KBIS: A Look at the Products We Loved
May 1, 2013KBIS: From a Designer’s Viewpoint
May 14, 2013
My biggest takeaway from attending KBIS 2013 was the “30 Under 30” presentation. For the first time, the NKBA brought 30 exceptional young professionals under the age of thirty to KBIS. The group of “30 Under 30” were divided into three groups, and were tasked with researching the “showroom of the future,” the next generation of Universal Design, and the overall direction of the kitchen and bath industry.
I attended two of the three sessions presented, and came away very impressed with the young people they selected. They were from all over North America—25 from the United States, and five from Canada—and are involved in the kitchen business in a variety of ways.
The theme of KBIS this year was “Evolve,” and here are some examples of what this young group see as the showroom of the future:
• Brick and mortar is still important, but there will be more virtual experiences. Touch screens, digital etc. Customers want to see how products will look in their home; they want knowledgeable staff, and a creative experience. Smaller vignettes will be more common than the larger displays you might currently see, since customers want a variety of products to choose from.
I’m so excited about the future of the Industry. The 30 under 30 group showcased some impressive talent and we’ll see great things from them in the future.
