Angi is offering a limited-time only promotion to the association’s members.
By Seth Ellison
Through NKBA’s partnership with Angi, members now have a chance to receive a 25 percent discount on a one-time bundle and waived membership ($288 value), along with a 10 percent quarterly rebate. The offer is valid through April 30.
Used by millions of homeowners, Angi enables businesses to seamlessly connect with their target audience and grow their customer base. Professional service providers can use the platform to build and market their businesses by receiving leads targeted to their job type and location. This ensures they have a higher chance of winning jobs and beating the competition.
Additionally, businesses can optimize their leads by targeting larger areas or single ZIP codes based on their preferences, while collecting and responding to reviews to build their reputation. Businesses can also get personalized advice from their account manager to align their marketing and business goals as well as manage their business on the go with the Angi Pro Leads app.
Go here to take advantage of Angi’s NKBA member-only special offer before April 30.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, sales at retail stores fell by 1.2 percent in March to $598.6 billion, a reduction from the all-time sales high of $605.6 billion reached in February. This is an economic metric that tracks consumer demand for finished goods. Sales were either flat or down in four of the last five months. Compared to a year earlier, sales in March were 1.6 percent higher.
Sales were down across most categories, except for four of them. Internet & Mail Order sales saw the highest month over month increase, rising by 1.9 percent — and they were also up by 12.4 percent from the previous year. Sales were $115.6 billion, representing almost one in five retail dollars (19 percent).
Health & Personal Care stores sales went up by 0.3 percent in March, rising to $35 billion. Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instruments & Bookstores had sales of $9.4 billion, which were up 0.2 percent. Restaurants & Bars, totalling $93.1 billion sales, increased by 0.1 percent.
The sales data identified only two categories that are of primary interest to our membership: Building Materialsand Electronics and Appliances. Sales at building materials stores, which also include garden equipment and supply dealers, fell by 2.1 percent in March to $41.5 billion. Sales of building materials have declined since October, when they reached their highest volume ever at $43.5 billion.
Electronics & Appliances stores sales fell by 2.1 percent to $6.9 billion. Sales in this group fell every month since May of last year — with the exception of January, when they were up 5.9 percent. In general, sales at specialized outlets such as Electronics & Appliances stores have lost market share to internet websites and home improvement stores.
On an annual basis, Restaurants & Barssaw the largest gain in sales, rising by 13.9 percent and totalling $93.1 billion. Another category with a large gain was Food & Beverage, which generated $81.3 billion in sales, up by 5.6 percent year-over-year. The largest store type within the Food & Beverage group is Grocery Stores, which accounted for $72.9 billion and was up 5.8 percent.
There was a sharp drop in the number of jobs open in the first two months of this year. In February, there were a total of 9.93 million open jobs, and in January, there were 10.56 million — while in December 2022, there were 11.23 million. Additionally, there were 2.1 million fewer open jobs available in February than the peak number of jobs available in March 2022.
The highest number of openings were in health fields, with 1.68 million jobs available. This number represented one in six of all open jobs, or 17 percent of the total. Even though employment in health has recovered all the jobs that were lost during the pandemic, this industry is still facing a large need for workers.
The hospitality sector saw the second-highest number of openings: 1.3 million available jobs. But unlike the health sector, employment in hospitality was still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels by 2.4 percent. There were 14.1 million jobs in the hospitality industry — and the vast majority of them (almost nine in 10) were in “food service” establishments, such as bars, cafeterias, etc., with the remainder being hotel jobs.
Among categories closer to some of our members’ businesses, there were 412 thousand openings in construction, accounting for 4.1 percent of all job openings in February. Compared to the previous month, job openings rose by 129 thousand. The construction sector saw 349 thousand job separations (156 thousand of which were persons quitting their job) and 369 thousand hirings. Compared to a year earlier — when the construction industry had 421 thousand openings — the number of open jobs in February was slightly lower.
