Innovative Showroom Awards Return to KBIS 2016

(Alpharetta, Ga.) – October 2, 2015 –Memorable showrooms invite designers and consumers to see, touch and hear about the latest products for the kitchen and bath. To celebrate this vital part of the industry, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) announces the return of the Innovative Showroom Awards competition to KBIS 2016.  Kitchen and bath showrooms across the country who feel they are creating an unforgettable experience are encouraged to submit a nomination online now through November 2.

“Retail showrooms and the experience they provide are vital to our industry,” said Brian Pagel, VP Kitchen and Bath Group, Emerald Expositions. “They are tasked with educating and engaging consumers on the latest in kitchen and bath innovations. We want to continue to recognize the important role they play, and are pleased that American Standard and GROHE share that vision.”

The 2016 Innovative Showroom Awards are sponsored by American Standard Brands and GROHE, who are returning to KBIS as part of LIXIL Water Technology.

"Showrooms are an important aspect of our industry. Our showroom partners bring consumers' dreams to life.  said Maha El Kharbotly, chief marketing officer for American Standard Brands/LIXIL Water Technology Americas. "We are thrilled to raise the visibility of this important channel through this sponsorship by American Standard Brands and GROHE."

A winner will be chosen in each of the following categories, with one chosen as the overall Innovative Retail Showroom:

• Independent Retail Showrooms Locations  (1-5 showroom locations) - Small (1,000 - 2,500 sq ft)
• Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) - Medium (2,500 – 5,000 sq ft)
• Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) - Large (5,000 sq ft+)
• Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) - Small (1,000 - 2,500 sq ft)
• Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) - Medium (2,500 – 5,000 sq ft)
• Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) - Large (5,000 sq ft+)

New for this year is the People’s Choice Award, which allows the public to vote for their favorite showroom The vote will occur the week following KBIS 2016, January 27 - February 5, 2016, via the KBIS Facebook page.

The 2016 Award winners will be determined by the Innovative Showroom Advisory Board. The group is comprised of retail showroom design professionals, prior award winners and industry influencers.

The Advisory board will select 18 finalists. Representatives from these showrooms will be invited to speak as part of a panel discussion on showroom innovation at KBIS 2016 on the KBISNeXT™ stage. The winners will be announced following the panel discussion on January 19, 2016.

To learn about the latest KBIS 2016 news and announcements, visit www.KBIS.com or www.kbispressroom.com. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KitchenBathIndustryShow and on Twitter at @KBIS2016.

About KBIS
KBIS, in conjunction with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), is an inspiring, interactive platform that showcases the latest industry products, trends and technologies. KBIS is the voice of the kitchen and bath industry and has been for 50 years.

Early in 2013, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced an agreement to co-locate the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) with the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, Nev. in February 2014 under the banner of Design and Construction Week™. The mega-event will return Jan. 19-21, 2016, in Las Vegas with each show occupying a separate hall. Kitchen and bath brands that have participated in both shows can continue to 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.

About American Standard Brands

American Standard Brands make life healthier, safer and more beautiful at home, at work, in the community and throughout the world. Offering total project solutions for residential and commercial customers around the world with respected brands such as American Standard®, DXV™, Safety Tubs®, Crane Plumbing®, Eljer®, Fiat® and Decorative Panels International®. American Standard Brands is owned by LIXIL Corporation (TSE Code 5938), and is part of the LIXIL Water Technology business, which operates across 150 countries. LIXIL Water Technology brands include: LIXIL, INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and JAXSON. Learn more at www.americanstandard.com, or follow us at twitter.com/AmStandard, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmericanStandardPlumbing.

About GROHE

GROHE faucet and shower products are distributed in more than 180 countries and represent nearly 80 years of excellence in European design, innovation, engineering and quality. GROHE America’s headquarters are in the heart of the Flatiron district and houses the GROHELive! Center, an interactive showroom created for inspiration and collaboration. The GROHE Group is the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings, comprising Grohe AG, Hemer, Hamburg and other subsidiaries in foreign markets. With its global GROHE brand, the GROHE Group relies on its brand values quality, technology, design and responsibility to deliver “Pure Freude an Wasser”. The GROHE Group was purchased by the LIXIL Group and the Development Bank of Japan in January 2014. The LIXIL Group is the global leader in the building materials and housing equipment industry.

For more information and to find local showrooms, please visit www.grohe.com/us or call 1-800-44-GROHE (47643).

About Emerald Expositions

Emerald is a leading operator of large business-to-business tradeshows in the United States, producing more than 85 tradeshows and conference events per year connecting over 525,000 buyers and sellers across ten diversified end-markets, including general merchandise; sports; hospitality and retail design; jewelry, luxury, and antiques; e-commerce; photography;  decorated apparel;  building; healthcare; and military. Emerald is headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, Cal. The company’s shows are typically the most prominent and important for exhibitors and attendees within their various industries. For more information on Emerald, please visit www.emeraldexpositions.com.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the KBIS®. With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide. For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

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