Tile, stone, and design professionals can now register at no cost to attend Coverings 2024, show sponsors said. Early online registration offers several benefits, including advanced access to event updates, special program notifications, exclusive promotions, introduction to new product trends and innovations, and the opportunity to contribute to one of several philanthropic causes through the inaugural Coverings Cares program, a new initiative that serves the tile and stone industry and the Atlanta local community through a donation pool of up to $50,000, show organizers added.

Coverings 2024 registrants will have the chance to select and support one of six vetted and deserving charitable organizations when they register for the event, including Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), EARTHDAY.ORG, Gary Sinise Foundation and Tile Heritage Foundation, event sponsors said.

“Coverings is honored to give back to Atlanta and excited to return to the city’s rich culture in April, while offering an amazing event experience to support, unite and engage with the global tile and stone community,” said Jenn Heinold, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the event management company for Coverings. “The 2024 event will be a game-changer for attendees and exhibitors alike, bringing together the most innovative minds through a new slate of meaningful learning opportunities; fostering invaluable networking with industry peers; and showcasing the newest tile and stone products, tools, equipment and technologies from around the world.”

Information can be obtained by visiting www.coverings.com.

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SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

“Building from a record-setting 2023 edition, this year marks the 60th anniversary of KBIS, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone with an even larger layout and new programming,” commented Suzie Williford, executive v.p. & chief strategy officer for the Bethlehem, PA-based NKBA.

The show is expected to be the largest in the event’s history, with its expanded footprint covering three expo halls and hosting more than 500 exhibitors. The event will include programming and awards across a broad range of categories.

Some of this year’s highlights:

The Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards/Opening Party is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Lafite Ballroom in the Wynn Hotel.

DCW’s Opening Ceremonies, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, will feature keynote speaker Mat Franco.

The SHARK manufacturer’s representative networking event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 opens with the NKBA State of the Association, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. 

The second day of KBIS closes with The Bash at XS Nightclub at Encore, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., hosted by the NKBA.

EDUCATION & ACTIVITIES

The Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS will provide educational sessions and workshops, many of which offer continuing education units (CEUs). Over 75 hour-long informational sessions will offer attendees the chance to hear presentations from industry peers aligned to one of six tracks: Building & Remodeling, Business Management, Design, K&B Trends, Leadership and Marketing.

Education and information will also be provided through a variety of channels at the show, including:

• KBIS NEXTStage, which will offer thought leadership, industry trends, conversations and more in four curated tracks: Wellness, Sustainability, Business & Trends, and Technology.
• Home Technology Pavilion, debuting in 2023, will showcase the latest smart home technology products and solutions for designers, builders and architects.
• DMM Talks Lounge, a collaboration between Design Milk and Modenus Media, which will feature presentations and conversations around design business and social media monetization, as well as BrandTalks – 15-
  minute interviews with exhibitors and VIPs.
•  NKBA Global Connect has an ongoing mission to expand KBIS and NKBA’s international impact, and it will offer curated International Delegation tours and an International Pavilion.
• The German Pavilion will be presented in cooperation with the German Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) and the Association of Modern Kitchen (AMK), and feature 11,000 sq. ft. and 13 manufacturers of German kitchen and bath products.
• The DCW Outdoor Living Pavilion, hosting an expansive collection of outdoor living products and services, will be located in the newly renovated West Hall.

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According to the NKBA, owner of the annual trade event, KBIS 2024 will host more than 500 exhibitors and include programming and awards across a broad range of categories.

The show will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 27-29, where it will again be co-located with the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show (IBS) for the 11th Annual Design & Construction Week.

“KBIS shines a spotlight on kitchen and bath design and technology. It’s an incredible opportunity for both new exhibitors and alumni to showcase their latest products and innovations – and for design professionals to discover the trends that will lead the industry in the coming year,” said Suzie Williford, executive v.p. & chief strategy officer for the Bethlehem, PA-based NKBA.

“Building from a record-setting 2023 edition, this year marks the 60th anniversary of KBIS, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone with an even larger layout and new programming,” Williford said.

According to the NKBA, KBIS 2024 will prove to be the largest show in the event’s 60-year history. An additional 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibits will bring the show’s expanded footprint across three expo halls to more than 450,000 sq. ft., the association said.