Government, including all levels, had nearly one million available jobs, accounting for about 10 percent of job openings. The vast majority of these jobs were at the state and local levels, 86 percent of the total. Out of these, one-third were at state and local educational institutions.
Other areas with a large number of available jobs were retail businesses, with 829 thousand openings, and Manufacturing, which had 694 thousand open jobs.
Spring is here and we cannot wait for warmer weather and outdoor entertaining. In anticipation of our upcoming Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Summit on May 18, 2023, we are publishing a special NKBA ‘members only’ cookbook featuring outdoor cooking recipes.
Submit Your Recipe
Do you love cooking and entertaining outside? We want to publish your favorite outdoor-inspired recipes and share them with the association.
To participate, you must be an NKBA member and your recipe must also be your own — meaning an original or a family favorite. From refreshing salads to guilty-pleasure desserts to mouth-watering mains, submissions are open to all diets and tastes — whether you are a carnivore, omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan – we want to hear from you!
If selected, we will send you a free copy, and of course, you get the bragging rights. So if you have something you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you, as we celebrate all things al fresco!
The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.4 percent in February, close to the average monthly increase seen over the last six months. Year over year, the CPI registered a 6.0 percent increase. The pace of annual inflation slowed down, with the annual CPI growth almost half a percentage point lower than January’s annual increase of 6.4 percent.
Core inflation — which excludes the more volatile energy and food prices — pointed to faster inflation in February. Core prices increased by 0.5 percent, higher than the previous two months when they grew by 0.4 percent each month. Core inflation has risen over the last four months.
Consumer prices for housing products and services also rose by 0.5 percent in February. This was slightly higher than the overall CPI increase, but lower than the 0.7 percent average of the previous 12 months. On an annual basis, the housing CPI grew by 8.2 percent, a shade below the 8.3 percent recorded in January — yet these two months have seen the highest annual increase since 1982.
Among product categories closer to some of our members’ businesses, the Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers price data for three products: Appliances, Windows and Flooring. Annual inflation for Appliances rose to just 1.6 percent in February, up from 1.4 percent the previous month. For major appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers, which are more dependent on new housing construction, annual inflation was down 5.9 percent. In contrast, prices for other appliances such as microwaves were up 6.2 percent from a year earlier.
Window prices were down 3.3 percent in February, following an increase of 5.8 percent in January. Yet, annual inflation increased over the last four months — rising to 2.4 percent in November 2022, 3.2 percent in December 2022, 7.2 percent in January of this year, and, finally, to 9.7 percent in February.
Prices for Flooring products went up by 0.3 percent in February, bringing annual inflation to 8.4 percent. As high as it may seem, however, annual inflation was nearly 15 percent lower than it was just six months ago.
Photos of Kingsborough Community College’s “Food for Thought Food Pantry” and their new refrigeration from LG!
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
LG teams up with Swipe Out Hunger: LG Electronics USA has partnered with Swipe Out Hunger, a non-profit that addresses student food insecurity, to provide healthy meals to more than 500,000 college students in need. The program seeks to raise awareness and ensure that food pantries on campuses around the country have appropriate refrigeration. LG is providing 120 refrigerators to 60 campuses in Swipe Out Hunger’s network and will stock them with healthy foods and provide grants to an additional 40 schools to upgrade their current refrigeration. Learn more here.
Delta Faucet talks KBIS trends: As part of its Pipeline webinar series and community network, Delta Faucet Co. hosted a discussion last week on several themes selected from KBIS. Faye Adams, corporate learning lead for Delta, examined trends offered by Elle H-Millard, CKD, CLIPP, corporate learning lead for DFC, and Allison Fannin, designer and construction project manager of Two Thirty-Five Designs and a member of the Design Hounds trendspotting team. Among the key topics were lifestyle shifts toward health and wellness, clutter-free ease and convenience, creating luxurious spaces and more. To view the webinar, visit PipelinebyDFC.com.
