Reflections on KBIS/IBS

A SIMPLE ATTENDEE/ EXHIBITOR NAVIGATES A COMPLEX IBS/KBIS

BY TYLER SHARPE

Impressive exhibition? Downright remarkable! It was a breath of fresh air to be back exploring the booths, catching up with old contacts and witnessing our industry rejoice together.

his year marked the largest gathering of housing professionals with over 200k attendees according to Design and Construction Week (DCW). This year’s DCW featured the International Builder Show (IBS), Kitchen and Bath Shows (KBIS) and surprise to me, three more including the National Hardware Show (NHS), the International Surfaces Event (TISE) and the Las Vegas Winter Market.

IBS/KBIS were bustling with energy, the booths were flashy and the sheer size was overwhelming, a shocking contrast to Orlando 2022. The scale put IBS/KBIS in the same league as the large European exhibitions (Interzum Cologne, Salone Milan etc.). It’s tough not to view the results of IBS/KBIS as a great indicator for the health of the industry! However, after navigating fragile supply chains for the past three years, I came to the show as both an exhibitor and attendee with one primary question — what does 2023 have in store for us?

The exhibitors portrayed an unprecedented level of excitement after turbulent, yet growth-fueled years and shared an uncertain outlook for 2023 that will likely continue to be unpredictable and volatile. After many conversations about cautiously optimistic forecasts I came to a new conclusion — we’re ready to start collaborating, building new relationships and developing new opportunities.

From the perspective of a sourcing director, the 2022 IBS / KBIS show was a series of rejections and closed minds when it came to developing new supply chains. I couldn’t get through a pitch without hearing the terms “allocation” and “capacity.” Today, the industry is embracing a pivotal shuffling of the deck where supply is available and demand is ready to make long term strategic commitments to meet the evolving expectations of our customers and be better prepared for the next bull market.

But for myself, this show is about connections and I couldn’t help but wonder with nearly 2,000 combined exhibitors occupying more than one million square feet, how many attendees covered the full show? It’s more than likely most treated the event the same way we treat the casino tables — hoping luck guides you but knowing the odds are not in your favor to win big (or in this case, make it through all of the halls).

Unfortunately, as shows grow larger, they become less conducive to developing new or enhancing active connections. DCW might be united as one, but the show felt “together yet separate” with independent registrations, apps, show guides and just about everything else. It’s rather disorienting.

Two of my largest EWP suppliers exhibited at the convention center, one under the IBS banner and the other under KBIS. They are both primary suppliers of the building industry as well as decorative panels to kitchen and bath but if you didn’t register for both IBS / KBIS shows, one of them was hidden from you. More so, they were more than a mile apart; a 30-plus minute walk or an underground Tesla ride away. Many attendees simply thought one or the other wasn’t attending. It’s unfortunate for attendees and unrealistic to expect any exhibitor to showcase at both IBS/KBIS.

To maximize the value I extract from these shows, there’s a tremendous amount of research and homework involved in the weeks leading up to the event. I recently spoke with Geoff Cassidy, Senior Vice President of Exhibitions & Meetings for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and its

Unfortunately, as shows grow larger, they become less conducive to developing new or enhancing active connections. DCW might be united as one, but the show felt “together yet separate” with independent registrations, apps, show guides and just about everything else.

International Business Show (IBS), to share some of my feedback and was delighted to hear him speak about NAHB’s “commitment to the experience of the attendee as we are endeavoring to improve on these aspects for the 2024 shows.” A few of the key points and responses included:

Developing Connections

My personal goal for these shows is to develop new and active connections, but “together yet separate” results in significant barriers and obstructions. Geoff shared that this was a technical challenge between IBS and KBIS for 2023 that was never really solved, noting “what we put in front of people was not optimal.” This is clearly a priority for 2024.

Segmentation

Organize these shows with sub-sections like Window and Doors, Kitchen and Bath, Engineered Wood Panels, Exterior Products, National Distributors, Spas, etc. Exploring a million square feet is not realistic but navigating it could be if you know where you’re going. Geoff responded, “the IBS show is in fact implementing a segmented exhibit floor for 2024. As the show gets larger, it’s incumbent upon NAHB to enable our attendees to be as efficient as possible with their time by organizing the exhibits better into six broad categories.”

Improved App Tools

E xpanded app tools should be available for increased collaboration. The KBIS app featured a Recommendations/My Interests section with a swiping feature similar to dating apps. It was flashy but did not lead to new connections. IBS/KBIS presented me with a series of helpful puzzle pieces, but I would have benefited greatly from a personalized map. Geoff noted that, “the NAHB is constantly looking to make IBS a better experience and surveys attendees and exhibitors every year for feedback.”

Our industry is advancing at record speeds and in new directions. Kudos to DCW for bringing us all together in magnificent numbers and style. There were so many announcements of exciting new investments, expansions, acquisitions, product developments, new technologies and services. The conversations we had at DCW are key inputs for my organization’s strategy and direction as we continue to expand our value offering in new markets, products and services. More so, coming in with ‘only’ a decade of industry experience, these opportunities are critical to my own professional and personal growth journey through the expansive building, design, and construction industry.

Next year’s IBS / KBIS shows are scheduled a little later in the year to clear way for Superbowl LVIII. Looking forward to seeing you all next year, February 27-29 for IBS / KBIS 2024! S P

TYLER SHARPE is the Director of Global Sourcing and Supply for Weston Wood Solutions, an innovative manufacturer, importer and value-added supplier of lumber, engineered wood and composite products for the millwork and building industry. A thought leader and activist for the continued growth and development of the building industry, Tyler is a regular contributor to 526 Media print, online and podcasts.