“Over its 60-year history, KBIS has established itself as a ‘must-attend’ event for industry leaders. The show is a place for connection across disciplines with colleagues able to network and exchange ideas,” said Jason McGraw, CTS, group v.p., KBIS. “We look forward to 2024 and all that KBIS has to offer.”

Information, including registration details, can be accessed by visiting https://kbis.com.

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Held January 31 through February 2, this year’s DCW boasted the highest attendance in its history, with nearly 70,000 attendees for IBS, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders, and 40,000 for National Kitchen & Bath Association-owned KBIS. More than 1,800 exhibitors showcased the latest in home building and design products across approximately one million net square feet of exhibit space. KBIS 2023 featured 500 exhibitors, with 140 first-timers and 148 international exhibitors. 

“We expected a successful show based on the preliminary numbers, but we were blown away by the final attendance numbers for KBIS and Design & Construction Week. It was just incredible,” said Bill Darcy, Chief Executive Officer of NKBA, in Bethlehem, PA. “Our goal when we created DCW with our partner, the National Association of Homebuilders, was to become the biggest trade show in North America…and, for now, we are.”

“With more programs, activations and learning opportunities than ever before, KBIS 2023 was exceptional,” added Suzie Williford, exec. v.p. and chief strategy officer, NKBA. “There was such positive energy on the show floor by both attendees and exhibitors. Everyone was happy to be together, to attend our events and be a part of the amazing experience – an experience that will drive momentum for our industry throughout the year.”

“KBIS 2023 experienced unprecedented registration growth, up 35 percent in qualified attendees versus the 2020 show held pre-pandemic,” said Jason McGraw, group v.p., Emerald Expositions, which produces KBIS for NKBA. “This year’s strong attendance turnout has encouraged over 300 exhibitors to already contract to exhibit at KBIS 2024, with many increasing their show presence. Early sales are up more than 12 percent versus this year’s show, with more than 88 percent of next year’s expanded show floor space secured.”

TAPPING HONOREES

The NKBA’s Darcy and Williford hosted the evening, handing out over 30 awards recognizing industry professionals whose work was honored in the categories of kitchen, bath and showroom design. 

The NKBA opened 2023 KBIS with the Design + Industry Awards celebration, held January 30 at the Encore Ballroom in the Encore Hotel. The sold-out event, held annually, honors those designs and leaders that reflect the purpose of the association – “envisioning a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces.” The program was sponsored by Beko; 2020 Design Software; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting Gallery; Vent-A-Hood; Hettich and Home Depot, with Duravit sponsoring a photo booth and Perlick hosting the mobile bar.

Winners of the Design Awards were:

• Best Overall Kitchen: Sarah Robertson, AKBD, founder and principal, Studio Dearborn
• Best Overall Bath: Mary Maney, CKBD, Crystal Kitchen + Bath

Large Kitchen (Over 300 square feet)

• First Place: Lori Kurnitsky, designer, Bluebell Kitchens; co-designer Michele Plachter
• Second Place: Marla Nazzicone, owner, Marla Nazzicone Design
• Third Place: Lori Kurnitsky, designer, Bluebell Kitchens; co-designers Olga Carlson and Michele Plachter

Small Kitchen (under 300 square feet)

• First Place: Sarah Robertson, AKBD, founder and principal, Studio Dearborn
• Second Place: Svetlana Tryaskina, principal, Estee Design
• Third Place: Nar Bustamante, president, Nar Design Group

Specialty Kitchen

• First Place: Rebecca Foster, interior designer, Welton Design Group
• Second Place: Douglas Walter, CMKBD, Doug Walter Architect
• Third Place: Lance Stratton, principal, Studio Stratton; co-designers Kate LeCount and Tom King

Primary Bath

• First Place: Mary Maney, CKBD, Crystal Kitchen + Bath
• Second Place: Kendall Ansell, owner, Kendall Ansell Interiors; co-designer Katelyn Woods
• Third Place: Sandra Diaz-Velasco, principal architect, EOLO A&I Design