Image courtesy of Thor Kitchen
Thor’s latest tilt: Thor Kitchen has introduced a new style of electric ranges as part of its portfolio of energy-efficient cooking appliances. Tilt Panel Professional Electric Ranges feature a touch-control motorized panel that adjusts the viewing angle for better accessibility and functionality. The range comes in a 30- or 36-inch width, features a cooktop with five heating elements and an oven with multiple cooking options. More info here.
Image courtesy of Egger Woods
Egger expands: Egger Wood Products has invested $21 million to expand capacity on its thermally-fused laminate production capacity by 50 percent in its Lexington, NC, factory — bumping production to more than 155 million square feet per year and alleviating supply chain and logistical challenges. Egger said it will also invest an additional $22 million to install a decorative paper impregnation line. The new lamination and impregnation lines will add 40 new jobs and cut lead times significantly. KBB has more.
Trade Events
Lumens to Host Women in Design Summit: Lighting specialist Lumens is hosting a virtual Women in Design Summit, March 28, starting at 9 a.m. (PT). The live virtual summit will feature conversations with design industry thought leaders moderated by Lumens SVP of Growth & Innovation Patricia Kittredge and also featuring designers Patricia Urquiola, Thabisa Mjo, Rosie Li, Lucie Koldova, Constance Guisset, Jette Scheib and Emiliana Martinelli. The second panel, The Business of Design, will be moderated by Lumens CEO Laura Walsh and includes executives and curators Roberta Silva, Carlotta de Bevilacqua, Joana Bover, Amelie Du Passage and Benedicte Collod. The webinars are part of the Lumens Trade Education Program and are CEU-qualified. More info and registration here.
Image via Salone del Mobile.
Salone del Mobile set for April: The Salone del Mobile trade fair in Milan is set for April 18-23 at the Rho Fairgrounds. The mega-show showcases all major aspects of interior design, furniture, home accessories and includes kitchen cabinetry, storage, appliances, spa and bath products and more. To register and for more info, go here.
Image courtesy of Coverings
Coverings heads to Orlando: Coverings, North America’s largest trade show dedicated to the international tile and stone materials, takes place April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Its three main sponsors include Ceramics of Italy (COI), Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and Tile of Spain (TOS), and it will include a presentation of a robust expo of the newest tile, stone and installation products by more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries — plus educational workshops, show tours, on-demand content and more. Additional info here.
People News
Gower to lead Smeg U.S.: Rod Gower has been named general manager for U.S. operations of Italian appliance maker Smeg. Gower joins Smeg from LG, where he held leadership roles and was instrumental in building its luxury Signature Kitchen Suite brand and the LG Builder Channel. Smeg is known for its sleek Italian design and engineering, retro styling and collaborations with Fiat and Dolce & Gabbana and licensing Disney and Peanuts characters. More Info here.
James Simon Galerie in Berlin. Photo by Simon Menges
Chipperfield wins Pritzker: British architect David Chipperfield has won the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize for his work spanning four decades. The selection jury praised him for his “commitment to an architecture of understated but transformative civic presence.” He is the founder of David Chipperfield Architects in London and has offices in Berlin, Milan, Shanghai and Santiago de Compostela. Dezeen has more.
Lauren Santo Domingo. Courtesy of Tiffany & Co
Tiffany & Co. taps home director: Iconic jeweler Tiffany & Co. has appointed Lauren Santo Domingo as its first artistic director for the home category. Santo Domingo, cofounder and chief brand officer for Moda Operandi, is working in partnership with Tiffany’s housewares design and production team in an advisory capacity, according to Women’s Wear Daily. The appointment signals a push in home furnishings, which include tabletop, glassware, Limoges porcelain, Murano hand-blown glass and more. WWD has the story.
