Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2018 10 T he 2018 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the destination for kitchen and bath design professionals, welcomed designers, builders, dealers, and kitchen and bath showroom professionals along with more than 600 exhibitors to Orlando this last January. Early, unverified estimates suggest an increase in professional attendance over the previous year—the fifth consecutive year of professional attendee growth. Floor space was also up, expanding to over 400,000 square feet in 2018. KBIS 2019 will take place February 19-21 in Las Vegas. "KBIS 2018 was incredible. Exhibitors introduced amazing new innovations this year and the energy on the show floor was electric. What a positive start to the new year for our industry," said Suzie Williford, vice president of industry relations and chief strategy officer, National Kitchen & Bath Association. "The kitchen and bath industry is strong and growing. From our most recent research study, the NKBA expects growth to continue throughout 2018. Our community of manufacturers, design professionals, showrooms, and builders has an incredible opportunity to carry the momentum gained at KBIS forward throughout the year." "Thank you to our KBIS attendees and exhibiting brands who continue to support us year after year," said Brian Pagel, senior vice president, Emerald Expositions. "I'm very proud of the entire KBIS team, who once again delivered an exceptional show experience to our audience. KBIS continues to grow and thrive as the kitchen and bath industry's premier annual event. We're now seeing KBIS becoming a must-attend event for more and more global brands and designers as well; a testament to the value KBIS brings the industry as a whole. We look forward to bringing the KBIS community together once again when we move to Las Vegas in 2019." HIGHLIGHTS FROM KBIS 2018 The NKBA once again hosted the State of the Association address, with CEO Bill Darcy, and State of the Industry discussion, with a panel of industry experts discussing annual design trends and economic research studies taking place in the kitchen and bath industry, which is valued at more than $147 billion. Moderating this year's panel was Fox News and Fox Business anchor Melissa Francis. She was joined by David Kohler, president and CEO of Kohler Co.; Rick Hasselbeck, Chief Commercial Officer of GE Appliances; and Scott Culbreth, SVP & CFO of American Woodmark Corp. During Darcy's State of the Association address, he revealed results of the latest NKBA research, "2017-2018 Kitchen and Bath Market Outlook." The study revealed that homeowners spent over $ 54.4 billion for major/complete kitchen remodels and over $ 38.5 billion for major/complete bath remodels in 2016. The study projects the U.S. residential kitchen and bath market will increase more than 10% in 2017 to an estimated $163 billion, and estimates the market will grow an additional 9 % to $178 billion in 2018. EXCITEMENT E L E C T R I F I E S THE KBIS SHOW FLOOR

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