By Seth Ellison
The NKBA Global Connect Pavilion is back and bigger than ever. A real ‘connector,’ the Global Connect program gives international brands, buyers, and specifiers omni-directional opportunities to connect to the wider global economic arena, expand brand visibility, and better understand the North American kitchen and bath sector.
The Pavilion is a combination exhibit and programming space designed to host a select number of new-to-KBIS manufacturers. Current Global Connect program members will spotlight their new offerings in a series of presentations, and important roundtable and panel discussions will take place, which are designed to educate international brands on North American economic outlooks, design trends, and go-to-market strategies.
In the past five years of the program, the fostering of these connections has proven to be a resounding success by:
- growing international brand presence at KBIS to over 120 exhibitors
- collaborating with the German government and strategic association partners to create the 11,000-square-foot German pavilion
- hosting international guests as part of the NKBA Global Connect Delegation program
- offering new- to- market brands the opportunity to participate in our NKBA Global Connect Pavilion
KBIS 2023 Global Connect Programming
The following is a schedule of the Global Connect programming:
Global Connect Spotlights, featuring short presentations from new-to-the-US international brands, such as KALE, BALTECO, and Dekker.
Tues. Jan. 31 at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, located in the Global Connect Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Importance of Design Professionals in the North American Market – Luncheon is an in depth discussion on how the market differs from international markets, how design pros work and what they need in order to feel comfortable buying from international brands.
Tues. Jan. 31 at 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, located in the Global Connect Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
North American Market Outlook: Strengths, Weaknesses and Opportunities is a 1-1 session that will dive into NKBA market data, exploring the ins and outs of the $189 billion dollar industry and how marketers can break into this very fertile marketplace. Hosted by Tricia Zach, Head of Research at the NKBA, and Sherry Qualls, President of White Good and the NKBA MARCOM Agency.
Tues. Jan. 31 at 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM, located in the Global Connect Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Global Connect Spotlight, featuring short presentations from new-to-the-US international brands, such as Tekcom, WALL-SMART, VitrA, PITT Cooking,.
Wed. Feb. 1 at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, located in the Global Connect Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Understanding North American Kitchen and Bath Industry “Go-To-Market” Options will dissect and discuss the pros and cons of a number of “go-to-market” schemes that a manufacturer or export may choose to follow. Any manufacturer or international exporter interested in growing into the North American kitchen and bath market should attend.
Wed. Feb. 1 at 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, located in the Global Connect Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
International track: Made in Germany – Design Trends Presentation will include a selection group of German journalists and industry experts to present the latest K+B trends and new product introductions from Germany and hosted by AMK – The German Association of the Modern Kitchen.
Wed. Feb. 1 at 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, located in the Global Connect Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Become a Global Connect Member
The Global Connect program offers a rare chance to network with North American kitchen and bath manufacturers, design professionals, brands, influencers and other industry constituents, to produce products and services, and further develop successful strategies for the North American kitchen and bath markets.
Interested exhibitors should contact globalconnect@nkba.org.