Chapter News
Queen’s Cup in Carolina: The Carolina Chapter will be hosting its annual VIP tent at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase at Brooklandwood racetrack in Mineral Springs, NC. The event takes place on April 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., in the exclusive Member’s Hill area with badge-only admittance. NKBA guests have all-inclusive access to food and an open bar. Members are $300, non-members are $450 for tent access. Limited VIP parking passes are $50. Sponsored by Ferguson, proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. More info and tickets here.
High Point x Design hosts the first-ever short-term rental summit at the High Point Market.
By Seth Ellison
Call them what you want: Airbnb, Vrbo or short-term/vacation rentals. What’s not debatable is their importance in today’s rental market, which translates into big business for interior designers. Next month, High Point x Design (HPxD) and High Point Market Authority will host a two-day summit, Vacation Rental Design (VRD) Summit, taking a deep dive into the role design and interior designers play in short-term rental success.
Last month at KBIS 2023, the NEXT Stage hosted a panel, Emerging Market: Designing for Short-term Rental Market, moderated by Jane Dagmi, Managing Director of High Point x Design (HPxD), which provided insight into the subject. During the panel, they discussed how designers could make vacation rentals attain their full potential in a $20 billion market that will reach 1.45 million properties this year.
In addition to great photographs of the rental, exceptional amenities and integrated smart technology, the panel agreed that kitchen and bath design is key to selling the space, ensuring re-bookings and making more income from the property. This is because that’s where people see the value and gain inspiration in a property. Renters ultimately want a fantasy different from what they have at home.
Register for the Vacation Rental Design Summit
The panel discussion at KBIS 2023 was just the warm-up for the Vacation Rental Design (VRD) Summit in High Point, NC, which will unpack this fast-paced hybrid segment of design and celebrate the possibilities, including logistics, sourcing, profitability, technology, branding, photography and more. During the event, NKBA’s SVP of Marketing + Digital, Pam McNally, will speak on vacation rental trends and moderate a panel recapping KBIS.
To register for the Vacation Rental Design Summit at Highpoint, click here. Make sure to enter the special NKBA discount code: NKBA2023VRDS. Valid through March 31st for NKBA members only.
Spring is here and we cannot wait for warmer weather and outdoor entertaining. In anticipation of our upcoming Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Summit on May 18, 2023, we are publishing a special NKBA ‘members only’ cookbook featuring outdoor cooking recipes.
Submit Your Recipe
Do you love cooking and entertaining outside? We want to publish your favorite outdoor-inspired recipes and share them with the association.
To participate, you must be an NKBA member and your recipe must also be your own — meaning an original or a family favorite. From refreshing salads to guilty-pleasure desserts to mouth-watering mains, submissions are open to all diets and tastes — whether you are a carnivore, omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan – we want to hear from you!
If selected, we will send you a free copy, and of course, you get the bragging rights. The submissions close on April 13, 2023, so if you have something you’d like t share, we’d love to hear from you, as we celebrate all things al fresco!
According to the Monthly Construction Report released on March 1, 2023 by the U.S. Census Bureau, the residential construction spending annual rate fell by 0.6 percent to $847 billion this January, continuing the eight month decline that started last May. During this period of decline, spending went down by nearly one hundred billion dollars. However, January also saw a rise in homeowners’ spending on remodeling and improvement of their properties.
The contraction in residential spending was due to the fall in construction of new single family houses. This component fell by 1.7 percent in January to $374 billion. In contrast, the other two components — construction of new multifamily housing units and homeowner remodeling — actually rose, partly offsetting the single family drop.
Multifamily housing rose, but by only 0.4 percent, the smallest monthly increase in five months. Still, it did bring the value of spending to a $121 billion annual rate — 20 percent higher than it was in January 2022.
Homeowners’ spending on remodeling and improvement of their properties also rose in January, but by just 0.3 percent to $352 billion. This rate of spending was 7 percent lower than in the middle of last year, when homeowners were spending at a $379 billion annual rate. Despite the slower pace, however, homeowners were spending more than twice as much as pre-pandemic levels.
