2003 K/BIS Posts Record Growth, Sponsors
Report
Orlando, FL An estimated 50,000 kitchen/bath professionals a record
attendance took part in the 2003 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show and
Conference (K/BIS) last month, show sponsors announced.
The four-day event, at the Orange County Convention Center in
Orlando, “set the tone for another strong year in business” and
cemented the show’s status as the largest annual trade-only event
of its kind, K/BIS organizers said.
“We are thrilled that our efforts to improve the most important
event in the industry are showing strong results,” said Walt
Goldsby, show director and group v.p. for VNU Expositions, the
Atlanta-based producers of K/BIS.
“The exhibit hall expanded significantly this year and we were
pleased to see more than 785 exhibitors put on one of the best
shows the industry has ever seen.”
“K/BIS is more than just a showcase of products. It’s
trend-setting, a think tank and a meeting place,” said, Les Petrie,
president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and K/BIS
presenter.
Among this year’s K/BIS highlights were the following:
- A New Product Pavilion highlighted the most recent
breakthroughs in a one-stop showcase for buyers. The products
on display were judged by attendees to determine the New Product
Awards for the year. The winner for Best New Kitchen Product was
Rocky Mountain Hardware, with its Apron Front Sink; the Best New
Bath Product was Capizzi, with its Calia Product line. - NKBA’s 2003 Design Competition award winners were highlighted
during the NKBA Board of Directors Gala where hundreds of leaders,
members and colleagues of the association mingled the night before
they opened the show floor.
Next year’s K/BIS will take place in Chicago’s McCormick Place
from April 2-4, 2004.