What happens at KBIS 2007 Las Vegas

does not stay in Las Vegas

It goes to 15.5 million remodeling and new construction baths

BY PETER SCHOR

contributing writer

In a recent survey, the NKBA reports that there were 9.3 million kitchens in remodeling and new construction in 2006, totaling just under $169.8 billion. There were also 15.5 million total bath jobs in remodeling and new construction during 2006, of which 7.4 million were master baths, 5.9 million were other full baths and 2.2 million were powder rooms. Spending on those bath jobs reached more than $95.4 billion!

KBIS 2007 -- general overview -- a different and unique year that you need to know about! KBIS 2007 exhibitor booths are SOLD OUT. There will be an excess of 900 booths. The exhibit show hours for The North/Central Halls are: May 8 and 9, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, are 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. The South Hall is open at 9:00 a.m. each day. I highly recommend that you start your exhibit floor day at 9:00 a.m. if you are to see most of the show. The show is ever bigger than last year and most people could not see it all!

KBIS 2007 -- what’s new and hot in bathroom products and design trends -- Let me call your attention to my website www.drknowledge.net, which, at the end of April, will have the new 2007 product and trends article; top 15 products of the 2007 KBIS Show; and a lot of website links. Please check back on the website toward June to see my post-show predictions and some of the great new products that I have collected. Mark it on your monthly or weekly calendar at a glance.

April “showers” are moving your way -- shower power! Do people still want to make up their own custom spa shower? Yes, for sure. Yet in these busy times what people want is the experience from these self-contained pre-plumbed shower and tub units. These units have: aromatherapy (fragrance), chromatherapy (light and color), air massage, steam, hydrotherapy, whirlpool and all types of showering devices -- showerheads, body sprays, rain heads, handshowers, and more -- all in your favorite metal finishes and colors. Then add the optional CD player, LCD TV and Bose Speakers. You will find Smart Showers (www.smartshowers.net) and Steam Planet (www.steamplanet.com) exhibiting at k/bis 2007.

One of last year’s hits was ProSun International’s (www.prosun.com) SunShower. This is sun tanning and chromatherapy inside a shower (code approved). They are back this year adding an “anti-aging” feature to the shower.

Talk about shower power; Jaclo Industries offers an array of shower devices.

I laughed as I recently picked up an old 1990 magazine article, “Baths with Class,” which I wrote that talked about showers. It said, “The showering experience will become like a car wash or water slide park. All bringing together the experience of the outside -- the ocean, lakes and streams into the privacy of one’s own shower!” Many people said back then that I was out of my mind. One of the best “shower power” manufacturers that you “must-see” is Jaclo Industries (www.jaclo.com) and their wide array of new shower devices. Jaclo also has expanded their line of ada-compliant luxury grab bars that knock my socks off. The Tile Redi (www.tileredi.com), a new exhibitor, has a revolutionary shower pan -- introducing one-piece, leak-proof and mold-free, and allows for tile, stone or marble directly onto the shower floor surface!

Bathing

NeoQi (www.neoqi.com), “The Energy Cocoon” -- a bathtub with a sauna function is back for their 2nd year. The cocoon capsule is a compact and multifunctional system providing hydrotherapy, air massage, steam, infrared sauna, aroma-plus, chromatherapy and handshower. Jason Intl. (www.jasonint.com), the original Jacuzzi family, had some of the best bathing products in 2006, which included an addition to their Designer Collection -- the translucent freestanding bath, made in lucite clear acrylic and available in Arctic Blue or Glacier Green. HOT! The art goes back to medieval times. Americover (www.americover.com) has come out with the new Ultra Bath Tub Cover;

shower pan; and toilet cover. You can use these heavy duty covers twice. A must see to protect today’s fixtures from damage and jobsite abuse. A huge hit at the International Builders Show.

Rounding out the most important ingredient for showering and bathing -- plenty of hot water -- is Rinnai (www.foreverhotwater.com), 24/7 hot water on demand, which has a wide variety of “must-see” new products that include “high-volume delivery” of hot water on demand. You must see all the 2007 products they have at KBIS 2007.

Tub covers are used for protection from damage and jobsite abuse.

Chromatherapy from faucets

Expanding from KWC’s chromatherapy line of faucets, you will find many other companies with the new design such as Kraus (www.kraussusa.com). Rubinet Faucet Company (www.rubinet.com) features great taste, mechanical reliability, and they ship on time. Rubinet showed their new “Swarovski” Crystal (minimalist) knob and lever series in polished chrome, which took my breath away, and is now available in stock! Huntington Brass (www.huntingtonbrass.com) came out with an upscale faucet line and plumbing fixtures that includes a one-piece toilet, pedestals, countertop lavatories and bath furniture.

 

Toilets

Foot Flush (www.footflush.com) was one of the hottest and most innovative products at k/bis 2006! Foot Flush is a retrofit foot pedal designed for toilets. Safe, cost effective and an easy alternative for hands-free flushing. Comes in many styles and colors. They are not back at k/bis 2007 but I think is still worth the mention. Sloan Flushmate (www.flushmate.com) has come out with new pressure assisted flushing systems for toilets -- slimmer vessels. The new “Intelli-Flush” automatic flush system is HOT. Touchless flushing!

Bath accessories & towel warmers

Myson (www.mysoninc.com) introduced the new generation of towel warmers and LCD mirror TV combinations. My pick for the best up-and- coming towel warming company is called Jeeves and Amba (www.jeevesusa.com). This is a must see!                    

Peter Schor, president of Dynamic Results Inc., is an educator, motivational speaker, consultant, coach and writer in our industry. For the past 17 years, he has conducted 100 educational programs yearly, including 34 industry conventions. Schor has great expertise in the field of showrooms and has won many industry awards. He also works with manufacturers in the field of sales, marketing and public relations. Schor can be reached at 1491 Ivy Arbor, Lincoln, Calif. 95648, phone 916/408-5346, fax 916/408-5899, e-mail pschor@dynamicresultsinc.com or on his website at www.dynamicresultsonline.com.