KBIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND THE CONNECTIONS

Design & Construction Week Re-cap | #KBIS2014 | #BlogTourVegas

My experience at this year's NKBA's #KBIS2014 (National Kitchen and Bath Association | Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2014) as a #BlogTourVegas traveler!

The #BlogTourVegas Team

So what is KBIS?  Well it is a trade show for the Kitchen and Bath industry - Kitchen and Bath Industry Show  | KBIS.  And IBS?  International Builder's Show.  And up until this year these two shows were independent annual events.  This year the two shows were combined at the same time and location and created Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas!  I first learned about the joining of these to events during my trip to Germany last year as a #BlogTourCGN traveler.  Check out a little about that here --> NKBA The Kitchen and Bath Authority!
 


I have to say that KBIS2014 was about the people, the connections and the interaction of both the attendees and vendors.  In addition for me it included reuniting with friends and peers from across the country and the world.  It was to say the least a whirlwind, as only to be expected when multiple shows are combined.  


This year KBIS being combined with IBS truly created a excitement that could be felt as soon as you entered the show floor, something that has been missing many years.  As a veteran KBIS attendee I have to say when I first stepped onto the show floor I was immediately taken aback by the larger than life booth spaces, the gourmet aroma of a nearby cooking demo and the sounds of the people rockin to the live DJ spinning in the Kohler booth, my arms filled with goosebumps and a I had a flood of excitement and emotion come over me.  Wow, I knew in that moment that KBIS was back!  

KBIS2014 Vegas CONVENTION CENTER - photo credit kbis.com

It was evident everywhere you looked, the revived hustle and bustle of attendees engaged with vendors by way of entertainment and connecting live through social media with pinterest, instagram, twitter and more.  Attendees were visibly participating and interacting with the environment, they were seeing and becoming a part of what was going on around them.  

My friends, Lori Gilder & Rebecca Reynolds get Social @Rohlhome.com booth

For me KBIS, Design & Construction Week, is becoming the go to Event of the year.  It is a great time to meet up with my industry friends and peers from around the country.  It is an amazing networking opportunity to meet new vendors, reconnect with existing friends and most importantly meet up with other like minded professionals where we can share ideas, compare business strategies and swap stories.  Those personal connections are priceless.

...here are a few of the friends I saw at during KBIS...

To give you a sense of what I am talking about and how KBIS is changing to better meet the needs of the attendees here are a few stats ...

 - KBIS, the largest North American platform deovted to the kitchen and bath industry, welcomed 31,092 industry professionals to this year's show.  (nearly a 145 percent increase year over year - at the Las Vegas Convention Center)

  - KBIS 2014 attracted 500 exhibitors, including 135 new exhibitors as well as the return of industry leaders such as Viking, Elkay, MasterBrand Cabinets, Electrolux and LG Hausys Surfaces, to name a few.  Rounding out the lineup were the 87 KBIS exhibitors known as Loyalty Leaders, who have exhibited consecutively at KBIS for at least the past six years. 

John Petrie

“We knew coming into Las Vegas that we were about to experience something ground breaking, and we weren’t disappointed! The energy on and off the show floor far exceeded our expectations,” said John Petrie, NKBA 2014 president.  ”The co-location of KBIS and IBS allowed exhibitors and attendees to benefit from insights and product innovations serving the entire residential design & construction industry.” 

  -  KBIS producers, Emerald Expostions, has already booked more exhibit space for KBIS 2015 than was sold in all of 2014. Additionally, KBIS rebooked nearly 20 percent more exhibit space on-site vs. pre-sales for the 2014 event. To accommodate the overwhelming demand from industry leading brands, another 500,000 GSF of exhibit space has been added for the 2015 event. KBIS will now encompass the North and South Halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Brian Pagel

“This year’s show saw more top brands, more new products and more innovation,” said Brian Pagel, VP Kitchen and Bath Group, Emerald Expositions. “We’re honored to provide the stage for leading industry brands to connect directly with their targets. Our goal is to continue to amplify and diversify our exhibitor base, making our attendee experience richer and more engaging. As we continue to evaluate our planned footprint for 2015, we look forward to welcoming more brands to the KBIS floor.”

  -  Combined attendance under “one pass” was over 82,000 for both shows (KBIS and IBS), with 1,700 exhibitors in more than 650,000 sq ft of combined convention floor space. The premier Design & Construction Week attracted almost 540 members of the media, as well as 24 additional “supporting organizations” from across the design & construction industry. 

For the first time in what seems like forever new and innovative products were making their debut and the positive reception was evident everywhere you looked.  What was more exciting was that as a part of BlogTourVegas, I along with my BlogTour teammates were asked to judge The Best of KBIS2014.  An honor to be given such an overwhelming task with so many amazing entries it was a hard decision. 

  And the winners are…. 

Best in Show – Dacor: Discovery™ iQ 30” Wall Oven  

& 

Best of Kitchen: Gold – Dacor: Discovery™ iQ 30” Wall Oven

Best of Kitchen: Silver – Glideware

Best of Bath: Gold – Delta® Temp2O™ Technology

   Best of Bath: Silver – TOTO: NEOREST 750H

Design & Construction Week ~ KBIS | IBS was truly a whirlwind!  It is sure to be the go to event for all kitchen, bath and construction professionals in 2015!  Start planning now KBIS2015 will take place January 20-22, 2015, at the Las Vegas Convention Center co-locating again with IBS under the banner of Design & Construction Week.  

Disclosure:  This is a "Sponsored Post" the company/companies who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it.  Regardless, all opinions written here are my own and I only promote or recommend products or services I believe in.
 

