First Annual NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner Forum held at KBIS 2024:
Leading International Industry Associations and Organizations present 2024 Plans, Programs and Industry Challenges and Opportunities
Bethlehem, PA – (March 25th, 2024) —The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), representing nearly 50,000 North American kitchen and bath industry professionals, and the owners of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), hosted its first annual NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner Forum. The meeting brought together leaders of international kitchen and bath associations and organizations to present and discuss their plans, programs and key initiatives for 2024. The goal is to continue to offer a platform to share and discuss key drivers of the kitchen and bath industry globally, creating opportunities for collaboration wherever possible.
NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partners are an international community of kitchen and bath industry leaders, committed to amplifying the vision of NKBA Global Connect, and cultivating relationships designed to smartly grow the industry worldwide.
Alliance partners from Brazil to the UK, provided insights into the state of their industries, discussing economic, environmental, social, and health-based challenges. Specific topics included skilled labor concerns, AI challenges and opportunities, water management and conservation, concepts around circular economies and pandemic preparedness, and the shifting economic challenges in Europe.
Additionally, NKBA Global President and CEO, Bill Darcy and Head of NKBA Research Tricia Zach, shared the current North American Kitchen and Bath Market Outlook data, reinforcing the strength of the market for investment by international brands.
Forum participants included:
Alexander Oswald: VDM
Alexander Oswald, CEO of The Association of the German Furniture Industry- Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie- (VDM). VDM is the central association representing the economic, political, legal and technical interests of currently around 450 German furniture manufacturers. The main task of the VDM is to safeguard and represent the economic, political and technical interests of the German timber and furniture industry vis-à-vis politicians, trade unions and the general public.
Tom Reynolds : Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA)
Tom Reynold, CEO and principal spokesperson of the UK-based Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA). He also spearheads the BMA’s policy advocacy on behalf of members. BMA’s principal objective is to provide an independent forum for bathroom manufacturers trading in the UK to discuss and debate matters of mutual interest. BMA acts as an information highway between industry, the government, and the consumer on all issues affecting the UK bathroom business.
Fabio Cruz: Centrorochas – The Brazilian Association of Natural Stone Exporters
Fabio Cruz, CEO of the Brazilian Association of Natural Stone Exporters (Centrorochas), the exporter for 21 quarries across Brazil. Developed by the Brazilian Center of Centrorochas in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), the organization aims to encourage and increase exports of Brazilian natural stones.
David Ventris-Field : Lyrical Communications
David Ventris-Field, Sales Director at Lyrical Communications for the InstallerSHOW and elemental brands. Lyrical Communications delivers market-leading in-person and digital content to heat, water, air and energy professionals via the InstallerSHOW–the Birmingham-based exhibit featuring 20,000 installers, specifiers and decision-makers working across the heat, water, air and energy sectors.
Bill Darcy: National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)
Bill Darcy, global CEO and president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and owner of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The NKBA is the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry providing tools, research, certification, and events to nearly 50,000 industry members. The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade group that promotes professionalism in the kitchen and bath industry.
Carolina Giobbi: SICAM
Carolina Giobbi, co-founder of Sicam, the Italian-based international trade fair for the accessories and components industries. Supporting approximately 9,000 companies and more than 20,000 professional visitors from 112 countries from around the world, SICAM is the fair where the ingredient manufacturers connect with finished products manufacturers and fabricators..
Volker Irle: AMK
Managing Director for German Association, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche e.V. (AMK), AMK was founded in 1956 and has become the trade and service association for the entire German kitchen industry. Members comprise 140 companies including all major manufacturers of kitchen furniture, electrical and built-in appliances, sinks, accessories, as well as suppliers, trade partnerships and service providers in the kitchen sector.
About NKBA Global Connect:
The NKBA Global Connect goal is to expand the visibility of the NKBA and the Association’s premiere trade show event— the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) – internationally with design professionals, brands, influencers, and other industry constituents. The initiative offers resources and connections to help international brands enter the North American kitchen and bath marketplace. Access to industry experts, proprietary NKBA market data, North American design and construction insights, VIP events and networking programs gives NKBA Global Connect members a unique view into the market before they commit to launching. It is designed to facilitate discussion on conducting business and participating in trade development events in North America and, conversely, in Europe and beyond for North American brands looking to extend their global footprint.
NKBA Blog: https://kb.nkba.org/globalconnect/blog/
About the National Kitchen and Bath Association and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show:
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the non-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), as part of Design and Construction Week (DCW). With nearly 50,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful, and functional kitchens and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead, and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creation of certifications, specialty badges, marketplaces, and networks. For more information, visit www.NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (1-800-843-6522).