The association is kicking off a milestone anniversary year at KBIS 2023. By Loren Kessell
NKBA is celebrating sixty years as the leading association in the kitchen and bath industry in 2023. The association will kick off its milestone anniversary at KBIS 2023 in Las Vegas from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, with special branding, merchandise and programming.
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The NKBA’s 60th anniversary logo (see above) is at the center of the association’s celebratory branding, derived from the year it was established: 1963. The year-long anniversary branding will focus on a mod, fun and dynamic vibe that echoes the vibrant interiors and fashion of the sixties.
NKBA was established in 1963 as a non-profit trade group promoting professionalism in the kitchen and bath industry. The association began as a network of kitchen dealers, evolving to become the premier kitchen and bath association for designers, retailers, remodelers, manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, installers and other industry professionals.
Below are key milestones years in the history of NKBA:
>1963: Founded
A small group of dealers met near Philadelphia and formed the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers (AIKD), now known as the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). H. Dean Church of Custom Kitchens by Church, in Swarthmore, Pa., was elected the first president.
>1964: First Show
The first AIKD trade show drew 24 exhibitors and 250 attendees.
>1968: First CKD
Robert Wieland, an early founder of AIKD, became the first CKD after the Association spent several years developing and applying for a patent on the term “Certified Kitchen Designer.”
>1972: First Kitchen Tech Manuals
AIKD signed an agreement with the University of Illinois Small Homes Council to develop the first five Kitchen Industry Technical Manuals. These became the basis of NKBA’s certification program.
>1983: Name Change
AIKD changed its name to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) to reflect both the kitchen and bath industries.
>1989: First CBD
Martha Kerr became the first Certified Bath Designer (CBD) after the new designation was added for professionals specializing in the design, planning and execution of residential bathrooms.
>1989: Hall of Fame Debuts
NKBA created the Hall of Fame to celebrate its 25th anniversary and honor individuals who have contributed to the growth and professionalism of the Association and the kitchen and bath industry as a whole. Nominate someone for the 2023 Hall of Fame here.
>1992: First K+B Design Guidelines
The Association’s 31 Kitchen Guidelines and 27 Bathroom Guidelines were revised to reflect the industry environment, future trends, consumer lifestyles, new research, new building codes and industry practices.
>1995: First Consumer K+B Planners
NKBA created its first lead generation program called the “Direct to Your Door” consumer marketing program, and it generated 4,000 leads that year.
>2006: First PRLs Published
NKBA revamped its existing manuals and created a full-color Professional Resource Library. The nine volumes were written and reviewed by industry experts.
>2014: DCW Debuts
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced an agreement to co-host the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) with the International Builders’ Show (IBS) under the banner of Design & Construction Week™.
>2020: DCW in Las Vegas
DCW has more than 80,000 design & construction professionals in attendance with over 2,100 exhibiting companies in 900,000 square feet of exhibit space.
>2023: NKBA Celebrates 60 Years
Stay tuned for more information about NKBA’s 60th Anniversary year, which kicks off at KBIS 2023 from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 in Las Vegas.
