Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2015 36 t he show also owes its success to the creation of Design & Construction Week™. Since 2015, KBIS, in conjunction with the International Builders' Show (IBS), owned by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), anchored the week-long mega-event, which also included the International Window Coverings Expo, Winter 2015 Las Vegas Market, and The International Surface Event—SURFACES and Tile Expo. As NKBA CEO Bill Darcy states, bringing Design and Construction Week™ to the industry is a major accomplishment for the two associations, which has resulted in a vibrant forum to get business done in the kitchen and bath industry. The two associations have also announced that their shows will continue to co-locate together through 2020 as one of the world's largest gatherings focused on new ideas, products and technologies to design, build and remodel homes. In order to best cater to the industry's relentless hunger for business growth and professional development, the show will continue to ensure that attendees and exhibitors have access to the best experiences and opportunities possible. Not to mention, NKBA members will be privy to numerous benefits at the show that would give them added opportunities to network and learn, as well as partake in the overall KBIS experience at significantly discounted rates. Member attendees receive substantial discounts on show registration (including a free early bird registration period), conference sessions and NKBA courses, and have many avenues to engage in networking events hosted by the association. The NKBA opens up many windows of opportunities to be inspired and connect with fellow industry professional at one premier venue, and to do it affordably as a member. At KBIS 2015, the Voices From The Industry conference program, offered continuing education units (CEUs) from the NKBA as well as several other industry associations, such as NAHB, NARI, and AIA. The hour-long information sessions ran over the three day show period, providing attendees with the valuable opportunity of participating in presentations from their industry peers on a variety of current topics and trends. The show also offered on-site, 11 courses covering topics such as recruiting and hiring, decorative plumbing, creative thinking, customer service, and sales. All courses were taught by top instructors and were designed to further develop an industry professional's career. The NKBA will continue to develop a higher level of awareness and continued enhancement of international exhibitions, education, and networking opportunities for the kitchen and bath industry. On the show floor, the NKBA Booth was a hub of activities, offering numerous complimentary programs and presenta- tions at Center Stage through the three-day show period. Programs included an introduction to the newly inducted NKBA 30 U 30 group, the first-ever NKBA U Professional of the Year presentations and winner announcements, and HGTV's Open Auditions. Center Stage also featured an interesting line-up of presentations from industry leaders such as Houzz, Dwell Media, HomeAdvisor, Cosentino, and Chief Architect among more. 2015 Marks A BANNER YEAR

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