Navigating K/BIS 2011: Planning will help you achieve better results in your showrooms
BY PETER SCHOR
Showroom specialist
There is no doubt that 2011 will be a more upbeat year for all of us in the showroom industry. It is a year that will continue to require more focus, creativity, and going back to the basics of what always worked in our showrooms.
K/BIS 2011 — Make smart choices
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (www.kbis.com) on April 26-28 in Las Vegas is expected to draw about 40,000 people. The show hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; and Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The show has gone to mid-week which has lower hotel rates and no penalty in air travel. This show is projected to have about 500 exhibitors covering around 300,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The much smaller turn-out by the luxury bath, plumbing, kitchen and decorative companies at K/BIS 2010 had been in the works for many years; despite the recession.
Educational venue at K/BIS 2011
The Opening Ceremony for K/BIS 2011 will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 8:30 am – 9:45 AM and is called “Disregard All Previous Instructions” by Pat Croce, speaker and former president of the Philadelphia 76ers NBA team, and how he brought them from the “worst to the best,” a great motivational Opening Keynote.
The “Shark Breakfast” on Wednesday, April 27, from 9:00 am - 10:15 am is for manufacturers and manufacturers’ reps. Manufacturers take tabletops and reps walk around the room looking for lines. Great concept but last year it had 51 manufacturers, which 40+ were kitchen – cabinets, components, cabinet hardware, surface materials, and more so the kitchen industry. While there are strict rules for non-exhibiting manufacturers walking the floor, which I 100% agree with, the NKBA allows non-exhibiting manufacturers to participate in the K/BIS “Shark Event.”
The NKBA Book Store is a great place to find visual books that are exceptional for your showroom.
These books help visitors determine the look and products that they desire.
Trade and consumer magazines at K/BIS
One of the greatest perks of the K/BIS Convention is that the magazines and FREE subscriptions are included in the “business to business category.” Most of the magazines are NOT assigned a booth until the middle of April or at show time. I would go on the K/BIS website (www.kbis.com) under “Exhibitor List” and look under “Publications – Business to Business” and “Publications – Consumer.” Last year I counted more than 21 magazine booths. If you come to their booth with a typed list of your other showrooms you can subscribe as a group. The “business to business” magazines are FREE to anyone attending K/BIS that have been pre-qualified. Make sure that you stop by the TMB Publications booth, where The Wholesaler, PHC News and Plumbing Engineer magazines are located! Also, make sure that you register your staff to get The Wholesaler magazine with my monthly showroom column. Did you know there are kiosks of industry magazines, FREE, right outside the show floor?
Great groups for all plumbing wholesalers to join:
• The DPHA (www.dpha.net). If you have a showroom and are not a member, you are missing out – big time! I have written articles on the value of this organization.
• Want to have a voice? Join the NAOPSP (www.naopsp.com), the National Association of Plumbing Showroom Professionals This group is a network of like professionals to interact with in all levels and responsibilities of the plumbing showroom profession including support, education and development resulting in positive change for the profession on a national level.
Sneak peak at what is new and hot
I will be writing in-depth about this subject in the April, May and July monthly columns of the magazine with product showcases. There are 70 new exhibitors at this event that I will be checking out for you — and tons of new products from the other 430 exhibiting. This alone is a great reason to come to K/BIS 2011!
Here are some quick gems on why you should come to K/BIS 2011:
• One of my best is Jet-Pro Shower Spas (www.jetproshowerspas.com), Booth # C-4480, which has been one of the hottest categories in Western Europe! Why? These “Shower Columns (panels)” are pre-plumbed and IAPMO pending approval and do not include the shower valve. You remove the shower arm, quick connect to the ½” I.P.S. and fasten it to the wall. In 15 minutes, you have “turned your shower into a spa retreat.” Trust me that it is only every consumer’s hit list! Consumer magazines and TV shows have talked about it. These units were tested under normal water pressure and were engineered to work. The company is rock solid!
• Aptations, a Kimball and Young Affiliate (www.aptations.com), Booth 5970, has their latest LED magnification mirrors and lights, Back Lit lighting mirrors, which came from extensive use in 5 star hotel baths; and they will have New Home Bath and Mirror, at their both whom has a shaving in the shower code approved fog free mirror and Young.
• American Standard Brands (www.americanstandardbrands.com) American Standard, Jado, Porcher and Safety Tubs (www.safetytubs.com), will be at Booth C-7038. Safety Tubs is the premier walk-in tubs has some new products, some for kids!
• Great Grabz (www.greatgrabz.com), Booth C-6428, a huge industry hit for years, will have their new “Unique Touch” coordinated series of accessories and cabinetry hardware is offered in over 14 translucent color selections, 13 Opaque colors and Glow in the Dark bar which will stay illuminated for up to 10 hours.
• Stainless Steel Living (www.stainlesssteelliving.com), Booth #C-4036 last year’s big hit, will be back with kitchen stainless steel backsplash packaged www.stainlesssteelliving.comunits in multiple patterns; stainless countertops – hot, hot!; and stainless tiles!
• Mr. Steam (www.mrsteam.com) has some innovative multiple steam and shower therapies – aromatherapy, chromatherapy, music therapy, and more along with gorgeous towel warmers.
• Teakworks4U (www.teakworks4u.com), Booth C-6498, has a wide selection of unique teak bathroom products which include safety benches.
While you are in Las Vegas, check out some of the best product-selling showrooms! Send me an e-mail (pschor@dynamicresultsinc.com), if you want to know the top ones to see in while you’re in town. Remember to check out the April issue of The Wholesaler (www.thewholesaler) for a complete scoop on what’s new and hot in products.
Have fun whether you are going to K/BIS 2011 or not. Remember, “Life is a journey, not a destination”!
Peter Schor, president of Dynamic Results Inc, is a bath/plumbing industry speaker, educator, author, columnist and consultant in the many segments of our industry. For the past 20 years, he conducted seminars and speaks at numerous conventions. Schor has great expertise in the field of showrooms and hotel bathrooms and has won many industry awards. He also consults manufacturers in taking their products to market in the areas of sales, marketing and public relations. Schor can be reached at 1302 Longhorn Lane, Lincoln, CA. 95648, phone 916/408-5346, fax: 916/408-5899. e-mail pschor@dynamicresultsinc.com or visit his web site: www.dynamicresultsonline.com.