Las Vegas is the stage and backdrop for Design & Construction Week (DCW), taking place Jan. 21–23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event features the co-location of the National Association of Home Builders’  International Builders' Show (IBS) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS ) — the largest North American trade destination for kitchen and bath industry professionals. 

The two shows are expected to feature more than one million square feet of exhibit space, showcasing more than 2,000 design and construction brands, and attracting more than 95,000 industry professionals. The event will kick off Jan. 21 with basketball legend-turned-business powerhouse Earvin “Magic” Johnson headlining the Design & Construction Week opening ceremonies.

Here’s what planned for each event:

KBIS 2020

KBIS is North America's largest trade show dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design. The show floor will be filled with the newest design and trends, showcased from more than 600 leading brands. It is a one-stop shopping providing attendees and exhibitors the ultimate destination to network, exchange ideas and build their businesses. 

“The excitement that is KBIS 2020 is not to be missed,” says Suzie Williford, executive vice president of industry relations and chief strategy officer for NKBA. “The kitchen and bath industries are thriving and evolving rapidly. KBIS is a lively and energetic platform that showcases the latest products and technologies that will shape the homes of the future and provides a wealth of learning and networking opportunities for the full spectrum of professionals across our industry.”

The show floor will include 70 new exhibitors. KBIS continues to attract boutique specialty brands from around the world, with more than 25 global brands from Germany, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Spain and the UK  showcasing unique and unusual products not typically found at the event. 

“We continue to increase our international brand presence for KBIS 2020 and are pacing ahead with more new exhibitors signing on daily,” notes Amy Hornby, KBIS show director, Emerald Expositions. “Brands are innovating again, and an onslaught of new products and robust show programming are driving the growth of the show.” 

“Best of KBIS” awards return this year, presenting the industry’s premier awards to the best new kitchen, bath, smart home and outdoor living products that push the boundaries of design, technology and innovation. Winners will be announced at the show.

KBIS Programming

The KBISNeXT Experience, anchored by the KBISNeXT Stage, will host some of the show’s most inspired and thought-provoking programs including Design Bites, Best of KBIS Awards, Discovery District, Showcase for Living in Place, Lightovation Lounge and Lighting Pavilion, and the Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge.

The KBISNeXT Stage will host design experts, celebrity hosts and young professionals, each sharing insights into the industry’s need-to-know topics to educate, inspire and connect members of the kitchen and bath industry. The program will include more than 15 programs, four awards events and more than 50 industry-leading voices and personalities. Topics will range from health and wellness, resilient design and business development. 

Education plays a big role at the event, and NKBA Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS will present valuable opportunity for professional development and career growth, and the ability to earn CEO credits. The conference will feature 74 sessions in five categories: Grow Your Business, Kitchen & Bath Specialty Training, Design, Management and Customer Service. In addition, there will be five interactive lab sessions during the conference. 

Design Milk & Modenus  Talks Lounge Returns

For the fourth year, Jaime Derringer, CEO of Design Milk, and Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media, will bring three days of programming to the KBIS NeXT Experience. The refreshed lounge will also feature the Signature Kitchen Suite wine bar. 

Programming in the lounge will focus on design-related topics including wellness, color and style trends, sustainability and integrated technology, as well as business discussions around skilled labor, marketing and diversifying revenue streams. Additionally, the morning of the first day will feature a special How-to-KBIS presentation for new-to-KBIS attendees;  the last day will feature a series of hands-on workshops. 

 “We are thrilled to be back at KBIS for the fourth year of engaging conversations, presentations and now even hands-on workshops,” Derringer says. “The KBIS community has embraced us from day one and we love being able to bring cutting-edge ’topics that matter’ to the show and deliver real takeaways for show attendees and event exhibitors.”

IBS 2020 

The IBS show is the largest annual light construction show in the world, and the home building industry’s premier event. The event connects attendees with thousands of home builders, industry experts and manufacturers to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and access real business solutions. This year’s show will bring together more than 1,400 top manufacturers and suppliers from around the globe in 600,000 net square feet of exhibit space, showcasing the latest and most in-demand products and services.

Empowering through education is a corner to the show, and this year will not disappoint. The Building Knowledge Sessions are 60-minute sessions geared toward specific topics to help attendees succeed. More than 110 sessions covering project management, business management, custom building and remodeling, design and community planning, industry trends and emerging issues, multifamily housing, and sales and marketing will be offered. The educational sessions are popular — last year more than 27,000 attendees took part in the educational programs. 

IBS Centrals 

IBS Centrals spotlights the niche markets within the industry, with each specific area focused on with educational sessions. Explore IBS Centrals through a variety of activities such as workshops, networking events, roundtable discussions and guided product tours of the exhibit hall. 

In IBS Centrals, attendees can explore creative, new ideas to refine their skills and gain business information about specific niches in the building industry. These areas include 55+ housing, custom building, design central, multifamily, remodeling and sales. 

The Best of IBS Awards will take place again this year, and they recognize the most innovative products at the 2020 NAHB International Builders' Show in their respective categories. Winners were selected in December 2019 and will be announced at the show. 

Categories include:

• Best Kitchen & Bath Product (NEW)
• Best Energy Efficient Product
• Best Green Building Product
• Best Home Technology Product
• Best Indoor Product 
• Best Outdoor Product
• Best Window & Door Product
• Most Innovative Building Material (NEW)
• Most Innovative Construction Tool (NEW)

With so much taking place during the Design and Construction week, attendees will need to plan to take advantage on all the events offer. For more information,  visit www.buildersshow.com.