-end requirements for preparing and installing these technologies.

In addition, show favorites, such as The High Performance Building Zone and IBS Jobsite Safety Zone will return to the show floor to feature construction demos led by building science experts to improve home efficiency and workplace safety. 

More innovative building technologies, emerging design trends and the latest building products will be on display at NAHB’s official IBS show homes, The New American Home and The New American Remodel.

Finally, here a few other events for the IBS crowd:

  • IBS House Party, the largest official networking event, will kick off at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 8, at Mango’s Tropical Café.
  • IBS Young Pro Party (ticket required) will take place at 8 p.m., Feb. 9. If you’re under 40, head to Blake Shelton’s Ole Red for a performance from country star Craig Morgan who has helped party sponsor Pfister with its American Plumber Stories docuseries. 
  • The IBS Closing Concert (ticket required) will take place at 6 p.m., Feb. 10, featuring  country superstar Trace Adkins.