K/BIS Pre-Show Guide

LAS VEGAS, NV—
There aren’t many safe bets in Las Vegas, but there is one thing you can bet on with confidence this spring…the return of the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS). The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) brings K/BIS, the world’s largest international trade event dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry, to the Las Vegas Convention Center May 8-10.

As the premier showcase for the latest products and cutting-edge design innovations in the kitchen and bath industry, K/BIS 2007 will bring together more than 900 exhibiting companies and over 40,000 national and international industry professionals. K/BIS features a wide array of product displays and demonstrations, NKBA professional development courses, keynote speeches, conference sessions, and interactive roundtable events. There’s always something going on at K/BIS.

“The incredible energy, enthusiasm, and dedication that surround this show are true indicators of the vitality of the industry,” says Michael Kelly, chief executive officer of the NKBA.

Plethora of Products

The energy will be buzzing around the New Product Pavilion, which will host the latest in product innovations. Here, products will be separated by category, to help visitors navigate more easily. Product categories this year will include appliances, sinks, vanities, decorative and functional hardware, showers, range hoods, vanities, cabinetry plus much more.

A must-see for all K/BIS attendees, the NKBA Industry Trends Marketplace will showcase trend-setting product lines and highlight the prominent features that tie these products together in driving the current industry atmosphere. Located on the K/BIS Expo/Show Floor in the South Hall, the specialty products showcase and learning areas will focus on advancements in green design, technological advancements in the kitchen and bath and new ideas in outdoor living. Inside the Industry Trends Marketplace, the NKBA Center Stage will host various forums and discussions on the hottest trends forecasted as well as the issues that affect the kitchen and bath industry today.

The South Hall Expo/Show Floor opens at 9:00 a.m.; North and Central Floors open at 10:00 p.m., and the show will close at 5 p.m. on May 8th and 9th, and 3 p.m. on May 10th. (See KBDN’s K/BIS show product coverage)

Educational Conference

As in years past, the educational courses will kick off before the trade floor opens. This year’s program starts May 5 with a three-day professional development course and a series of full-day and half-day courses. (See the full schedule of educational conferences)

The conference sessions will focus on cornerstone issues of the industry such as building business and leadership, successful designs and designers, technology in the industry and the latest and greatest trends. This year’s Conference Tracks feature Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time, Navigating the Contradictions of the New Trend Landscape, and Sweet Dreams & Rude Awakenings: Lighting Designs for Kitchens and Baths. The NKBA will again offer professional development courses focusing on topics like European design trends, improving business management, selling techniques and others.

Special Events

In addition to product displays and educational programs, there will be a series of special events, meetings and social activities tailored to kitchen and bath industry professionals.

These include: