The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), owned by the National Kitchen and Bath Association wrapped its first in-person show in two years. The combined strengths of the NKBA and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), continuing their nine-year partnership to produce Design and Construction Week® (DCW), brought forth the first and one of the largest in-person events since the beginning of the pandemic.
KBIS 2022 featured 375 exhibitors – 85 of whom were first-timers. The ratio of attendees to exhibitors was up 9% over 2020, the last and one of the strongest in-person KBIS events pre-pandemic. Of the KBIS attendees, 48% were brand new to the show.
KBIS 2022 By the Numbers
- 70,000 Design & Construction Week Attendees
- 350 Exhibitors
- 85 new exhibitors
- 70+ NKBA Voices from the Industry conference education sessions
- 40+ panels and award presentations at the KBIS NeXT Stage, Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge, NKBA Global Connect Pavilion
The blended KBIS and International Builders’ Show (IBS) floor experience continues to foster increased crossover traffic as custom builders, remodelers and project builders discover new product options with KBIS exhibitors and vice versa. This success is a testament to the dedication of the industry and the shared vision of these associations.
Show Highlights
NKBA Global Connect at KBIS
International Delegations
Two delegations of KBIS first-time visitors experienced the event through curated tours, including the Design + Industry Awards, the New American Home, the KBIS NeXT Stage, talks at the Global Connect Pavilion and the NKBA BASH.
NKBA Global Connect Pavilion
The NKBA Global Connect Pavilion played host select international brands like Ballerina Kitchens from Germany and roundtables and presentations, introducing international brands to the North American market and informing international representatives about how-to-do business in the US with focus on distribution, sales and the importance of the designer in the US market.
“The NKBA Global Connect was a resounding success at KBIS 2022,” said Suzie Williford, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, NKBA. “I’m so pleased our Strategic Alliance partners, AMK/VDM of Germany, BMA and the BiKBBi from the UK continue to express a desire to participate in additional international delegations for future shows. Additionally, the NKBA is very much looking forward to assisting new to KBIS International brands with a road map for exhibiting at KBIS. We’re excited to see this program grow!”
Inaugural German Pavilion
The first-ever German Pavilion was launched in collaboration with the German Government, VDM, AMK and koelnmesse and featured renowned German brands like Siematic, nobilia, Hacker Kitchens and Dein Konfigurator. The pavilion is slated to grow to over 10,000 square feet for the 2023 show.
KBISNeXT Stage
The KBISNeXT Stage, featuring more than 25 panels, presentations, and awards programs, involving 85+ industry leaders shared their insights on topics including:
- Circular Economy
- Luxury Design
- Diversity in Business
- Lighting Design
- Generational Design
Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge
The dynamic partnership between digital powerhouse Design Milk and Platform for design professionals and influencers Modenus Media, brought forward dialogue and discussion with all members of the kitchen and bath community. Thirteen programs exploring topics like:
- Website optimization
- Business Management for Creatives
- Smart Home Technology for Designers
- Design Milk Trends Discussions
- BrandTalks – Storytelling for Brands
KBIS 2023 and Design & Construction Week is Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Mark your calendars now and please reach out to GlobalConnect@nkba.org to learn for about NKBA Global Connect at KBIS 2023!