Unlike residential construction, nonresidential sector spending increased in January by nearly one percent. Total spending on private non-residential buildings rose 0.9 percent to $595 billion. This is the highest level of spending ever, up 19 percent from a year earlier.
The construction of manufacturing buildings component accounted for nearly a quarter of total nonresidential spending in January, with a spending rate of $139 billion. Spending in January was 6 percent higher than in the previous month, and a whopping 53 percent higher than in the previous year.
As for construction of commercial buildings, this component rose by 4.7 percent in January to $121 billion. Commercial construction includes all types of retail establishments, such as shopping malls, restaurants, grocery stores and auto dealerships. Spending on all commercial buildings was up 22 percent from the previous year.
Closer to our industry, spending on construction of Building Supply Stores rose by 1.5 percent in January to a $1.32 billion annual rate. January’s spending pace was the highest since 2009, but it was still less than half the annual average maintained in the first decade of this century ($2.66 billion).
Lodging and Office buildings, two nonresidential building types that generate business for many of our members, saw construction spending rise compared to a year ago. Spending on construction of lodging buildings (hotels, for example) was up 41 percent, amounting to $21.6 billion. Despite these gains, lodging buildings construction was still one third below its pre-pandemic levels.
Office buildings construction was up by a smaller yet robust 14.5 percent in the same period, reaching $83 billion in January. Unlike hotels and motels, construction of office buildings nearly recovered to its pre-pandemic level of $85 billion. However, the uncertainty surrounding businesses’ decision for workers to ‘return to the office’ may limit gains in office construction.
Samsung’s fridge art: Samsung introduced its Bespoke line a couple of years ago, allowing homeowners to customize the refrigerators by using interchangeable panels with different colors and finishes. Its latest version, MyBespoke, allows consumers to upload their own images, photography or artwork to create custom panels, and also offers prints by artist Matt Jacobson to use. More info at Samsung here.
DXV partners with Siriano: Fashion designer Christian Siriano revealed his collaboration with luxury kitchen and bath brand DXV, part of the LIXIL portfolio, for a limited-edition collection of luxe bathrobes and hand towels. Siriano unveiled the collection, his first foray into home goods, during New York Fashion Week in February. He was inspired by his own home renovation in Easton, CT, in which he installed DXV’s Belshire Collection. The towels and robes reflect the fixtures with golden trim and unique fabric detailing, evoking the opulence of the 1920s Golden Era. Learn more here.
People News
Henkes returns to SieMatic: Hans Henkes, a longtime leader in the kitchen and bath manufacturing space, has rejoined SieMatic North America as president and CEO. Henkes previously helmed the premium kitchen cabinetry manufacturer from 2008 to 2017, driving the company to record sales growth. SieMatic, based in Germany, markets four style collections — PURE, URBAN, CLASSIC and MONDIAL — in more than 60 countries. More info here.
NARI CEO Departs: After just seven months, Christine Melendes has stepped down as CEO of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. NARI has experienced some turbulence in the past few years, with management changes and several of its local chapters breaking off from the national organization. Melendes, who joined last July, is the association’s third CEO in less than five years. Chief Operating Officer Elsie Iturralde will serve as interim CEO while NARI conducts a search for a successor. More about NARI here.
Industry News
KCMA continues green efforts: After announcing a partnership with Climate Positive NOWTM last month, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has implemented a plan to assure kitchen and bath showrooms that their lines are environmentally responsible. Through a rigorous testing process, the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) certifies that KCMA members are compliant with air quality and pollution prevention through documented energy conservation programs. At least 80 percent of materials used in KCMA’s cabinets are sustainably sourced and certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program, and that waste is minimized via comprehensive recycling and processing programs. For more information, go here.
Architectural Digest on KBIS: From graphite nickel finishes to color in the kitchen to expansive appliance walls, Architectural Digest weighs in on six key kitchen trends gleaned from KBIS. Read more at AD Pro.
