K/BIS Creates Chicago Whirlwind

K/BIS Creates Chicago Whirlwind

The 21st annual K/BIS still the industry's front-runner for showcasing the latest and greatest products and services targeted at the kitchen and bath market is expected to draw some 40,000 kitchen and bath industry professionals from the U.S. and Canada, as well as exhibitors and visitors from Europe, Asia and South America. The four-day show and conference will once again boast myriad product displays and demonstrations, educational seminars, interactive roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, social activities and special events geared specifically for the kitchen and bath industry. 
K/BIS 2002 will take place April 5-7, while the NK&BC will run April 4-7, both at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Noteworthy products
A wide array of kitchen and bath products will again be the focal point of this year's K/BIS, with some 700 regional and national suppliers showcasing their wares across some 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, according to show co-sponsor NKBA.

A vast numer of product categories will be represented, including kitchen and bath cabinetry, solid surfacing, laminate, ceramic tile and related countertop materials, whirlpools, tubs and plumbing fixtures, appliances, kitchen and bath sinks and faucets, flooring, decorative and functional hardware, CAD-CAM software, storage products, kitchen and bath accessories, interior fittings, lighting products, related building products and more. 

K/BIS exhibit hours are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Educational program 
This year's educational conference has been expanded to include 54 regular seminars, as well as a host of pre-conference programs and sessions addressing a wide selection of topics aimed specifically toward the kitchen and bath professional.
This year, seminars will be divided into nine tracks, but, unlike previous years, the tracks will not be themed. Seminar topics will address a variety of topics of interest to kitchen and bath professionals ranging from interactive design, tips for giving professional presentations, showroom design and home office design to labor shortage solutions, environmental design, general management ideas and suggestions on controlling and closing the sale.

K/BIS will once again be offering its lunchtime roundtable discussions to provide a forum for networking on a smaller scale, with attendees welcome to spend an hour discussing timely issues impacting the kitchen and bath industry. Roundtable discussion topics will include merchandising and customer service ideas, design trends, job scheduling tips and industry partnering techniques, as well as legal issues for dealers and designers, team-building ideas, suggestions for overcoming sales objections and more.

Pre-conference programs
Following are a few of the pre-conference programs and special events scheduled for this year's show:
n The Kitchen and Bath Sales program, to be held on Wednesday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., has been created for kitchen and bath industry professionals both industry veterans and those new to the kitchen and bath arena and will give them an opportunity to learn sales and qualifying techniques.