Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2022 - 10

nkba note
March/April 2022
" I've heard many
people talk about
KBIS 2022 as a
time of reunion and
reconnection - and it
certainly was. "
THE YEAR OF MOVING FORWARD... SPECTACULARLY
I
t's been a month, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that,
despite the odds, some naysayers and even the pandemic, KBIS 2022
far exceeded expectations and was a resounding success. Th e energy and
excitement were everywhere - from the show fl oor to hotel lobbies and
conference spaces. It was truly amazing to see such enthusiasm and support
for the show as well as for the NKBA.
I'm also happy to report that the combined strength of both KBIS
and the International Builders' Show, owned by our partner the National
Association of Homebuilders, resulted in a Design & Construction Week
that was one of the largest shows globally to serve our industry during
the past two years. More than 70,000 attendees traveled to Orlando in
February to see 1,200 exhibitors spread out over 750,000 square feet of
space at the Orange County Convention Center. And of the 375 KBIS
exhibitors, 85 were fi rst timers, while nearly half of all KBIS registrants
were brand new to the expo.
All I can say is...incredible.
We could not have accomplished this success without our exhibitors,
generous sponsors, our show production partner, Emerald, and the thousands
of energetic NKBA members and industry professionals who made
a commitment to be in Orlando. Th e numbers alone are clear evidence
that the design, architecture and overall construction industry was more
than ready to return to a live event. But signifi cantly, it also showed that
many new business owners, sales professionals, design-build fi rms and
architects were eager to join our leading showcase of innovation and design.
Th is was a remarkable display of organic growth and demonstrates
10
/ MARCH-APRIL 2022
 Celebrating the 2022 Thirty
Under 30 Class at KBIS. Photo
by Asper Photography
how NKBA and our partners have successfully
promoted the KBIS and DCW messaging to a
broader industry audience.
I've heard many people talk about KBIS 2022
as a time of reunion and reconnection - and it
certainly was. Everywhere you went, people were
greeting each other with smiles, fi st bumps and
even that old fashioned handshake. Personally,
I was just really happy to see so many old friends
not on Zoom or on Teams, but in person. I'm
hopeful this momentum carries forward, and if
bookings for 2023 KBIS are anything to go by,
it will. To date, more than 80% of the fl oor space
has been booked for the show, which is being
held from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, 2023, in Las Vegas.
I think we can look forward to another spectacular
show where innovative product design,
engineering, technology and thought leadership
will be on display. I don't know about you, but
I'm already looking ahead to an even brighter
future together next year at KBIS!

BILL DARCY
CEO
National Kitchen + Bath
Association
Twitter: @NKBA_CEO
http://www.twitter.com/NKBA_CEO
Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2022
