IBS and KBIS 2024 Shows in Las Vegas are a Smash Hit

Design & Construction Week (DCW) in Las Vegas is a premier industry event, held last week at the Las Vegas Convention Center, that marks the convergence of the largest gatherings of residential design and construction professionals in North America. This hallmark week is the result of a collaboration between two major trade shows: The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). By co-locating these two significant events, DCW creates an expansive showcase of the latest products, technologies, and services for the home building and design sectors. It also significantly expands the networking potential by bringing together over 95,000 attendees from all sectors of the home building, design, and remodeling industry.  

The event attracted tens of thousands of attendees, ranging from builders, designers, architects, and remodelers to dealers and suppliers, and was packed with opportunities for professional development, including educational sessions, networking events, and an exhibition floor featuring hundreds of leading industry suppliers and manufacturers. The educational sessions covered a wide array of topics, from the latest market trends and business strategies to sustainability practices and technological innovations in the construction and design industries. 

Aside from showcasing innovative product, both shows facilitate professional development through dozens of educational seminars, and offer networking opportunities. Together these two shows create a combined event that rivals Milan’s Salone Del Mobile, and they are definitely giving ICFF a run for its money, as they bring on more design-driven product and content.  

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), for example, is a pivotal event for professionals in the design and construction industry, particularly those specializing in kitchen and bath spaces. As the largest show of its kind in North America, KBIS provides a comprehensive platform for attendees to explore the latest trends, technologies, and products. This year’s event features more than 600 exhibitors, accounting for 450,000 square feet of event space-the largest KBIS to date. ICFF claims to have 600 exhibitors this year at the Javits Center, but the typical size of a booth at ICFF pales in comparison to what the visitor experiences at KBIS or IBS. 

Both KBIS and IBS have created an overall elevated experience. This year for example, KBIS created a new Luxury Lounge programming space, which held panel discussions that were specifically tailored to appeal to those in the luxury design space. “Luxury is a critical – and growing – area for the industry, and we’re excited to dedicate a space to this priority,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “This impressive lineup…will provide KBIS attendees with expert insight into the high-end market, making it an unmissable addition to this year’s KBIS programming.” 

KBIS offered an extensive program of educational sessions, workshops, and panel discussions led by industry experts. These sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics, from design and construction techniques to business and marketing strategies. Sessions on sustainable design practices, digital marketing tactics, and the latest in smart home technology were all popular with attendees.  

KBIS is renowned for displaying the newest products and innovations in the kitchen and bath industry, and last week’s show was filled with hundreds of leading brands participating, making the event a treasure trove of the latest in cabinetry, countertops, flooring, hardware, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. This exposure is critical for designers and builders seeking to incorporate the most current trends and technologies into their projects. For example, a few of the exhibitors showcased the use of leading technologies where Thompson showcased a sink design was generated by AI, and Kohler displayed its Rista 3D-printed sink, developed with Daniel Arsham.  

The huge size of the exhibitor booths meant that companies not only showcased their latest products, but they very often created vignettes so that it was easy for visitors to imagine the products in a residential setting. Cosentino, Cambria and GE Monogram were brands that embraced this direction, and in some instances creating vignettes that would be perfect for influencers who play a big role in promoting their brands–something the commercial office sector could learn from. 

With the commercial office industry taking its cues from residential trends, the show was useful for an overview of inspirational trends in colors, textures, and finishes. For example, the KBIS Best in Show award and the People’s Pick award both went to FreePower for its countertop with embedded wireless charging technology—something that could easily work in an office, hospitality, or other commercial setting. Zip Water’s HydroTap Celsius All-in-One Plus with Pull-Down Sprayer was another popular product that goes beyond a residential use. The company’s innovative water filtration system allows the user access to chilled, sparkling, and boiling water, all from the same tap. It’s a gamechanger as no other brand ever has been able to create a multifunctional pulldown tap that can continue to dispense different manners of filtered water.  The synergy of IBS and KBIS under the umbrella of DCW amplifies the value for participants by providing a more comprehensive overview of the entire residential design and construction landscape. Attendees have the unique advantage of accessing the combined resources, knowledge, and networks of both shows, making it an efficient and productive experience for exploring new products, gaining insights, and forging business relationships. (When ICFF and Lightfair were co-located in New York last year, visitors needed separate passes to visit each event). 

The tremendous success of this year’s Design & Construction Week means that the shows are not only serve as a pivotal gathering point for industry professionals to learn and exchange ideas but also as a barometer for the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of residential design and construction. We heard from several manufacturers that NAHB is wanted to promote more architecture and design content to its visitors. With the massive size of both shows, it was often necessary to take the Tesla loop between halls. No doubt, next year’s shows—the dates are February 25-27, 2025, in Las Vegas–are a must attend event for anyone interested in architecture and design.