Trade Events
Coverings set for Orlando: The Coverings 2023 tile and stone surfaces trade show will take place April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center, North and South Halls, in Orlando, FL. Nearly 1,000 tile and stone exhibitors from more than 35 countries exhibit, and the show offers CEU-qualified educational sessions. Registration for the show and educational sessions is free. Click here for more info.
ICFF Slated for May: The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), is ramping up for its May 21-23 show at the Javits Center in New York, presenting modern furnishings and products for residential, office and hospitality design. The show is taking place concurrently with WantedDesign Manhattan, which features a focus on emerging design. Both expos are organized by Emerald. More info and registration here.
New Tech Show: Clarity AV International, organizer of the Integrator Network and Technology & Business Summits that CEDIA acquired in 2018, will host a consumer event in Southern California this fall. The Home Tech Expo will take place Oct. 20-21 and will showcase real-world home technology in an in-person format. Consumers will be able to see, touch and experience technology like traditional, custom integration “AV,” as well as lighting, smart appliances, electric vehicles, and more firsthand. KBB has the story.
Chapter News
Hello, Columbus: The Central Ohio Chapter is hosting a Participatory Dinner Party on March 23, from 5-8 p.m., at The Kitchen, 231 E. Livingston Ave. in Columbus. It’s not a cooking class, but guests will collaborate and prepare a meal guided by staff. NKBA members are $40, non-members are $50, and a portion of all ticket sales is donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Info and registration here.
Total spending for private construction projects fell 0.4 percent in December, to an annualized $1.43 trillion, which is down from its all-time peak of $1.45 trillion reached last July.
Residential and non-residential both fell marginally for the month. Residential projects edged down 0.3 percent to an annualized $857 billion, while non-residential was off 0.5 percent to $570 billion.
Two of the three residential components — multifamily and homeowner remodeling — rose. Construction of new multifamily units was up 3.2 percent in December, reaching an annualized $120 billion. Answering the need for more housing, multifamily construction has been the bright spot in the residential market; spending has increased for five straight months and is currently up 21 percent YOY.
Homeowner remodeling rose by a more modest 0.7 percent in December to $352 billion, but is also up 20 percent YOY. Remodeling spending slowed in August through October, but rebounded in November and December. The declines in mortgage rates since the end of the year, despite the Fed’s tightening, are likely to boost remodeling data through the first quarter of 2023.
Single-family construction spending, however, declined 2.3 percent in December from November, to $384 billion, but more significantly, was down a much larger 15 percent YOY. After a pandemic-induced frenzy, the single-family market has been contracting for the last eight months.
Overall non-residential construction slipped 0.5 percent in the month, but commercial buildings, including retail, restaurants, service stations, etc., ticked up 0.4 percent to $122.4 billion. Lodging and offices, two categories of particular interest to NKBA members, were virtually unchanged for the month, although hotel/motel construction is running at an annual pace of $21 billion, up 37 percent over 2021. At a rate of $79.5 billion in December, office buildings are up 10 percent YOY.
CEDIA, KOHLER IN PARTNERSHIP: CEDIA, the association for the home tech industry, has partnered with plumbing giant Kohler Co. to give CEDIA members access to exclusive discounts, dedicated virtual training, and Kohler’s Authorized Service Rep program to help them to establish new leads. In turn, Kohler can drive its customers to CEDIA integrators, who can install Kohler’s plumbing products. The program was introduced last year and is now rolling out to markets across the country. For more info, go here.
BEKO, MARCONE ENTER PARTS VENTURE: Beko Home Appliances, one of the world’s largest appliance makers, and Marcone Supply, a leading parts distributor, have entered a far-reaching agreement that will put Beko-certified parts within one-day delivery of 93 percent the brand’s dealers, designers, and contractors in the U.S. The American subsidiary of Turkish-based Arcelik, Beko USA, has been expanding in the U.S. since its 2016 introduction. Marcone has 100 locations and 14 distribution centers throughout North America. KBB has the details here.
