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10 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | February 2015 Industry Update { Noteworthy developments impacting the kitchen and bath market } 2015 KBDN Seminar Series Kicks Of This Month Wilmette, IL — This month marks the kickof of the newest edition of "Art + Science," the series of all-day seminars being presented by Kitchen & Bath Design News in eight key metro markets throughout 2015. The well-received seminar series, now in its third and final year, will kick off Feb. 26 at the Doubletree by Hilton, Miami Convention Center. The program will also be presented in cities that include New Orleans, Indianapolis, Nashville, Cleveland, Kansas City, Baltimore/Washington, DC and San Diego, according to KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin. Tentative 2015 dates and targeted cities, be- yond this month, include: à March 26, New Orleans. à April 16, Indianapolis. à May 8, Nashville. à June 18, Cleveland. à September 25, Kansas City. à October 29, Baltimore/Washington, DC. à November 19, San Diego. Corporate cosponsors of the educational ini- tiative include BEST, Hafele America, Jenn-Air, Rev-A-Shelf and Showplace Wood Products. Additional sponsors, along with specific hotel locations, will be announced in the near future, according to Sefrin. Art + Science – subtitled "How Contemporary Design & Cutting-Edge Technology Can Increase Profts & Resonate With Today's New Clients" – was rolled out in 2013. Aimed at kitchen and bath de- signers looking to refresh their creative talents and expand their technological skills, "Art + Science" is targeted at identifying "what's next" in design and technology so that design professionals can better address the needs of a younger, less-traditional cli- ent while increasing company profts in the New Digital Age. "Art + Science" spotlights the growing trend toward contemporary kitchens and baths that re- quire an entirely new way of managing the space and connecting the elements of the room. Also featured is a multimedia program that presents a vision of the industry's digital present and future, including ways design professionals can leverage cutting-edge technological tools from initial client contact through fnal contract. Leading the programs is a pair of KBDN con- tributors: Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, widely considered to be the nation's premier kitchen and bath design authority, and Eric Schimelpfenig, AKBD, a leading authority on cutting-edge technology impacting the kitchen and bath industry. Information about attending or sponsoring any of the 2015 programs can be obtained by visiting KBDN's website, www.ForResidentialPros.com, or calling publisher Paul Degrandis at 847-920-9510 . KBIS 2015 Registers Strong Showing in Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV — The 2015 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show wrapped up its 51st annual show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Visitors Center last month. More than 500 exhibitors took part in the three-day event, which took place from January 20-22, 2015 as part of the larger Design & Construction Week. According to KBIS producers, Emerald Expo- sitions, and show owners, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, early indicators show the 2015 event saw a five per- cent growth in verified attendance. "Ever y thing about this year's show lived up to the promise of big- ger, better and bolder," said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. "We were thrilled, not only by the turnout, but by how many innovations were intro- duced by exhibitors this year." The addition of 500,000 square feet in the South Hall offered the opportunity to provide 'on floor' programming, as well as additional ex- hibit space. Branded as KBISNeXT, the area was a destination for discovering the next ideas, trends and innovations in the kitchen and bath industry. In addition to programming on the KBISNeXT Stage, the South Hall area also featured a Tech Bar and the FutureHaus Kitchen, presented by Virginia Tech. The NKBA's Voices From The Industry delivered more than 90 ed- ucational sessions in 11 conference blocks. Many of the sessions ofered Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the NKBA as well as other indus- try associations, including the National Association of Homebuilders, National Association of the Remodeling Industry and American Institute of Architects. In collaboration with the NAHB, KBIS co-located with the International Builders' Show for the second annual Design & Construction Week. Two additional design and construction events – the winter 2015 Las Vegas Market, and The International Surface Event – SURFACES and The Tile Expo took part in this year's event. The International Window Coverings Expo also con- tinued its participation. It is estimated that more than 125,000 designers, builders, dealers and suppliers and more than 300 members of the me- dia attended this year's combined event. A s t h e f o u n d i n g members of Design & Construction Week, the NKBA and NAHB announced that their respective trade shows will continue to co-locate together through 2020 as one of the world's largest gather- ings focused on new ideas, products and technologies to design, build and remodel homes. "KBIS 2015 and our participa- tion in Design & Construction Week was a huge success," added Brian Pagel, v.p., Kitchen & Bath, Emerald Expositions. "We are incredibly ex- cited about the future of these events given the prospect of a stronger housing market in 2015." "Co-locating our respective shows brought together every segment of the industry, advancing our collective professionalism and expertise," said Kevin Kelly, chairman of NAHB and a home builder and developer from Wilmington, DE. "By extending this important relationship, we will con- tinue to provide our attendees and exhibitors the best experiences and opportunities possible." "In only its second year, Design and Construction Week is already the mega-event of the industry," said Maria Stapperfenne, CKD, CBD, 2015 NKBA president. "All of our profession- als can come together once a year to see the newest products and design trends, build relationships and beneft from all of the cutting-edge profes- sional development." The 2016 mega-event will be held Jan. 19-21, 2016 in Las Vegas. One pass will continue to provide access to all separate exhibits. Future show dates are Jan. 10-12, 2017 and Jan. 9-11, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. ERICSCHIMELPFENIG, AKBD ELLENCHEEVER,CMKBD, ASID,CAPS More than 500 exhibitors welcomed strong crowds of industry professionals at the Las Vegas Convention Center during KBIS 2015. Photo: NKBA