Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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Natz Joins KCMA; Succeeds Titus RESTON, VA — The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association has an- nounced that Betsy Natz will succeed Dick Titus as its chief staf executive and CEO beginning this month. Titus is retiring after serving as KCMA's executive v.p. for the past 35 years. He will remain involved until June 1, 2016. "Dick Titus and his wife, Janet, have done an outstanding job for the association and the industry for a long period of time. A high standard has been set and a solid base established to help move the asso- ciation forward," said KCMA President Mark Trexler. KBDN Introduces Design Competition WILMETTE, IL — As a way to recognize the best designs in the kitchen and bath industry, Kitchen & Bath Design News is launching the Kitchen & Bath Design Awards. The competition is open to kitchen and bath designers, dealers, re- modelers and others who specialize in the design of kitchens, baths, specialty rooms, and kitchen and bath showrooms. Categories in the competition include: • Best Kitchen over $250,000 • Best Kitchen $100,000 to $250,000 • Best Kitchen under $100,000 • Best Master Bathroom over $100,000 • Best Master Bathroom under $100,000 • Best Powder Room • Best Kitchen Showroom • Best Bathroom Showroom • Best Universal Design Kitchen or Bath • Best Specialty Project Entries will be judged by a panel of top kitch- en and bath designers based on a range of criteria, including aesthetic appeal, func- tionality, originality and overall impression. Registration for the competition opens on January 15, 2016 and will run through May 2, 2016. Winners will be profled in the August 2016 issue of KBDN. "The creativity our industry puts forth bringing to life amazing spaces is truly re- markable," said Paul DeGrandis, publisher of KBDN and president of SOLA Group. "It is time we celebrate those individuals and their work, and we are committing the August issue of KBDN to do so." For more information or to receive an en- try form, visit www.KBDNAwards.com o r co n t a c t H e i d i Re i d l a t H e i d i @ SOLAbrands.com. Dates Set for 2016 KBDN Seminars WILMETTE, IL — Dates have been announced for the new seminar series being launched in 2016 by Kitchen & Bath Design News. The educational initiative — "Client Engagement Strategies for Today's Evolving Market" — will bring KBDN "live" to eight key U.S. markets through an in-depth program aimed at enhancing the client-engagement skills of kitchen/bath dealers, designers and related professionals. The seminar series will feature a pair of experienced industry educators delivering a program created by Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, widely considered to be the industry's leading design authority. Among the topics to be addressed will be how both tradi- tional 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, according to KBDN Publisher Emeritus Eliot Sefrin. "The focus of KBDN's exciting new program will be on creating and marketing proftable client-engagement experiences in both traditional, brick-and-mortar showrooms as well as vir- tual environments," Sefrin said, adding that specifc 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, including the younger, more digitally savvy consumers currently impacting the market." CEU credit from NKBA will be applicable. 2016 seminars are scheduled for Feb. 24 in Atlanta, 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 who have committed to support the seminars include Broan, Geberit, Jenn-Air, Rev-A-Shelf, Showplace Wood Products and Wellborn Forest Products, according to Sefrin. Additional sponsors are expected to be named in the near future, Sefrin added. Presenters for the seminars 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-Atlan- tic region. A CKD since 1992, she is a 30-year industry veteran and has designed more than 1,000 kitchens, many of which have been fea- tured 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 tech- nology 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. Information about attending or sponsoring any of the 2016 seminars can be obtained by visiting KBDN's Web site, www.KBDNseminars.com, or calling publisher Paul DeGrandis at (847) 920-9510. Giorgi Kitchens & Designs Receives Honor WILMINGTON, DE — The Delaware Better Business Bu- reau has honored Giorgi Kitchens & Designs as the winner of the 23rd Annual Edward M. Rush, Sr. Memorial Award for a family-run business. Established in honor of Rush's memory for setting high standards for a family-owned business, the award is given annually to an outstanding family-owned and operated Better Business Bureau Accredited Business that also exemplifes the ideals of community service. The award was presented to Joseph Giorgi, Jr., CKD, president of Giorgi Kitchens & Designs. His father Joseph Giorgi, Sr. and his uncle, Pietro (Pete) A. Giorgi, Sr., CMKBD, the founders of Giorgi Kitchens & Designs 55 years ago, were in attendance, as well as Joseph, Jr.'s business partner, brother Thomas (Tom) S. Giorgi. A third-generation Giorgi, Vincent Panella, also enjoyed the event, along with members of the extended Giorgi family. Giorgi Kitchens & Designs was one of the frst 100 members of the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers (AIKD), which later became the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). The company continues to support the association with Joseph Gi- orgi, Jr.'s volunteerism as an NKBA Mid-Atlantic Chapter ofcer. Celebrating the honor for Giorgi Kitchens & Designs is (pictured l. to r.): Ellen Cheever-Giorgi ASID,CMKBD; Pietro A Giorgi, Sr. CMKBD; Terri Kilgus; Joseph A. Giorgi, Sr.; Joseph A. Giorgi, Jr., CKD; Dawn Giorgi; Thomas Giorgi; Marguerite Argelander and Vincent Panella. Gilmer Schimelpfenig Photo: Scott Ellis Photography, scott@ellisphotog.com 14 Kitchen & Bath Design News • January 2016 INDUSTRY UPDATE NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS IMPACTING THE KITCHEN AND BATH MARKET