KBIS 2016 Innovative Showroom Awards Finalists Announced

(Alpharetta, Ga.) – December 8, 2015 –In its second year, close to 50 kitchen and bath showrooms from across the country submitted a nomination to be considered among the most innovative during the second annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) Innovative Showroom Awards. Submissions were segmented into five categories, for a total of 15 finalists. A winner will be chosen in each category, with one chosen as the overall Innovative Retail Showroom.

The finalists are:

Independent Retail Showrooms Locations  (1-5 showroom locations) - Small (1,000- 2,500 sq. ft.)

• Simmer & Soak,
• Barrett’s Technology Solutions
• KONST SieMatic

Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) - Medium (2,500 – 5,000 sq. ft.)

• V6B Design Group
• Guy Gunter Home
• Palmer Todd

Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) - Large (5,000 sq. ft.+)

• Minnesota Cabinets
• Hartville Hardware
• Insignia Kitchen and Bath

Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) - Medium (2,500 – 5,000 sq. ft.)

• ANN SACKS Chicago
• Coburn Supply Company Inc.
• Cambria Gallery – Buckhead

Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) - Large (5,000 sq. ft.+)

• PIRCH Atlanta
• Miele’s Chicago Experience Center
• Sub-Zero and Wolf Showroom Southern California

The Innovative Showroom Awards Advisory Board, comprised of leading retail showroom design experts, prior award winners and industry veterans and influencers, will review the finalists, determining the winner in each category. Additionally, an overall Innovative Retail Showroom Award will be given.

The esteemed Advisory panel includes:

• Chelsie Butler, Executive Editor for Kitchen + Bath Business Magazine
• Ken Nisch, Chairman of JGA
• Danny Swaim, Vice President of Business Development at PIRCH
• Nancy Epstein, CEO at Artistic Tile
• Mia Nicolaisen, Sr. Director of Sales and Business Development and Tony Lutz, President & CEO of Interior Systems Inc. (ISI)

In addition to judging the Innovative Showroom Awards, the Advisory Board will participate in several programs on showroom innovation at KBIS 2016, including hosting one-on-one meetings at the KBISNeXT™ Bar and participating in a panel discussion on the KBIS Next Stage. Both programs will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, prior to the announcement of the Innovative Showroom Awards.

The public will also have a chance to cast their vote for favorite showroom for the new People’s Choice Award. The vote will occur the week following KBIS 2016, January 27-February 5, 2016, via the KBIS Facebook page.

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

“Retail showrooms are tasked with providing a memorable experience while educating and engaging consumers,” said Brian Pagel, VP Kitchen and Bath Group, Emerald Expositions. “The importance of showroom design and the need to elevate and evolve these spaces is vital to the industry. This year’s finalists embody the elements of what makes a showroom truly memorable.”

The winners will be announced from the KBISNeXT™ stage on January 19, 2016, at 3:45PM. Awards will be presented by Brian Pagel, VP Kitchen and Bath Group, Emerald Expositions and Jean-Jacques L’Henaff, Vice President - Design, LIXIL Water Technology Americas, American Standard and DXV,preceeded at 3PM by apanel discussion with nominees and judges led by L’Henaff. Finalist showroom representatives from independent retail showroom-large category, Minnesota Cabinets, multi location retail showroom-medium category, Coburn and independent retail showroom-large category, Insignia, will join Advisory Board members Danny Swaim and Nancy Epstein for a lively discussion about what makes a showroom innovative?

“We are pleased to be part of this distinct recognition of kitchen and bath showrooms throughout North America. The creative and pioneering ways they have crafted to attract and inform potential clients is truly remarkable,” said Maha El Kharbotly, chief marketing officer of LIXIL Water Technology Americas, American Standard, GROHE and DXV.

For more information about the Innovation Showroom Awards and to learn about the latest KBIS 2016 news and announcements, visit www.KBIS.com or www.kbispressroom.com. Follow us on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/KitchenBathIndustryShow and on Twitter at @KBIS2016.

About KBIS

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) owned by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and produced by Emerald Expositions, is an inspiring, interactive platform that showcases the latestproducts, trends and technologies for the kitchen and bath industry. KBIS has been the premier event of the industry for over 50 years.

In 2013, the 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) under the banner of Design and Construction Week® (DCW). In 2015, KBIS and IBS announced their co-location agreement was extended through 2020. The mega-event returns to Las Vegas, Jan. 19-21, 2016, where each show will operate in various halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The NKBA and The NAHB continuPe to produce separate educational programming and special events. One pass provides access to both shows, as well as to DCW partner events: the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) and The International Surface Event (TISE).

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 attwitter.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/usor 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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