ALPHARETTA, Ga. -  The 2017 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) saw a 17-percent increase in qualified attendance inspiring a surge of momentum headed into the 2018 show. 

 

In conjunction with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), KBIS is an interactive platform that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies, and is operated by Emerald Expositions, an operator of business-to-business trade shows in the United States. KBIS operates more than 50 trade shows with events connecting over 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors.

 

“This year’s response to KBIS reaffirms it as our industry’s premiere event,” said Suzie Williford National Kitchen & Bath Association VP of industry relations. “Thank you to our NKBA members and the entire kitchen bath industry for making KBIS 2017 a truly ‘can’t miss’ event.”

 

With a net square footage of exhibit space for 2018 up 13-percent year-over-year, major brands and several new exhibitors have already committed. New exhibitors include Foster Milano, Peerless Faucet and EuroChef USA, with major brands Jenn Air, Kraus USA, Miele, Samsung and Bertazzoni set to return after an extended absence from the event. 

 

“Our verified growth confirms what we already knew; KBIS 2017 was one of our most successful kitchen and bath industry shows to date,” said Brian Pagel, SVP, Emerald Expositions. “KBIS 2018 is setting up

to be an even bigger and more successful show. I look forward to continuing to see the kitchen and bath industry growth this year, and to returning to Orlando in 2018.”

 

Highlights from KBIS 2017 included the State of the Industry Address delivered by NKAB CEO Bill Darcy who discussed annual design trends and economic research studies taking place in the $134 billion kitchen and bath industry. A NKAB study cited found that each year, homeowners remodel upwards of 10.2 million kitchens and 14.2 million bathrooms, two of the most important rooms in a home.

 

The NKBA with KBIS also hosted the first public event supporting the This Old House Generation Next philanthropic campaign to encourage and empower young people to join the skilled trades. All proceeds from the campaign were presented to Mike Rowe of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation for the Work Ethic Scholarship Program which provides scholarships to people getting trained for skilled jobs.

 

The KBISNeXT Stage, presented by NKBA and sponsored by HomeAdvisor, offered thought-provoking and inspiring programming delivered from some of the most well respected names in kitchen and bath design.

 

Another highlight of KBIS 2017 was the all new Discovery District, which served as a center for exploring unique and potentially undiscovered brands and products new to KBIS, several of which were honored as Best of KBIS award winners.

 

KBIS will return to Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center Jan. 9-11, 2018.