Archetech Issue 34 2018 | Page 42

A world of innovation for a world of change Celebrating an impressive 32 years, kbb Birmingham, the UK’s largest and most established kitchen, bedroom and bathroom event, returns to the NEC, Birmingham from 4th – 7th March 2018. Following the success of last year’s theme, Future, kbb contin- ues to forecast forthcoming trends and challenges facing the UK kbb community, identified by content partner, AMA research. Bringing you a world of innovation for a world of change. The four trends are: 1. Society: Evolving customer behaviours alter the meaning of lifestyle design, e.g. DIY conscious early adopters outsource cutting edge design and smart space innovations fuelling the installer skills shortage 2. Smart technology: Be it future or fad, ‘smart’ is cre- ating new possibilities for those on both sides of the debate, e.g. virtual reality transforms showroom buying behaviours and voice recognition modifies our use of space 3. Disruption as opportunity: ‘Disruptors’ change the construction landscape, heralding new design opportunities, e.g. uncertainty surrounding Brexit stimulates house price stagnation driving a growing refurbishment market fuelled by mature, equity-rich homeowners undertaking big ticket kitchen and bathroom projects 4. Materiality: UK consumers demand higher quality products and materials, e.g. worktops continue to dominate the kitchen furniture market driving innovation and diversification in the surfaces sector The Innovation Awards, in partnership with blum, aim to discover brands that are producing products, methods and ideas to help shape the future of the industry. The award entries will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges including kbb’s Brand Director, Joel Butler - winners will be announced at the show. This year’s kbb Retail and Design conference will provide practical advice to grow businesses in a world of change. Combining topics such as; How to... survive a recession and come out stronger, How to… design the 4G bathroom, How to… keep up with the latest ma- terials and colours, plus much more. Kbb Birmingham 2018 sees the return of great British companies along with new international exhibitors including, Smeg, Sensio, Perrin & Rowe, Villeroy & Boch, Crosswater, Karonia, Caple, Franke, Nolte, Blanco, Samsung, Dansani and Blum. Brand Director at kbb, Joel Butler commented, “I’m really looking forward to another successful year at kbb Birmingham, and par- ticularly how the community will explore and learn from this year’s theme. We’re welcoming a range of new and returning exhibitors, all of which will showcase a high calibre of products, methods and ideas. I would recommend visitors try and spend more than one day at the show.” Join the conversation with 16,000 industry buyers. Visit www.kbb.co.uk for further information.