Before and After Kitchen ~ Add an Island and Increase Storage

This was a simple kitchen remodel where we added an island, opened up a wall, increased storage and gave the kitchen a makeover.  A great example of maximizing your space and getting the most out of a remodel no matter what size shape or budget.  

The basic floor plan of this kitchen didn't change, but adding the new island cabinetry and counter surface has certainly changed its function, not to mention the additional base cabinet, countertop surface and upper storage that were added to a once empty wall.  

There is not more than double the amount of countertop space and six new drawers on the island not to mention the 3 additional drawers added next to the new wine cooler location.  Oh and it went from basic cabinets to include a corner base lazy susan, four more drawers in the original kitchen footprint to make a total of 16 drawers in this kitchen, oh and a pull-out waste bin that was non-existent in the original kitchen.

Its not your Grandma's Kitchen | Plastic Laminate Steps It Up!

Even though retro is sort of back right now, it doesn't mean you want your kitchen, your bathroom or any room in your house to really look like your grandma's house.  

Vintage Formica Advertising Postcards - photo via ebay listing

As much as I loved my grandmothers and have amazing fond memories of their homes, I don't long for those gold flecked white plastic laminate countertops.

pic - House Beautiful April 1957 issue

With that in mind, 
step into the 21st Century...  

When was the last time you took a look at Plastic Laminate or even considered plastic laminate for your cabinets or even countertops for that matter in your home or business?  Well I can honestly say, having been in the kitchen and bath industry for over 25 years it has been awhile since the subject of using plastic laminate has even come up.  For me it was, key word was, sort of like asking if you want to buy a Yugo or a Pinto if you remember what those are.  Well Yugo's are not around anymore or Pintos for that matter, but  Formica has been around for over 100 years and is BACK in  fresh, exciting, new and innovative ways!    

Formica turned 100 years in 2013

I had the pleasure of celebrating their birthday with them at KBIS2013 in New Orleans. (Great cupcakes by the way)

Formica Booth #KBIS2013

Ok, ok, so I know you are trying to get past that whole Yugo / Pinto comparison, sorry about that I was just making sure you were paying attention.

So that was then...and this is NOW! 

(insert applause, oohs and aaahs here)

Formica Magma Black

“Although granite continues to be popular, homeowners are expanding their material preferences to include new stone variations,” said Amy Gath, vice president of marketing at Formica Corporation. “Our latest laminate patterns are fresh, affordable and maintenance-free alternatives, making design trends accessible for all.”

Formica - Lapidus Brown

During my trip to KBIS/IBS Design Construction Week 2014, in Vegas as a member of the #BlogTourVegas Team, I got to see first hand Formica's most recent pattern and finish introductions.  As a professional I have to say this is the first time I have been excited about plastic laminate in a very long time. 

“The new 180fx® patterns reflect some of the most stunning granite options on the market,” said Amy Gath, vice president of marketing at Formica Corporation. “Using advanced printing technology, we authentically replicated each beautiful detail in true scale ― capturing the high-end look homeowners desire without sacrificing the maintenance-free and affordable nature of laminate."

The 2014 180fx® introduction includes:

Formica - River Gold 180fx4

3546-46 River Gold in Etchings™ Finish: An inviting creamy-white granite with linear veins of gold and gray highlighted by chocolate-brown crystals. One of the most desirable granites, it reflects the trend toward light and white sophisticated stone. The Etchings™ finish enhances the “river-like” quality of the pattern with its light linear movement.

Formica - Lapidus Brown 180fx2

 3547-RD Lapidus Brown in Radiance® Finish: A versatile and timeless granite that features vibrant gold tones and rich iron veining highlighted by creamy white crystals and gray and black pebbles. Its rich color palette will coordinate with a variety of cabinetry, from light golden maples to cherry to antique black. The Radiance® finish highlights the crystalline structure. 

Formica - Magna Black 180fx

3548-RD Magma Black in Radiance® Finish: A dramatic stone that lives up to its name, each slab appears as if liquid lava has been poured over it. Rivers of gold, gray and rust ― highlighted by pure white crystals ― create a bold pattern. The Radiance® finish deepens the black background and accents the pebbles and crystals.

Formica - Red Dragon 180fx2

3549-RD Red Dragon in Radiance® Finish: An exotic and alluring rich red with dramatic veining and gray crystals. The Radiance® finish intensifies the color and complements the crystalline structure. 

All 180fx® patterns are available with IdealEdge™ laminate edge profiles. Suitable for curved, clipped or 90-degree corner installations, IdealEdge™ decorative edges transcend the customary limitations of laminate by eliminating flat edges and brown seams.

In addition to unmatched aesthetics and performance, all 180fx® patterns are designed to minimize environmental impact. Each pattern is certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and the GREENGUARD Certification Program (including a GREENGUARD Certificate of Compliance Gold).

 
With over 100 years experience, Formica is leading the way with innovative new and exciting patterns, finishes, edging and surface materials.  The realism in the pattern, color and selections available are amazing and virtually hard to tell from the original pieces of stone, wood, metal and other surfaces they were made to reflect and look like.
   

Top Left—8829 Graphite Twill | Top Right—845 Spectrum Red

Bottom Left—3458 Travertine Silver | Bottom Right—8826 Neutral Twill

It really is the perfect material for multitudes of things - countertops, table tops, built-in's, desks, furniture....you name and it can be built out of Formica.  And it won't look like your Grandma's Kitchen.

Visit our Website or call 

Time2Design and set up an appointment

to discover your Kitchen style

941-378-9964

www.FORMICA.COM

Disclosure: This is a "Sponsored Post" The company/companies who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, all opinions written here are my own and I only recommend products or services I believe in.