INDUSTRY NEWS
COLOR MY WORLD: Pantone touts a vivid magenta, Krylon names a mossy green, while Sherwin Williams walks a fine line between a beige and a blush. The 2023 “colors of the year” from major paint and color companies cover a wide spectrum — a message that anything your client likes is fair game. Martha Stewart has compiled the top shades here.
NEW SURFACES: Some unusual counter surfaces are making their way into the mainstream. From recycled plastic to reclaimed wood, zinc to pigmented concrete, Living Etc. offers 10 offbeat materials to keep in mind. Discover them here.
GO BIG AND GO BOLD: Expect to see bold patterns and daring colors in tile choices for 2023, from sleek wainscoting to vibrant mosaics. House Beautiful predicts that geometrics, black-and-white schemes, and earth tones will also play big for the year ahead. See more here.
MATERIAL MAKEOVERS: Significant advances in technology are hitting the construction industry, including renewable energy, sustainability, robotics, Artificial IntelligenceI, biobased materials and more. Architect magazine details five trends likely to have a major impact on building and remodeling in the next few years here.
TRADE EVENTS
LONDON DESIGN WEEK SET: London Design Week 2023 will take place at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, March 13 to 17, with over 600 international brands and more than 100 events. Additionally, 30 pop-up “House Guest” brands will be in The Design Avenue, a special zone featuring learning sessions that include the Conversations in design talk series. Specially commissioned installations and dining experiences are available to all visitors. Entry is free and to register, go here.
HIGH POINT REGISTRATION OPENS: Registration is open for the 2023 High Point Market, which takes place April 22-26 in High Point, NC. Registration is open to home furnishings retailers, designers, remodelers, students, and other trade pros. Register here.
CHAPTER NEWS
KBIS REVIEW — PALOUSE: The Palouse Chapter hosts “The Buzz” on Feb. 23 to discuss the latest finds at last week’s KBIS. Chapter officers will report on new products, trends, and technologies during the 5 to 7 pm event, held at Cosentino Center, 3808 N. Sullivan Rd., Bldg. 27C, Spokane Valley in Washington State. Registration is free for members and students; $30 for non-members. Info and registration here.
KBIS REVIEW — WEST MICHIGAN: Join the West Michigan Chapter on March 1, 5:30 to 9 p.m., for a KBIS review at Standale Home Studio, 4046 Lake Michigan Drive NW in Grand Rapids. Over 15 local reps from national companies will be on hand to demonstrate new products introduced at KBIS. Vendors include Wellborn, Cambria, Ferguson, Bekins Appliances, Belwith Keeler, Wilsonart, Richelieu, Hardware Resources, and more. Food, beverages, and giveaways are included in your $20 registration, and earn 0.1 CEU. Register here.
LG INTRODUCES THINQ UPGRADE: LG Electronics has launched its LG ThinQ Up upgradeable home appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, oven ranges, and dishwashers. These appliances enable users to upload software and add hardware to enjoy new features and functions. Launched in South Korea last year, LG ThinQ Up will roll out in the U.S. and internationally starting in March. LG will showcase its latest innovations, including the new ThinQ UP appliances, at KBIS with its sister brand, Signature Kitchen Suite, in Booth #W3045-W3445 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more details, see KBB.
HAIER EARNS TOP EUROMONITOR RANKING: Market research firm Euromonitor International has ranked Haier Smart Home the world’s leading appliance brand by sales, with annual revenue exceeding $32 billion (U.S.) This is the 14th consecutive year that the Qingdao, China-based brand has earned this designation. GE Appliances are part of the Haier family. For more info, go here.
