The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), in conjunction with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), is fired up and ready to kick off at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 19-21. For over 50 years, KBIS has been at the helm of the Kitchen and Bath industry. This is a must-attend event for architects, builders, designers, installers, students, distributors and any one else interested in what the industry has to offer.

KBIS 2016 will host over 500 leading brands, including 40 new companies. The interactive event will span across two halls, showcasing products and professionals who will be available to answer questions. Attendees will have access to four shows, as KBIS once again co-locates with the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) for the third Annual Design and Construction Week. Partner events include The International Surface Event (TISE) and the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE).

KBIS anticipates a wide range of professionals in attendance. Last year’s show experienced more than 33,119 industry influencers — a six percent increase over 2014. Past attendees have praised the show as an action-packed event neatly sandwiched between three days.

“Having multiple shows in one city in a three-day period is a dream come true. It allows us to contact more suppliers, view more product and be extremely efficient with our time and our dollars. It is a win-win for everyone and we won’t miss the show!” said Barbara Byrd, owner of Kitchens By Design.

“This show is the only way I can easily and affordable see and learn about products that I need to provide better service for my clients,” said Carol Smith, owner of Eurotech Kuechen.

Education sessions

Attendees will get a hearty dose of education during the "Voices from the Industry "conference, which offers hour-long informational sessions that are grouped into 11 conference blocks. Some of these courses even provide continuing education units (CEUs). Attendees will be able to pick and choose from a palette of current hot topics and trends. Sessions are aligned to fit one of NKBA University’s learning paths: Design & Inspiration, Focus on the Customer, Business Management, and Sales & Marketing. The following is just a taste of what is sure to be an enlightening conference.

How to Target the Right Customers — James Nowakowski, president of Interline Creative Group, takes attendees through a presentation that is designed to empower businesses to “take control” of gaining new customers. In this session, business leaders are urged to find their role in a “three-part dance,” and how they can find, attract and nurture new business. Tuesday, January 19; Block 1; 10:30 – 11:30a.m.; NKBA: 0.1 CEU, 1.0 NARI CEU, NAHB: 1.0 CE Hour.

SketchUp Digital Design Software for Kitchen Design — Diane Dieterich, owner of See3D, takes attendees into the designer’s world, where she and others have been working to help clients see floor plans and material samples take on a three-dimensional life. Dieterich illustrates how programs like SketchUp can aid designers, architects and builders in understanding beyond the initial design of a complete home. Tuesday, January 19; Block 2; 12:30 – 1:30p.m.; NKBA: 0.1 CEU, NAHB: 1.0 CE Hour.

Selling to Design by NOT Designing to Sell — Jan Neiges, designer and president of Jan Neiges, speaks on a process that will help sales professionals maximize their time with a prospective client. Neiges shares her process that has consistently increased her closing ratio to 95 percent, providing examples of documents she shares with her clients and her communication process. Tuesday, Jan 19; Block 3; 2:30–3:30p.m.; NKBA CEU: 0.1, 1.0 NARI CEU, NAHB CE Hour: 1.0.

Solve Your Communication Challenges Using a Low-Cost Virtual Toolbox — NKBA’s Nancy Barnes, director of learning, and Amy Castillo, manager of college and student engagement, team up to discuss how low-cost solutions such as virtual classroom and collaboration tools, Blackboard Collaborate and Yammer, and social media, Facebook and Twitter, has helped NKBA transitioned away from costly in-person meetings to more efficient virtual meetings. Attendees will explore the benefits of using virtual tools and discover how to apply these techniques to their toughest of communication challenges. Wednesday, January 20; Block 6; 12:30 – 1:30p.m.; NKBA: 0.1 CEU, NAHB: 1.00 CE Hour.

Boomers vs. Millennials — The Great Design Challenge!  — Traci Kloos, senior design manager at Tarkett, breaks today’s customers into four different buying groups: essential buyers, authentic hunters, techno modernists and deco hipsters. This presentation dives into demographic data spanning the generations and looks at the trends and buying behavior in the kitchen and bath arena. Wednesday, January 20; Block 8; 2:30 – 3:30p.m.; NKBA: 0.1 CEU, 1.0 NARI CEU, NAHB: 1.0 CE Hour.

Adaptive ReUse: Transforming the Old into the New — Tamar Myers, sales and design principal of Myers Constructs Inc., explores why the old can be made new and even better again. Myers provides insight into why sustainability choices on renovating an existing structure are critical in the larger social construct. All of these lessons are universal and can be drawn upon to bring creativity to all projects. Thursday, January 21; Block 10; 11:00 a.m. – noon; NKBA: 0.1 CEU, 1.0 NARI CEU, NAHB: 1.00 CE Hour.

Events

Be sure to check out the NKBA Design Competition & Industry Awards, which honor the winners of the NKBA Design Competition and allows for a chance to network with top designers. Attendees are encouraged to connect over food and drinks with some of the industry’s finest. The event takes place Monday, January 19, at the Marquee Nightclub. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Headlining the ceremonies this year will be comedian Jay Leno and the Rhythm Extreme, drumming sensations who bang on anything they can get their hands on. Leno, an acclaimed TV legend, children’s book author, voice-over artist, car-lover, among many other titles, has been said to be “the hardest working man in show business.” The ceremony takes place on Tuesday, January 19, 8 :00– 9 :00a.m., at the Watergate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in the Paradise Event Center. It’s open to all guests, and seating is first-come, first-serve. Doors open at 7:00a.m. There are complimentary shuttle bus hours from 6:30 - 8:30a.m.
Another buzzing speaker this year is Shelly Palmer, managing director of Digital Media Group at Landmark Ventures/Shelly Palmer. Palmer will present the State of the Industry Address on Wednesday, January 20, from 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. Palmer will appeal to manufacturers and retailers and compel them to harness the emerging technology that will change the way consumers behave. Palmer is well-known as Fox 5 News New York’s on-air tech expert and for his work on the Emmy-nominated television show, Shelly Palmer Digital Living. This is a first-come, first-serve address.

Be sure to lace up your dancing shoes and check out The Bash, which is open to all Design & Construction Week attendees, on January 20, from 8:30 p.m.– 1:30 a.m., at XS Nightclub Encore; one of Vegas’ most exclusive clubs. Casual party attire is recommended, and attendees must be 21 years old or older.

Close out KBIS with the private concert by number-one selling duo in music history, Daryl Hall and John Oates. These Philadelphia natives are known for their distinctive “rock and soul” sound. Doors open at 5:00p.m. on Thursday, January 21, in the Paradise Event Center at the LVH Resort and Casino. The rockers will take the stage at 6:00p.m. There will be complementary shuttle bus service. Space is limited, so buy tickets online if you haven’t done so already. 

For more information, including event tickets, hotel and travel accommodations, as well as a complete list of speakers and education sessions, visit kbis.com.