Tradeshow Report

(May 2009)

Watch for the K&A team this summer at the Southern Building Show where Steve Kleber will present twice, at the Pacific Coast Building Conference, and HD Boutique.

 

KBIS 2009

The Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference hosts the largest collection of kitchen and bath products and offers the latest in product advancements, trends and insights to help attendees meet the needs of the marketplace.  Despite concerns about the atmosphere at the 2009 K/BIS, held in our own hometown of Atlanta, K&A thought the overall mood of the show was one of conservative optimism. Coinciding with the end of the first hundred days of the new presidency in the US, this seemed to parallel the overall mood in the country, “something good is going to happen, we just don’t know exactly when but we better be ready for it”.

Although show attendance was down from previous years, the quality of the attendees and the exhibitors were high. Exhibitors continued with new product introductions and people were engaged and looking for specific companies and products.

K&A Hits the Web with Hot Product Tweets and Video

This year, K&A had the exciting opportunity to be backpack journalists and provide up-to-the-minute tweets, videos and images about the coolest products, feature and trends seen on the show floor.

Our New Bureau Team searched the show floors for the newest, coolest and most innovative products K/BIS had to offer; then they reported back via a live Tumblr stream. We promoted the stream to attendees, exhibitors and editors alike. Even those unable to attend the show were able to see through our eyes, catch up on what they were missing and still be in-the-know for the after-show discussions.

One quick stroll around the show floor quickly proved green products and design has become an essential part of the kitchen and bath industry.

K&A’s KBIS Luncheon a Big Hit with Clients and the Media

The K&A Editorial Luncheon further proved the stronghold of the trends within our industry. The luncheon was certainly a success. Over 40 attendees total including more than 25 editors. Editors from publications such as Kitchen & Bath Design News, K+BB, Traditional Home, Consumer Reports, Professional Builder and Greenbuilder were in attendance. Also, we were thrilled that Robin Wilson of Robin Wilson Home could join us for the majority of the luncheon.

Century’s sample products were prominently on display. A few of the editors had booth appointments, but after learning that they received a press kit in their Atlanta themed goody bag and seeing the product in the room they were sufficed with the knowledge they learned. The editor’s from Traditional Home and Professional Remodeler were particularly interested in the products.  

The overall atmosphere of the luncheon was relaxed and inviting. It was an opportunity for the K&A PR team to meet face to face with many of the editors we will be pitching on Century’s behalf. It was also an opportunity for the PR team to learn best practices to better improve our publicity efforts. Most editors greatly appreciated the opportunity to rest and eat for a short time during the craziness of the show while still being able to view new products and pick-up press kits. Steven Fisher, editor of HomeRemodelingPortal.com, said in response to a follow-up email, “You have no idea how many of those (luncheons) I go to that are an unproductive nightmare.  Your luncheon hit a home run on all accounts.  I got to see the products you represent… and I was able to reconnect with several colleagues as well as meet some new ones.”

We asked each media attendee two questions as they left the event.What will be your main focus for the remainder of 2009?How can we make your life easier? 

The most common response to the first question was green/sustainable design and products. Most editors didn’t seem to think we made their lives difficult (which was nice to hear). However, the most common request was for digital materials and easily accessible high-res images. Two things K&A uses regularly.

 

 

 

 


 

 


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