Secondary Bath

• First Place: Gina D’Amore Bauerle, partner and interior designer, D’Amore Interiors
• Second Place: Nichol Hollinger, CKBD, senior interior designer, Henrietta Heisler Interiors
• Third Place: Nancy Finneson, CKBD, DeMane Design

Powder Room

• First Place: Lori Carroll, Lori Carroll & Associates; co-designer Kat Saucedo
• Second Place: Jaque Bethke, principal designer, architect and engineer, Jaque Bethke
• Third Place: Jaque Bethke, principal designer, architect and engineer, Jaque Bethke

People’s Pick Kitchen

• Henrietta Heisler, owner and director, Henrietta Heisler Interiors

People’s Pick Bath

• Emily Miller, CKD, Kitchen and Bath Concepts

The judges for this year’s kitchen awards were: Elizabeth Lord, CMKBD, Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design; Polly Nunes, CMKBD, Polly Nunes Designs; Christine Spillar, CMKBD, Christine Spillar Interior Design, and Courtney Zanelli, CMKBD, Courtney Zanelli Designs. The judges for the bath awards were: Marie Lail Blackburn, CMKBD, MLB Design Group; Anne-Marie Brunet, CMKBD, Sheridan Interiors; Linda Goad Larisch, CMKBD, Design First Builders; Jenni Russel, CMKBD, Design in Perspectives, and Dan Lenner, CMKBD, Morris Black Designs. 

Student designers were recognized during the awards ceremony as well, with approximately 200 kitchens and 200 baths judged for that competition, sponsored by Fisher & Paykel. Winners of the 2023 Student Design Competition were:

Kitchen Winners

• First Place: Beatriz Hernandez – Bow Valley College
• Second Place: Brea Holt – Lakeland College
• Third Place: Sarah Woosley – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Bath Winners

• First Place: David Stensland, Century College
• Second Place: Wenyee Huang – San Diego Mesa College
• Third Place: Cassandra Jerrems – Saddleback College

The judges for the 2023 NKBA Student Competition were: Danielle Burger, CMKBD, Kitchen Vitality Design; Mac Dodge Junker, CKBD, The Kitchen Specialist; Mark Haddad, CMKBD, Interiology Design Company, and Paula Smith, AKBD, representing Fisher and Paykel.

The NKBA also presented its Innovative Showroom Awards during the evening event. The awards recognize the most creative, innovative and experiential kitchen and bath showrooms in North America. Judged by Jason Artus, AKBD, Dovetail Sales; Nar Bustamante, Nar Design Group; Tracey Israelsson, Kohler Company, and Sarah Nielsen, CKBD, Showplace Cabinetry Design Center, honors went to:

• Traditional Independent, Small: Adorned Homes, White Bear Lake, MN
• Multi-Location, Multi-product Showroom, Large: Faucets N’ Fixtures, Long Beach, CA
• Kitchen and Bath Design Center, Medium: Marvista Design + Build, Pittsburgh, PA
• Kitchen and Bath Design Center, Large: The Dacor Kitchen Theater, Irvine, CA

This year’s NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame inductee was Steve Feldman, founder & CEO, Renovation Angel. Feldman was honored for his responsible leadership in taking the idea of responsible renovation and turning it into a company, transforming luxury kitchens headed to landfills into millions of dollars in jobs and funding for charity. 

During the evening, the NKBA Chairman’s Award was presented by Basil Larkin, NKBA’s 2022 Board Chair, to Volker Irle, managing director of AMK, The German Association of The Modern Kitchen.

State of the Industry

As the industry deals with post-pandemic issues, supply chain strains, high inflation and a recession economy, NKBA’s Darcy remained positive in his State of the Association address, which was followed by a Q&A with HGTV’s Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott. He discussed the many initiatives going on with the association, its move to Bethlehem, PA from its long-time location of Hackettstown, NJ, and the successful introduction of its Women2Women mentorship program, held in Louisville, KY in September 2022. For 2023, NKBA has a new website, is rolling out its new Business Webinar Series and adding new badges.