KOHLER LAUNCHES SPRIG: Kohler Co.’s new brand of wellness products, Sprig, is designed to create at-home spa experiences, elevating daily routines into premium self-care rituals. Sprig includes innovative shower infusion systems and pods with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, premium bath bombs with shea butter and coconut oil, and versatile body and linen mists. Kohler will be at KBIS in Booth #N2205 at the LVCC. KBB has more detail.
INDUSTRY NEWS
KCMA’S SUSTAINABILITY EFFORT: The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has partnered with Climate Positive NOW™ in an initiative to help kitchen and bath showrooms and dealers educate their customers about the sustainability advantages of using wood-based materials in kitchens and cabinets. “Many companies and industries say they are planning to be ‘climate positive’ by 2030 or 2040 — but our members are there now,” said Betsy Natz, CEO of KCMA. “Research shows 23 percent of consumers will switch to buy products from companies that share their values on environmental issues, while another 42 percent have changed their consumption habits based on their environmental beliefs.” Check out the new KCMA website content for ways to help create awareness of the environmental impact of using sustainable building materials and advancing a lower-carbon future.
AIA SURVEY CITES SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE: The latest Home Design Trends Survey from the American Institute of Architects lists resilient communities and sustainable building practices as top priorities. Resilience is especially important in areas prone to wildfires and other natural disasters; sustainability enhances energy efficiency as well as the health of individuals and the planet. NKBA member Jamie Gold, CKD, reports in Forbes.
BUILDER SENTIMENT SOFTENS: Rising mortgage rates and inflated construction costs are dragging builders’ sentiment down, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Confidence in the market for new homes fell every month in 2022, and is at its lowest level since 2012 – except for a brief stretch in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when housing demand surged. NAHB expects weaker conditions throughout 2023, with recovery in 2024. KBDN has more.
CHAPTER NEWS
MANHATTAN’S VEGAS ADVENTURE: The Manhattan Chapter is holding its January meeting during KBIS in Las Vegas. The meeting will be in person for members who can attend and simulcast for those unable to join onsite. On Jan. 31, the chapter has arranged a tour of the Savant Smart Home, with a bus leaving from the Las Vegas Convention Center at 3:15 p.m. PST. The tour qualifies for 0.1 CEU and will also be simulcast. After exploring the 15,000-square-foot smart home showcasing Savant’s newest lighting, entertainment, energy production and management systems, the chapter meeting will take place at 5 p.m. (Pacific Time), 8 p.m. (Eastern Time). For more info, go here.
PHOTO CLASS WITH PUGET SOUND: Learn how to elevate the quality of your project photos and videos for marketing, to pitch publications and media, and stand out in design competitions at the Puget Sound Chapter’s presentation, “Capturing the Essence of Design With Your Photographer.” Anton Benedikt of AB Photo & Video will offer a blueprint for achieving next-level photography and videography. The event takes place Jan. 19, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Cosentino Showroom, 19024 62nd Avenue South in Kent, Washington. Registration is $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and $15 for students. More info here.
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NKBA is the world’s leading kitchen and bath association, helping its members succeed through learning and certification, proprietary research, expert resources and exclusive industry events.
Add these key dates to your calendar as a reminder of when meetings, events and deadlines are scheduled in the coming year. There are ongoing and monthly dates that you should be aware of as an NKBA Chapter Officer.
The NKBA has developed the Chapter Presentation Program to aid our chapters in finding speakers and topics for their monthly chapter meetings and events. This give back program is only open to NKBA members.
Our volunteers work hard for their chapters and the NKBA is excited to be able to recognize the chapters and individual volunteers who have made a difference in 2025! Nominations will open Fall 2025.
This helpful resource for chapter officers includes applications, instructions and guidelines, invitation templates, and NKBA collateral for meetings/events.
Get to know the Chapter Leadership Committee, which is the link between NKBA Chapters, the National Board of Directors and the association’s full time staff. This CLC is charged with monitoring chapter member needs and conveying these to the NKBA Board of Directors and association staff.
