KBIS 2022 Day 1 Recap!

We're Back!!! It felt SO good to be back in person with all our design, construction, and vendor colleagues for KBIS! This year was extra special because I was selected as a Design Hound by Modenus Media to represent the show by six wonderful sponsors. They brought me to Orlando, FL to teach me all about their products and I can't wait to share what I've learned!

To Start, What is KBIS?

According to KBIS's website: The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is the North America’s largest trade show dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design. KBIS, in conjunction with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), is an inspiring, interactive platform that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies from hundreds of exhibitors. Together, we set the course for our industry. Trends are established. Products are launched. People are discovered. And businesses are fueled! KBIS is the place where the global residential design and construction community meets in-person and for the year ahead.

Now on to the Day 1 fun!

We started the morning out in our Design Hounds group with hearing a talk from the fabulous Luann Nigara at the #DMMSTALKS stage for Design Business Track! I love Luann's Podcast, https://luannnigara.com/all-episodes/ , and it was so inspiring to here her speak in person! Thank you Signature Kitchen Suites for bringing it all together!

We then had lunch and got to be judges for KBIS's annual Design Bites Competition! This is always one of my favorite parts of KBIS as we get a up close and personal look with the latest and greatest products on the market! An extra fun perk was that it was hosted by Darren Keefe (HGTV's favorite Dancing Carpenter!)

This year's entry's included some fabulous products like:

Emtek's Galapagos Project Hardware (a collection of 3D printed hardware)

Brondell's Thinline Bidet Seat

Cooksy, a mini visual and thermal sensor that mounts above a stove for perfect cooking

Moen's Smart Faucet that is handle-less

Fotile's Air-Conditioning Range Hood

Bijou's new hardware collection

and SKS's 48" French Door Refridgerator (who ended up taking home the award for Biggest Bite!)

After a fun event, we took off our judges hats and made our way over to the Compac Surfaces Booth for a VIP Private Tour! Compac Surfaces is a Spanish Company that creates beautiful quartz, terrazo, and solid surface pieces for indoor and outdoor use. From kitchen countertops, outdoor barbecues, walls, flooring, and more- there is a color for every surface!

We learned about Compac's mission to be Socially Responsible with the environment and it was quite impressive to see how they recycle their materials, and minimize their overall carbon footprint.

My favorite colors were from the Genesis Series created by Arik Levy, I also liked their Terazzo line that was collaborated with Elisa Ossino.

We ended the day at the Signature Kitchen Suites Booth for a private event, KBIS Uncorked! This event was my first time seeing some of my design friends since the pandemic as well as meeting some I'd only interacted with on social media! It was such a fun experience and I'm so grateful for all our sponsors for including me on this beautiful trip!