Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2016 - 27

ORLANDO
JANUARY 10-12
2017

Get Product Feedback with Design Bites
Design Bites will make its round two during KBIS 2017 with
a speed-dating platform where brands have three minutes
to showcase their newest innovations, followed by a twominute Q/A with the audience. Presentations will be held on
the KBISNeXT Stage in the North/South Building from 12 to
1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and Wednesday, Jan 11.
The KBIS 2017 hosts are Jeff Devlin, host of DIY Network's "Stone House Revival" and HGTV's "Ellen's Design
Challenge" - who will host bath brands on Jan. 11 - and
Kevin O'Connor, host of "This Old House" and "Ask This Old
House" - who will host kitchen brands on Jan. 10. KBB got a
chance to catch up with both of them and find out what's in
store for the program.
What makes you excited to host this event?
KO: I love staying on top of trends and
new technology - anything that adds
buzz to our homes and makes them
more livable and enjoyable. That's
what this event is about. I know I'm going to see new things that are coming
our way, and it's important that we
show those things to homeowners and contractors. New
stuff? Sign me up.

JD: KBIS 2017 in Orlando @ the
Convention Center will be packed with
so many great vendors and
companies that it will be invigorating
to walk around and hunt for those
products that blow your mind. Not
only do I love the sheer excitement
from exhibitors showing off their hard work in production
and innovation, but I also get to see Design & Construction
friends to chat about new trends and concepts. It's just a
very electric environment.
How will you help attendees learn about new innovations?
KO: By asking the right questions. You have a talking refrigerator? That's great, but what do I need to know to make sure
it works in my kitchen? The law of unintended consequences
has taught me to dig in and ask tough questions when it
comes to anything on the cutting edge.
JD: It sometimes can be tough to get the audience you are
looking for and grab attention from people walking by, so
we're making it easy. The Design Bites concept is to gather
around and grow excitement with quick, fun and to-the-point
answers. I love the quick pace of explaining your product in
a concise manner, as well as in the group setting. Basically,
you have a captive audience who wants to know more about
your product.

Will you be adding your own "spin" to the program?
KO: I hope so. On "This Old House" and "Ask This Old
House," our mission is to inform and not to confuse. We look
out for the homeowner and celebrate the craftsmen, so I
hope we can share great information with the audience and
have some fun along the way.
JD: Why, of course I will! You'll have to come and see what I am
referring to, but I love to have fun and plan on having a blast!
What is a lesson you've learned as host of a prominent
TV show?
KO: Styles come and styles go, and sometimes a kitchen or bathroom renovation has nothing to do with function and everything to
do with fashion. We have an old bathroom in our current project with
a wooden toilet seat. Does it still work? Sure. Does anyone want it?
Nope. So it's good to keep up with the times or work with someone
who does - like a designer. A stylish bathroom or kitchen looks
great, adds value and will make you love your house even more.
JD: Wow, tough question as I have learned so much. Quality
and honesty are first and foremost, and that integrity is all you
have that you can carry with you forever. No matter what show I
have hosted, what really is apparent is that new products push
this market. The new, innovative products get homeowners excited about their homes again. It doesn't always have to be the
toilet that talks to you, but rather something that moves you,
inspires you or simply just makes your life or business better.

CHECK OUT WHAT A HANDFUL OF THESE OUTDOOR LIVING EXHIBITORS WILL HAVE TO OFFER DURING KBIS!
Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet (Booth S3834) will be in the Outdoor
Products Area and will feature two interactive outdoor kitchen
vignettes displaying such products as the Artisan Fire Pizza Oven
(right), Hybrid Fire Grill and Gaucho Grill that guests can touch and
see up close. The team will be on hand to walk visitors
through the equipment and answer questions.
The company will also host an NKBA CEU-accredited
course for designers titled "Designing a Fully Functional Outdoor Kitchen" at 2 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 10 and 11. The
course, which will be led by Russ Faulk, chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo, will educate attendees on how to apply proven indoor
kitchen design principles to outdoor spaces. They will also be able to:

Evaluate a client's outdoor cooking and entertaining needs

Assess the proposed site for a complete outdoor kitchen

Identify common outdoor kitchen design mistakes and learn how
to avoid them

Memphis Wood Fire Grills (Booth S3841) will feature a booth

in the Outdoor Products Area and The Backyard. According
to general manager, Sharla Wagy, because the company
specializes in wood fire grills - which are increasing in
popularity - having the chance to showcase outdoors is important. The brand will also be hosting a designer hospitality
event in The Backyard (details to come).
Attendees will also learn about the company's new grills
(below) with WiFi Intelligent Control, which allows users
to control and monitor their grill remotely. The grills also
feature a convection oven; double-wall, stainless steel construction; oven-grade gasketing; and dual-fan circulation.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2016