KBB - March 2014 - 8

SHOW DIRECTOR'S NOTE

KBIS Comeback

Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2015
January 20-22,2015
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
www.kbis.com

2014 show feedback signifies an industry resurgence
Since returning from KBIS, I have had number of conversations with
our readers about their experiences at Design & Construction Week
in Las Vegas. While the stories are all unique, one thing that is not is
just how passionately everyone has described their time at KBIS. There
were, of course, a number of comments on specific products that
were launched, brands that were present and sessions attended, but
almost universally everyone has mentioned the renewed energy in
and around the show floor.
So what was so different this year versus years past? Of
course, the economy is improving, and there was a significant
presence from top brands both old and new, but I think it goes
well beyond that. What I believe was different was that for the
first time in a number of years, the entire kitchen and bath
industry was represented. Everyone from designers to architects,
remodelers to cabinet shops, dealers to channel partners and, of course, builders were all
present. Even more impressive was the infusion of youth into the event, which no doubt brought
additional energy to the show floor, as many of these emerging entrepreneurs and young
executives have never before been to KBIS.
These observations have taken me back to a story I shared with you in the October 2013 issue
of K+BB. You might recall I had mentioned how my old friend and colleague, Jim Scott, would
routinely ask people to describe their first experience at KBIS. I later went on to describe in great
detail my first KBIS in 2008. While that experience has played a significant role in my time working
on KBIS, I can honestly say that the energy and excitement I witnessed last month in Las Vegas
was unparalleled in my 15 years working in the tradeshow business. In 2008, I saw people walking
through a maze of elaborate exhibits window shopping. In 2014, I saw people looking at elaborate
displays as they have in the past (the booths this year were absolutely incredible), but the difference
was that attendees this year were looking to specify products for future projects and programs. I
think we would all agree that this is a good sign for our industry.
I hope that if you attended KBIS, you found it to be a worthwhile experience. For those of you who
did attend, you should have received a survey asking for your feedback. I hope you will take a few
minutes and tell us how we did. We, along with our partners at NKBA, value your comments and will
use them to improve the show. So please let us know what you think.
I would also encourage you to stay active in the conversation year-round on all of our social
media platforms. n
Brian Pagel
Vice President, Kitchen and Bath Group
brian.pagel@emeraldexpo.com

1145 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 355
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Ph: (800) 241-9034

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Joe Randall
joe.randall@emeraldexpo.com
VP KITCHEN AND BATH GROUP
Brian Pagel
(770) 291-5438
brian.pagel@emeraldexpo.com
SALES MANAGER
April Hayslip
(770) 291-5434
april.hayslip@emeraldexpo.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Maria Hill
(770) 291-5419
maria.hill@emeraldexpo.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Diana Gallagher
(770) 291-5436
diana.gallagher@emeraldexpo.com
MARKETING MANAGER
Rebecca Corbett
(770) 291-5459
rebecca.corbett@emeraldexpo.com
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Lane Vento, CMP
(770) 291-5538
lane.vento@emeraldexpo.com

President
John A. Petrie, CMKBD
President-Elect
Maria Stapperfenne, CKD, CBD
Vice President
Ric Coggins
Treasurer
Denise M. Dick, CMKBD
Secretary
Debra H. Robinson
Immediate Past President
John K. Morgan
Chief Executive Officer
Bill Darcy
Senior Director of Finance
Stephen Graziano
General Counsel and Director of Legislative Affairs
Edward S. Nagorsky
Director of Business Development and Member Relations:
Suzie Williford
Director of Learning
Nancy Barnes

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K BB

March 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

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KBB - March 2014

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