The combined KBIS and IBS show was one of the industry’s largest in two years. By NKBA Staff
In an amazing show of support and engagement, 70,000 attendees and over 1,200 exhibitors combined to make last week’s Design & Construction Week(DCW) a resounding success. The combined show in Orlando was the largest in-person event for the industry since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago.
The in-person event was also the first in two years for The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), owned by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), and its co-location DCW partner of nine years, the International Builder’s Show (IBS), owned by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The connected KBIS and IBS shows occupied over 750,000-square feet and showcased all areas of the new construction and residential remodeling industries at the Orange County Convention Center from February 8th to 10th. The blended floor experience continued to foster increased crossover traffic as custom builders, remodelers and project builders discovered new product options with KBIS exhibitors. Meanwhile, KBIS attendees visited IBS exhibitors for new building/remodeling innovations.
“After two long years, it was pure joy to meet people in-person and get down to business with a little fun thrown in.” —Suzie Williford, EVP & CSO, NKBA
“There is no question our industry is alive and well,” said Suzie Williford, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, NKBA. “We were so pleased to welcome 70,000 attendees, including guests from Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy and more. After two long years, it was pure joy to meet people in-person and get down to business with a little fun thrown in. Design and Construction Week is a leading indicator of industry strength and clearly confirms the value of in-person events.”
KBIS 2022 featured 375 exhibitors, of which 85 were new to the show. In addition, 48 percent of KBIS attendees were first-time visitors to the show. And the ratio of attendees to exhibitors was 9 percent over that of the show in 2020, the last and among the strongest in-person KBIS events pre-pandemic.
The success of KBIS not only kicks off the New Year with a bang for the kitchen and bath industry, but it also bodes well for the 2023 show in Las Vegas. “The business done at this show will drive the industry for the balance of 2022 and beyond. And we are poised for a super 2023 event with 83 percent of exhibit space already sold,” said Jason McGraw, group vice president and KBIS show director for Emerald Expositions, the NKBA’s partner for producing KBIS.
Adding to the excitement for 2023 is the first-time addition of The National Hardware Show (NHS) to DCW in Las Vegas. The three connected shows – KBIS, IBS and NHS — will take over the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 31 to February 2, 2023.
To get more news and information about the show, visit our special KBIS landing page here.
