October 2020 s h o w n o t e LIVING IT UP WITH LIVING IN PLACE AT KBIS K BIS registration went live Sept. 1, and we are off to the races in preparation for an extraordinary event in February! One of the special events areas we are planning at KBIS 2021 is the Showcase for Living In Place. Hopefully you have had a chance to visit this area at a previous KBIS and experience firsthand their informative and educational sessions with designers and manufacturers. I think this conversation is more important than ever, and it also hits home for me as we prepare for my dad to move in with my sister soon. I recently had a conversation with Louie Delaware of the Living In Place Institute (LIPI) and want to give you all a sneak peek into what LIPI has been up to and let you in on their plans for KBIS. AH: Louie, I know you and Erik [Listou] are starting to gear up for KBIS, but first can you give us some insight as to what you are currently focusing on? What's new? LD: With the pandemic still being a factor, many kitchen and bath professionals are being asked by their clients (like your sister) to make their homes follow our vision of All Homes Safe - Healthy - Comfortable. With our Certified Living In Place Professional (CLIPP) program now starting its sixth year - including three years of virtual classes - it was an easy transition to exclusive virtual classes that take our home design philosophy into the classroom. We recommend professionals take the CLIPP class before KBIS to learn more before you visit the show. Classes are reduced $600 for the rest of 2020. We are also thrilled to be releasing our Home & Accessibility Trade Specialist (HATS) program this fall. This on-demand training program is geared to helping trade professionals work with CLIPP graduates to 08 A scene from the Cocktails and Challenges event held by LIPI at KBIS 2020 best ensure designs and products are properly installed for Living In Place clients. We have also started twice-monthly virtual LIPI Community Forums where our partner companies present on new products and ideas. AH: That sounds great. Can you give us some examples of things our attendees should be focused on right now in regard to Living In Place products? LD: Absolutely. We are now recommending that there be double gang outlets under all sinks in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.There will be also be a greater demand for touchless or voice-activated faucets to help make them as germ free as possible. We are also seeing a higher demand for smart devices throughout the home. These products are invaluable for everyone but especially for Living In Place clients who may have various challenges around the home. We are seeing many KBIS exhibitors adding smart technology to their devices. I also want to mention the great improvements KBIS exhibitors have been making for grab-assist devices. They are no longer the institutional, all stainless-steel types. All sorts of finishes and colors are available today, making these items aesthetically blend in with great bathroom designs. AH: Thanks Louie. I know it is a bit early, but can you share with us some of your preliminary plans for KBIS? LD: We have a lot planned for KBIS! There will be 11 LIPI Ambassadors leading world-class presentations on a wide range of topics. We are planning on both interactive in-person and virtual presentations led by both our graduates and our education partners. AH: This all sounds amazing! Thank you so much for the insight. I know our attendees will look forward to visiting the Living In Place Showcase at KBIS 2021! If they want to get more information where can they go in the meantime? LD: They can go to learn more about the program on our website www.LivingInPlace.Institute and follow up on social media. We look forward to seeing you at KBIS 2021! AMY HORNBY Show Director Kitchen & Bath Industry Show Amy.Hornby@emeraldx.com Twitter: @AmyBlackHornby / OCTOBER 2020 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)http://www.LivingInPlace.Institute http://www.twitter.com/AmyBlackHornby http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.NKBA.org http://www.KBIS.com