Retail Observer

APRIL 2018 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 13 RO EXCITEMENT E L E C T R I F I E S THE KBIS SHOW FLOOR The panel discussion immediately followed, and the executives spoke about macroeconomic issues affecting the residential building and remodeling industry, the tight labor market, changes in U.S. trade policies, and more. On the KBIS show floor, programs for attendees to network, learn and connect with members of the industry extended throughout all three days, with much of the activity taking place at the NKBA presents KBISNeXT Stage, sponsored by HomeAdvisor, and at 80 the Voices from the Industry Conference educational sessions. KBIS continued its coveted Best of KBIS Awards this year, sponsored again by Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Traditional Home, and Dream Kitchens & Baths magazine brands from the Meredith Corp. The judging committee scoured the KBIS show floor discovering the best innovations introduced at KBIS 2018. Several brands were recognized, with Kallista taking home Best in Show for its new product, Grid. The KBIS Innovative Showroom Awards were also front and center this year, sponsored again by LIXIL Americas Brands – American Standard, DXV and GROHE, with incredible submissions from showrooms across the country. Our KBIS Innovative Showroom advisory board had the exciting challenge of selecting winners in six categories, ultimately naming Empire Kitchen & Bath as the Overall Award Winner. The NKBA, along with KBIS, hosted the This Old House team and kicked off 2018 by supporting the Generation Next philanthropic campaign to encourage and empower young people to join the skilled trades. Norm Abram, Kevin O'Connor, and This Old House personalities took to the Fairway Architectural Railing Stage in the KBIS Backyard to speak about the great work done by the Design & Construction Week industry partners throughout 2017, and all of the work yet to be done in 2018. The NKBA got the ball rolling with a $10,000 donation. The event included a silent auction and raffle on stage. All proceeds from the campaign went to the Skilled Labor Fund. Another feature this year — the KBISNeXT Stage — hosted design experts, celebrity hosts and young professionals, all sharing insights into the industry's need-to-know topics to educate, inspire and connect members of the kitchen and bath business. The stage kicked off on day one with excitement as Nancy Fire, Design Director for HGTV, sat down with Vanilla Ice, pop icon and host of DIY Network's The Vanilla Ice Project and Vanilla Ice Goes Amish, to discuss his approach to kitchen, bath and outdoor living design challenges. As a founding member of Design & Construction Week ® , and in collaboration with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), KBIS co-located with the International Builders' Show ( IBS) for the fifth consecutive year. KBIS is owned by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and will be held in Las Vegas, February 19th thru 21st 2019. Please visit www.KBIS.com for more information.

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