Kitchen & Bath Industry Show has another fantastic year, sees 5 percent growth

LAS VEGAS — Early predictions show a 5 percent growth in attendance at the 2015 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the largest North American platform devoted to kitchen and bath industry design.

KBSI wrapped up its 51st annual show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Visitors Center, Jan. 22. More than 500 exhibitors took part in the three-day show on Jan. 20-22, 2015. According to KBIS producers, Emerald Expositions, and show owners, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), early indicators show the 5 percent growth in verified attendance.

“Everything about this year’s show lived up to the promise of bigger, better and bolder,” said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. “We were thrilled, not only by the turnout, but by how many innovations were introduced by exhibitors this year. We couldn't be happier that the industry sees KBIS as the platform to successfully launch new products.”

The addition of 500,000-sq.ft. in the South Hall offered the opportunity to provide thought provoking, inspired ‘on floor’ programming, as well as additional exhibit space. Branded as KBISNeXTTM, the area was a destination for discovering the next ideas, trends and innovations in the kitchen and bath industry. In addition to programming on the KBISNeXT Stage, the area also featured a Tech Bar, and the FutureHaus Kitchen, presented by Virginia Tech.

Once again, the NKBA’s Voices From The Industry (VFTI) delivered huge value to attendees with more than 90 sessions in 11 conference blocks. Many of the sessions offered continuing education units (CEUs) from the NKBA as well as other industry associations, including NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and AIA (American Institute of Architects).

In collaboration with the NAHB, KBIS co-located with the International Builders’ Show (IBS) for the second annual Design & Construction Week. Two additional design and construction events – the winter 2015 Las Vegas Market and The International Surface Event – Surfaces and The Tile Expo took part in this year’s event. The International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) also continued its participation. Early estimates show the 2015 mega-event drew more than 125,000 designers, builders, dealers and suppliers and more than 300 members of the media.

A founding member of Design & Construction Week, the NKBA and NAHB announced during the last week of January that their respective trade 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. Design & Construction Week is among six events scheduled at the Las Vegas Convention Center during January, making it “one of the most robust months of convention attendance in years,” according to the Las Vegas Review.

News of the co-location extension is welcome, coming on the heels of a positive housing report released from the U.S. Commerce Department. The report, which points toward a positive outlook for the building industry in 2015, provides optimism for kitchen and bath professionals and KBIS exhibitors.

“KBIS 2015 and our participation in Design & Construction Week was a huge success,” said Brian Pagel, vice president, Kitchen & Bath, Emerald Expositions. “We are incredibly excited about the future of these events given the prospect of a stronger housing market in 2015.”

At the NKBA’s annual State of the Industry address, Kevin Murphy, chief operating officer of Ferguson Enterprises declaring to a cheering crowd that the state of the industry is excellent. Murphy cited strong employee development programs, a multi-channel experience and the need to embrace the changing expectation of customers as today’s key opportunities for innovative businesses.

The 2016 KBIS will be held Jan. 19-21, 2016, in Las Vegas. Future show dates are Jan. 10-12, 2017, and Jan. 9-11, 2018, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

In conjunction with the NKBA, KBIS is a platform that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies.