Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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NKBA to Merge Designations HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Association has announced changes to its design certifcation program that are aimed at raising the bar on industry professionalism while simplifying the com- plexity of the certifcation process. The changes include the introduction of a new Certifed Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD) accreditation, which will integrate two existing certifcations: the Certifed Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bath Designer (CBD) designation. Other changes include more rigorous continuing education unit (CEU) require- ments and more access to testing. Candidates interested in applying for NKBA certifcations will now be able to do so year-round at over 300 comput- erized testing facilities in the U.S. and Canada, according to NKBA ofcials. The enhancements to the certifcation program were spearheaded by the Certification Task Force, led by Chair Denise Dick, CMKBD, in response to member surveys, as well as member requests for exams that are more accessible to potential candidates. All changes will go into efect on July 1, 2016. 2016 Seminar Kickof Set for This Month WILMETTE, IL — This month will mark the 2016 kickof for the latest seminar series being brought to the nation's design trade by Kitchen & Bath Design News. KBDN's new educational initiative – "Client Engagement Strategies for Today's Evolving Market" – will debut on Feb. 24 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center in Atlanta. The seminar series will see KBDN brought "live" to eight key markets through an in-depth program aimed at enhanc- ing the client-engagement skills of kitchen/bath dealers, designers and related professionals. The program will feature a pair of experienced industry educators delivering content created by Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, widely con- sidered the industry's leading design authority. "Among the topics to be addressed in this timely and exciting program will be how both traditional and virtual showrooms are undergoing a revolutionary change, with the advent of new digital tools, including kitchen/bath-related apps, smart phones, mobile devices, augmented reality and powerful new software," said KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin (see related Editorial, Page 7). "Attendees will learn how to create proftable client-en- gagement experiences in traditional, brick-and-mortar showrooms, as well as virtual environments," Sefrin said, adding that emphasis "will be on how design frms of all sizes and business models can leverage traditional product displays, cutting-edge digital technologies and updated sales-presentation strategies aimed at key client cohorts." Aside from Atlanta, 2016 seminars are scheduled for March 22 in San Francisco, April 21 in St. Louis, May 25 in Boston, June 28 in Minneapolis, Sept. 21 in Denver, Oct. 19 in Chicago, and Nov. 9 in Seattle. Corporate sponsors that have committed to support the seminars include Broan, Geberit, Jenn-Air, Rev-A-Shelf, Showplace Wood Products and Wellborn Forest Products, according to Sefrin. Presenters will be Jennifer Gilmer, CKD, and Eric Schimelpfenig, AKBD. Gilmer is founder and owner of Chevy Chase, MD-based Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, a leading design frm in the Greater mid-Atlantic region (see related story, Page 26). A CKD since 1992, she is a 30-year industry veteran who has designed more than 1,000 kitchens, many of which have been featured in national publications and won awards, including the NKBA's 'Pinnacle of Design' Award. Schimelpfenig is the founder of SketchThis.Net and a leading authority on cutting-edge technology impacting the kitchen and bath industry. He has utilized 3D technology throughout his career as a kitchen/bath designer, educator and corporate consultant, and is a KBDN columnist. CEU credit from NKBA will be applicable. Additional details, including hotel locations and corporate sponsors, will be announced, Sefrin noted. Information about attending or sponsoring the 2016 semi - nars can be obtained by visiting www.KBDNseminars.com, or calling Publisher Paul DeGrandis at (847) 421-2737. KBDN-RICKI Event Explores Major Kitchen & Bath Trends LAS VEGAS — Consumers are reporting that their budgets have increased across all categories of kitchen purchases – including major appliances, storage-organization features, countertops and cabinetry – while a majority of kitchen/bath designers believe business will continue to improve in 2016. Those are among the key insights, culled from recent surveys of homeowners and designers, that were explored at an hour-long presentation sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News during last month's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. KBDN's third annual KBIS breakfast presentation, entitled "Form, Function & Fantasy: Kitchen & Bath Trends Through the Eyes of Homeowners & Designers," drew an audience of more than 100 product manufacturers and marketers. The presentation was produced in conjunction with two of KBDN's strategic partners: the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) and Wray Ward, a Charlotte, NC-based advertising agency representing several brands in the home and building sector. "As 2016 gets underway in earnest, what seems clear is that the housing market – along with its residential remodeling and kitchen/bath niches – is poised for steady, sustainable growth, fueled by several key economic, demographic and lifestyle fac- tors," said KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin. The KBIS presentation, said Sefrin and KBDN Publisher Paul Degrandis, was moti- vated by two core beliefs. "The frst is that the kitchen and bath industry, irrespective of economic cycles, is a dynamic, fast-changing, fashion-driven entity that requires product manufacturers and markets to remain not only closely attuned to the key forces constantly reshaping the market, but armed and ready to turn on a dime as the market continues to evolve," Degrandis said. "Our second core belief is that timely, actionable research is a critical tool that can help manufacturing decision-makers pinpoint trends, better understand their customers and make astute product and marketing decisions," he noted. KBDN's goal as a market-leading information source, Degrandis added, "is to marry those core beliefs – to examine the latest research into the key forces shaping today's market, and to suggest how manufacturers and marketers can leverage that intelligence to pinpoint opportunities, map strategy, drive innovation and generate greater profts." Among the research fndings presented to attendees were the following: • While 29% of surveyed homeowners say they'd prefer a smaller home if they were purchasing one now, relatively few (14%) would give up kitchen space. If reducing the size of their kitchen, the last thing they'd want to sacrifce is counter space. • Among the items homeowners consider "very important" for their next kitchen are a natural stone countertop (49%), a walk-in pantry (41%), central island (39%) and small-appliance storage (34%). Among kitchen "must-haves" are full-extension drawers, a trash recycling bin, deep drawers and accessible storage. At the same time, consumers say they are most likely to splurge on countertops, an island and custom or semi-custom cabinets. • Bathroom must-haves include "his-and-her" vanities, water-saving showerheads/ toilets, customized storage, radiant-heated foors and natural stone countertops. They are most likely to splurge on countertops, shower systems, vanities, faucets and storage features. Over 100 product manufacturers and marketers attended KBDN's third annual KBIS breakfast presentation, which was produced with KBDN partners RICKI and Wray Ward. 12 Kitchen & Bath Design News • February 2016 INDUSTRY UPDATE NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS IMPACTING THE KITCHEN AND BATH MARKET