The Best Of The Best: KBIS 2012 Show Highlights

ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), April 24-26 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, attendees will experience a breadth of new, innovative offerings that can't be seen anywhere else. From the dynamic UNcontained exhibit which provides a look at how colliding generations are changing the rules of design to the Multimedia lounge offering attendees expert insights into the new economic and marketing environment, KBIS 2012 is a one-of-a-kind kitchen and bath experience that brings the industry together.

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KBIS, the National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) yearly show, is the largest kitchen and bath industry show in the world.  With 550 exhibitors on board, the show will attract more than 20,000 buyers from 70 countries and nearly 500 media outlets. As the trend hub of the kitchen and bath industry, KBIS 2012 raises the bar on show offerings to inspire and activate its broad audience, ranging from dealers, designers, builders and remodelers to retailers and other industry professionals.

Touch the Future

For the first time, four distinct generations are in the workforce, interacting, influencing and coexisting closely with one another. With the premiere of UNcontained, anchoring the center of the show at Booth 2121, attendees and exhibitors can experience the lifestyles of five unique consumers through interactive 20-ft.-long shipping containers designed to showcase how these different generational attitudes are reinventing the kitchen and bath.

Trend spot

After visiting UNcontained, attendees can relax and listen to fresh content in the future-focused Multimedia Lounge, Booth 1585, while gaining insights and tips from speakers like Sphere Trending's Maxine Lauer, Liza Hausman, Vice President of Marketing of Houzz and Eric Corey Freed, Principal of organicARCHITECT. The Multimedia Lounge also features a renowned design blogger panel spanning the mix of digital marketing channels and free presentations by influential K&B professionals. In the Product Gallery, located in the Grand Concourse and the Multimedia Lounge, attendees can keep up with the latest trends and interact with products by scanning QR codes and downloading innovative product information right to their smartphone. 

Providing a glimpse into other interesting design elements outside of the kitchen and bath, Design Departures, Booth 3640, will introduce bold new products from unexpected sources. Along with the invaluable one-on-one face time and networking opportunities that KBIS uniquely presents, attendees also have the opportunity to interact with others in the K&B industry at the Collaboration Station, Booth 1249. For the first time, three unique associations -- the NKBA, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) -- will host seven 1-hour panel discussions over three days to share a fresh and collaborative approach to business.

Resources to Stay Connected

KBIS offers simple and effective ways for show-goers to make and maintain meaningful connections, increase exposure and navigate more efficiently through the show floor's hottest new innovations. The KBIS 2012 Mobile App, a free, downloadable smartphone application, provides valuable KBIS info on-the-go, including breaking news, a fully searchable exhibitor list, an interactive map, and social media capabilities, allowing attendees to share their show experience's by using the #KBISApp hash tag while tweeting at and about the show. Along with KBIS Mobile, KBIS Connect, a free, online community, enables exhibitors and attendees to access product images, press materials, browse attendee profiles, schedule appointments, and make and maintain meaningful connections.

"By continuing to listen to industry needs, we will bring a new level of energy and excitement to KBIS 2012 through UNcontained. Technology such as KBIS Connect and the KBIS Mobile App will enhance the show experience, while ahead-of-the-curve content and interactive learning opportunities will allow exhibitors and attendees to gain critical insights into a changing market," said Jim Scott, managing director of the show.

KBIS Takes Center Stage

At the National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) Center Stage, Booth 2131, attendees can learn about everything from kitchen trends to technology tips from speakers like Karl Champley from DIY's Wasted Spaces and Sally Hogshead, branding expert from Fascinate, Inc. Also, on Tuesday, April 24th from 8:30am - 9:45am in MCC Room S100, opening keynote Candice Olson, HGTV Design Star judge, will share her kitchen and bath design experiences and the importance of creating a personal brand as she kicks off the NKBA's Conference Program. For more information about the Conference Program, visit www.kbis.com/conference.

Best of KBIS

The annual "Best of KBIS" competition showcases the newest and most innovative products introduced over the past year. At Booth 3667, attendees can vote for their favorite and see the winners. Winners are chosen by an extensive panel of senior print and television media members and will be presented by John Petrie, NKBA Vice President at Center Stage in the NKBA Booth (2131) on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 1:30 pm.

For more information about the show and new exhibitor products, please visit http://www.kbis.com/show/show-highlights and http://www.kbis.com/show/about-the-show.

About Nielsen Expositions

KBIS is managed by Nielsen Expositions, which produces leading trade shows across a wide array of markets.  For more information, please visit www.nielsen.com. 

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association with over 50,000 members that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, and an extensive glossary of remodeling terms. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and download the free NKBA Kitchen Planner and NKBA Bath Planner. To learn more, visit the NKBA Press Room at NKBA.org/Press or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

Follow KBIS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KitchenBathIndustryShow and on Twitter at @kitchenbathshow or http://twitter.com/#!/kitchenbathshow.

SOURCE National Kitchen & Bath Association