Industry Shows Were ‘Seeing Green’

This year marked big milestones for the annual National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show, and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show run by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. IBS celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2024, and KBIS its 60th anniversary as the largest convention for building and design trends.

I had the pleasure of attending both tradeshows during Design & Construction Week, Feb. 27-29, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event scale was awe-inspiring, with more than 120,000 attendees and 2,400 exhibitors occupying 1,000,000 net square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibits.

Industry professionals could choose from over 120 educational sessions covering various topics, including artificial intelligence, building technology, research and trends. These sessions were led by experts who provided valuable insights into current developments and best practices — my fellow Hawaii attendees and I look forward to applying what we learned into our work back home.

Fresh Green, a Kohler color originally launched in 1971, returns with bright, lush vibes. The verdant shade is high-style, invigorating and whimsical in bathroom applications.

One of the trends that caught my attention was Kohler’s new color collection, which featured shades inspired by nature. The collection included sinks, tubs and toilets in a range of green hues. It was refreshing to see such bold uses of color.

Beyond the individual exhibitors, the show floor was also home to impressive displays spotlighting fresh building materials, inventions and ideas. From virtual reality simulations of new building designs to demonstrations of the latest construction equipment, there was no shortage of innovation on display.

Overall, I left Las Vegas feeling inspired and excited about the building industry’s future. IBS and KBIS provided an unparalleled opportunity to network, learn and discover exclusive trends and information in the field. I can’t wait to see what the next 80 years will bring for the industry, in Hawaii and abroad!

Pieces in Teal, a color debuted by Kohler in 1987, brought drama to the company’s exhibit at KBIS. The Heritage Colors booth won Best in Show honors with its striking biophilic display.

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.