This week is THE trade show dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry – KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show). I’ve attended this remodeling show for years, and it is a marvelous opportunity to see the latest kitchen and bath products being released, gain insight into what industry-leading remodeling companies see for the future and where they will be spending their research and development monies. For example, I remember induction cooktops showed up three years ago and I knew when I came home from that show that I needed to cook on one to see if it was in fact all it appeared to be (more on that in a later blog!).

I think the most valuable take-aways from KBIS are the revelations, experiences, and thoughts of my colleagues and peers across the country. Inevitably, I meet new folks and have cocktails (it is a trade show!) with friends from prior years. I remember a recent KBIS trip where we had a 2-row bus-seat discussion on how to optimally install a marble countertop so that it would retain its cool surface temperature. In the end, our clients benefit from these robust discussions and the Kitchen Design Concepts team gets re-charged with new insights.

Well, I’m off to Chicago today. I know I’ll have fun, be exhausted at the end of each day, meet new people, and come home with several great kitchen and bath remodeling ideas – which, of course, I’ll be sharing with you.