“To look to the future, however, we have to look to the past. 2022 was quite the year for NKBA – and for the overall kitchen and bath industry, which seemed insulated from the post-pandemic woes hitting other industries. The second half of 2022 brought some challenges, like inflation and a series of rate hikes. Nevertheless, the kitchen and bath industry has endured and thrived, with spending reaching a record high of $189 billion, a 16 percent year-over-year increase.”

KBISNEXT Stage 

The newly redesigned NKBA | KBIS NEXT Stage, sponsored by Samsung | Dacor, hosted over 20 panels, presentations and awards programs during the three days of the show. New for 2023 was the KBIS Disruptor Series, which showcased people and companies who have charted their own course and disrupted traditional paths. Another brand new addition was the Daily Hosts, who emceed from the stage, including: Arianne Bellizaire, principal/owner, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors; Garrison Hullinger, principal, Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, and Laurie March, project manager and host/producer of several HGTV short-form digital series.

Always a popular draw, DesignBites showcased nine three-minute presentations culminating in the “Biggest Bite Award,” which went to Beko for its HarvestFresh refrigerator design. In addition to Beko, firms participating in DesignBites included: BOCCHI, Brondell, Fotile, Fulgor Milano, LG Electronics, Moen, nobilia North America, One Click Contractor and ROBAM. The People’s Pick honored Brondell.

The KBISNeXT Stage also played host once again to the Best of KBIS Awards, which recognizes the top new product innovations from the show. Sponsored by Luxe Interiors & Design and hosted by Luxe Style Director Kathryn Given, seven brands received awards with the top honor – Best in Show – being awarded to BOCCHI. Winners included: 

• Best of KBIS – Bath Gold: S.G. SRL – inFINE Column Shower
• Best of KBIS – Bath Silver: Kohler WasteLAB – The ABSTRA Collection
• Best of KBIS – Kitchen Gold: BOCCHI – Baveno Kitchen Sink System
• Best of KBIS – Kitchen Silver: Fotile – Insert Self-Adjusting Range Hood
• Best of KBIS – Connected Home Technology Gold: Moen Smart Sprinkler Controller and Smart Wireless Soil Sensors
• Best of KBIS – Connected Home Technology Silver: GE Profile – 36″ Touch Control Induction Cooktop
• Best of KBIS – Impact Award (Judge’s Choice): S.G. SRL – inFINE Column Shower

The Best of KBIS 2023 judges were: Michelle Blemel, owner and principal designer, Amberleaf; Cyndy Cantley, ASID, CKD, principal designer, Cantley and Company; Rachel Hale, lead designer, Colmar Kitchen Studio; Jennifer Stoner, president, Jennifer Stoner Interiors, and Rebecca Zajac, principal and founder, Design by Numbers.

Booth awards were also presented at the KBIS NEXT stage, and were awarded to:

• Best Overall Show Booth: Kohler
• Best Booth Large: CAFÉ
• Best Booth Medium: Fabuwood Cabinetry
• Best Booth Small: ABKSTONE
• Best Booth Honorable Mention: Miele

Returning for its second year was the KickStarter Zone, which showcased new-to-market brands that have been in the residential design and construction business less than three years and have never exhibited at KBIS. All Kickstarter participants were reviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders, who presented the following awards: 

• Grand Prize: Sepura Home Ltd.
• Runner Up: Principle Faucets
• People’s Choice: Hai

During the three-day event, the NKBA celebrated its 60th anniversary with a champagne toast, with Darcy and Williford reflecting on the association’s humble beginnings and its bright future as a global entity. That optimism will be carried into next year’s show, which is scheduled for February 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

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KBIS showcased the latest in connected appliances, technology for the kitchen and bath, sustainable design pieces, aging-in-place elements and trending paints and finishes in cabinets, faucets, hardware and more. The overarching theme focused on products that will make rooms work well for the homeowner, along with being beautiful.

Among the items showcased on the show floor were:

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Attendees walking the West and North Halls of LVCC will have a chance to see an endless array of products, including some of the newest selections seen here.

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Among the notable products seen on the show floor are:

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Exhibitors met the challenge, presenting cutting-edge technology, wellness and health-focused features, and environmentally conscious design. Personalized and custom options were also front and center, with colorful choices and finishes making impactful statements.

Following are just a few of the products that can be seen during the three days of KBIS.

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