SKS hosted the 2023 Class of Thirty Under 30 to an immersive NYC experience.
By Elisa Fernández-Arias
Start spreading the news (and views!) Luxury appliance innovator and longtime partner of the NKBA Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) has been an active participant in the Thirty Under 30 program, hosting annual trips for the newly inducted class of 30s to tour their showrooms, learn about the SKS brand and make industry connections. This year was no exception with the 2023 Thirty Under 30 Class traveling to NYC from all over the country for a truly unique Big Apple experience in celebration of the debut of the SKS Skyline Showroom. (Follow along their adventure with #truetofood on social media!)
Rooftop Drinks and Introductory Dinner
The festivities started in the Presidential Suite of the Ink 48 Hotel, where the 30s were greeted with a stunning view of the New York City skyline and Hudson River from the rooftop Halo Terrace. After enjoying vistas and reconnecting with their class, the 30s went down back to the suite for dinner, where Donille Perrone, SKS Senior Marketing Manager, toasted to the 30s class and the trip, promising them an immersive experience with every detail thoughtfully tied back to SKS’ “True to Food” brand mission and skyline theme. By the end of the dinner, the 30s were ready for the next day, where they would be visiting the North American Headquarters of SKS parent company LG Electronics.
Skies the limit with Signature Kitchen Suite in their Skyline Showroom
The next morning, the 30s headed to New Jersey for an immersive SKS showroom experience that showcased the brand’s True to Food brand mission. Housed within LG’s LEED platinum certified headquarters in New Jersey, the new SKS Skyline Showroom serves as an east coast brand immersion hub for trade partners including designers, builders, and dealers. The 30s started out learning about the building itself, including many of unique design features. Next, they were taken up to the brand new SKS Showroom with incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, where they were guided through each area, learning about the specifications and innovative technology of the appliances, including ranges with built-in sous vide technology. The 30s also visited the interactive LG Inspiration Lab, where they learned about some of the most innovative technologies from across the family of LG brands.
At lunch, the 30s had more than just a meal – it was a True to Food culinary experience with Chef Sakari Smithwick hosting an interactive cooking workshop, which included the perfect-for-summer refreshing and mouth-watering chilled cool crab soup. The afternoon continued with highly-educational industry-related discussions and a brand immersion. The 30s completed the cooking and refrigeration product training, where they learned more about the specifications and features of specific SKS products – including the first-of-its-kind 48-inch French Door Refrigerator, and then they took part in was a trends discussion exploring all things design, appliance and technology both industry-wide and regionally.
Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple
In the evening, the 30s returned to New York City to enjoy a decadent meal at the elegant restaurant, Beauty & Essex, in the Lower East Side. After everyone sat down, SKS’ Senior District Sales Manager John Russo toasted to the 30s and to their trip where they connected with SKS representatives and learned about the products in their visit to the showroom. The night was filled with laughter, conversation and connection-making.
That night and next day provided the 30s with an opportunity to explore the city with a private yacht tour of Manhattan – again keeping the trip’s “skyline” theme front and center, have fun and say a final goodbye to the Big Apple. Until next time (many 30s were already looking forward to KBIS 2024!), the NKBA wishes the 30s the best with what are to be impressive, illustrious careers.
Nominations for the 2024 Thirty Under 30 program are now open. Click here to nominate a rising star!
