Celebrating an impressive 30 years, kbb Birmingham, the UK’s largest gathering of the world’s best kitchen, bedroom and bathroom brands, returns to the NEC, Birmingham from 6 – 9 March 2016.
Since the recession, which caused many businesses in the sector to suffer, the show has seen the industry pull through and is now proud to put on its largest edition since pre-2008. With so much support from the kbb community, the Birmingham event has been able to extend its floorspace by over 35 per cent with an increase of appliance, component and bathroom brands as well as more kitchen manufacturers, with many launching brand new products to the market.
Trading conditions have improved since 2014 and the forecast for the next 3 years is looking promising. That’s why kbb 2016 is all about the theme of future, looking at future facing materials and designs, helping businesses with their future plans and challenging companies to deliver innovative products. The show will also have its first app, sponsored by ArtiCAD, which will help exhibitors and buyers engage during and after the four days of the show.
kbb Birmingham 2016 sees the return of great British companies along with new international exhibitors including, British Ceramic Tile Limited, Hepplewhite, Mereway, Schock, Arredo3, Keller Keukens, Scavolini, Abode, AEG, BSH Group, Sensio, Blanco, Bushboard, CDA, Cosentino, Formica, Franke, JJO, Nolte, RAK Ceramics, Roca, Notle, Rotpunkt, Schueller and Showerwall.
The Innovation Awards, in partnership with blum, aim to discover a product, method or idea that will provide a new and interesting solution to kitchens, bathrooms or appliances, to help shape the future of the industry. The entries will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges including kbb Sales Director Jon Johnston; David Sanders, managing director of blum; Editor of Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Ruth Bell; Renee Mascari, CEO of kbb ntg and designer Hayley Tarrington-Robson from Day True. The winners will be announced before the show, but visitors will be able to cast an innovative eye throughout the show and choose their favourite from the shortlist via the brand new kbb show app.
David Sanders at Blum, commented:
“Blum is a company that has innovation at its heart and it’s a completely natural connection for us to be involved with the kbb innovation award which is at the heart of the UK KBB industry”
kbb Birmingham will present a host of well-known speakers at this year’s Retail and Design conference; held in the new Arena positioned at the heart of the show, the conference will create an ideal space for conversation and networking. Speakers will provide insightful discussions, along with invaluable advice across a range of topics from Kitchen Design Trends; Consumers in 2016 – Home is where the hob is, to Making social media part of your business and The Ten KBB design trends you need to know.
Speakers include CEO of Bathstore, Gary Favell, who will talk about the business, the high street, big-ticket retailing, the changing consumer and the challenges facing the industry. Steve Esdaile from Esdaile Design, an interior and brand design consultancy that has designed showrooms for the likes of Bathstore, CP Hart and Magnet, will outline practical ways to utilise your own design skills to make the most of your showroom and your customer’s journey. Other speakers include Diane Berry, Lee Taylor from Taylors etc. and Dick Powell from SeymourPowell, with more being added to the programme each day.
Sales Director at kbb, Jon Johnston commented:
“I’m really looking forward to kbb Birmingham 2016. The quantity and quality of the brands involved in this year’s show will, in my opinion, ensure the biggest and best event yet. The bigger than expected demand for space at kbb reflects that the UK market is an exciting one, not just in terms of the volume of demand for product, but for innovative product design and function. I would recommend visitors try and spend more than one day at the show.”
kbb Birmingham runs from 6-9 March at NEC, Birmingham. Visit www.kbb.co.uk to register for your ticket and for more information.