Las Vegas — The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) today announced an agreement to co-locate the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas beginning February 2014.
The two events will remain separate and distinct shows held simultaneously at the Las Vegas Convention Center through 2016, creating Design and Construction Week, one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on new ideas, products and technologies to design, build and remodel homes.Â
“This new format allows exhibitors to reach a full range of design and construction professionals who buy, specify and influence the products that go into American homes,” said NAHB chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “For attendees, it means access to two expansive trade show floors and hundreds of additional suppliers to meet.”
“Two shows, two associations and one place to see and connect with every aspect of residential construction and remodeling,” said John Morgan, NKBA 2013 president and president of Morgan Pinnacle, a manufacturer’s representative for cabinetry and technology brands. “We couldn’t be more excited to deliver this special event for the industry.”
The new mega-event will be held Feb. 4 to 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, with each show occupying a separate hall. Kitchen and bath brands that have participated in both shows can choose to exhibit in the KBIS or IBS hall. One pass will provide access to both exhibits. NKBA and NAHB will continue to produce separate educational programming and special events. Future show dates are Jan. 20 to 22, 2015 and Jan. 19 to 21, 2016 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Design and Construction Week 2014 is expected to draw more than 75,000 specifiers, builders, dealers and suppliers and 2,000 exhibiting brands, based on recent trends for both shows.
IBS is the largest annual light construction show in the world with 50,000 attendees expected at the 2013 show. Builders, remodelers, developers, architects and other industry professionals from more than 100 countries attend to see the latest products and services from nearly 1,000 exhibitors in more than 200 construction categories, attend dozens of cutting-edge education sessions, visit show homes featuring the latest trends and innovations and network with peers. Now in its 69th year, IBS is organized, produced and managed exclusively by NAHB.
Held annually for the last 49 years, KBIS is the largest event in North America focused on the kitchen and bath segment, attracting more than 700 exhibitors. The 2013 show, to be held in New Orleans, April 19 to 21, is expected to attract more than 20,000 buyers and specifiers from more than 50 countries, as well as 300 members of the media. Attendees include dealers, designers, architects, remodelers, wholesalers and custom builders. KBIS is owned by NKBA, sponsored by K+BB magazine and produced by Nielsen Expositions.
“Co-locating IBS and KBIS will enable kitchen and bath professionals to benefit through a greater understanding and familiarity with related products, such as windows, doors, flooring, and mechanical systems, all of which are critical to overall consumer satisfaction with project outcomes,” Morgan said.
“Consumers are, indeed, the common ground between NAHB and NKBA,” Rutenberg said. “Co-locating our shows and educational conferences brings together every segment of the industry to advance our collective professionalism and expertise in serving home owners.”
In 2015, Design and Construction Week will expand further with the addition of Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, Jan. 21 to 23 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Surfaces is sponsored by the World Floor Covering Association and is the largest floor-covering industry event in North America for retailers, distributors, installers, designers and home builders. StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is the only show in North America solely focused on the natural stone industry and is sponsored by the Marble Institute of America and the Natural Stone Council. Both events are produced by Hanley Wood. Shuttle buses will run between the convention centers to allow approximately 25,000 additional attendees to tour all three exhibits.