KBIS 2018: Highlights of This Year’s Show Schedule
KBIS 2018 kicks off this week! The festivities begin the evening of January 8, 2018, and the convention continues through January 11th. As always, KBIS is the one North American kitchen and bath design industry conference you must attend each year for the latest in innovation, design trends, networking and expert insight.
Presented by the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association), KBIS 2018 is a sprawling space of exhibitions, showcases, contests, awards, speakers and panels. It’s impossible to be a part of everything KBIS 2018 has to offer – so smart attendees will go in with a plan.
Veteran NKBA members and KBIS attendees like Peter Salerno of Peter Salerno Inc. (the most award-winning North American kitchen and bath design firm of the 21st century). Peter has been featured on multiple KBIS convention panels and seminars, and tells Design Your Lifestyle that it’s always good to plan your KBIS schedule in advance.
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the KBIS 2018 Show Schedule and narrowing our focus down to a schedule that makes sense. (You can certainly fill your day with panels, seminars, etc. – but you won’t leave yourself any time to check out the exhibitors and the convention itself, which are valuable opportunities to gain inspiration and network.)
Here is a list of events, seminars and panels we’d love to check out at KBIS 2018.
Tuesday, January 9th – KBIS 2018 Highlights
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Opening Ceremonies Featuring Keynote Speaker Terry Bradshaw | OCCC West Concourse – Level IV, Valencia Ballroom |
Who would want to miss the chance to hear a charismatic, four-time Super Bowl Champion speak? Terry Bradshaw is a motivational wizard and a magnetic personality, whether it be on the football field, on Fox NFL Sunday, or in films.
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Fireside Chat #1: Build it! The Nuts and Bolts of the Outdoor Kitchen | The Backyard |
We’re highly intrigued by the concept of outdoor kitchens, and this Fireside Chat looks like a great opportunity to learn more about a trend many are latching on to in 2018.
| 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Innovative Showroom Award Ceremony | KBISNeXT Stage: South Hall |
After spending much of the afternoon on the exhibition floor at KBIS 2018, we would not miss the chance to attend the KBIS 2018 Innovative Showroom Awards. Former winners like Peter Salerno Inc. have proven to be trendsetters and innovative gurus over the last several years, so attending this ceremony is a window into the true leaders of the kitchen and bath design industry.
Wednesday, January 10th – KBIS 2018 Highlights
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Let’s Talk Global: Changing the way we source, sell and design – one country at a time. | KBISNext Stage: South Hall |
One of the core trends of KBIS 2018 is holistic globalization of the kitchen and bath industry (K&B). Let’s Talk Global is a great center
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | NKBA Thirty Under 30 “Product of the Future” Presentations | KBISNeXT Stage: South Hall |
The NKBA Thirty Under 30 is a highly enjoyable and informative way to check out the future of the kitchen and bath industry, both in terms of talent and concepts. This year’s Thirty Under 30 corps presents “Products of the Future”.
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Coyote Live Grilling with Demonta and Kenesha Coleman | The Backyard, Booth #B4 |
| 8:30 PM – 1:30 AM | The Bash | Mango’s Tropical Café |
The Bash is a $35 ticket that is priceless in terms of networking opportunities – and just plain fun. Hosted at Mango’s Tropical Cafe, The Bash is a social highlight of KBIS and a blast for all attendees 21 and over.
Thursday, January 11th – KBIS 2018 Highlights
| Time | Title | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | SHARK! Breakfast | OCCC: S230A-G |
It’s well worth pulling yourself out of bed after a night at The Bash to attend the SHARK! Breakfast. Guest speaker John Morgan will deliver an address regarding “Smart Tech For Smart K&B Pros”.
| 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Embracing the Reality of Amazon | KBISNeXT Stage: South Hall |
Perhaps it’s not everyone’s priority, but this is a no-brainer event to attend for us based on the title alone.
| 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM | IBS Closing Concert with Chicago | OCCC Level IV, Valencia Ballroom |
Design Your Lifestyle. 