KBIS 2016 Innovative Showroom Winners Announced

Second annual award recognizes the best across showrooms across the country

The winners of the 2016 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) Innovative Showroom Awards were announced today from the KBISNeXT™ stage, and were presented by Brian Pagel, VP Kitchen and Bath Group, Emerald Expositions and Jean-Jacques L’Henaff, Vice President – Design, LIXIL Water Technology Americas, American Standard and DXV. Close to 50 kitchen and bath showrooms from across the country submitted a nomination to be considered among the most innovative during the second annual awards.

“As the exclusive sponsors of the 2016 Innovative Showroom Awards, American Standard and Grohe are pleased to congratulate all those recognized for their superb showroom vision and creativity,” said Maha El Kharbotly, Chief Marketing Officer, LIXIL Water Technology Americas, American Standard, DXV and GROHE. “As a leading plumbing manufacturer, we have a responsibility to design products that will improve and enhance consumers’ lives. Having exemplary showroom facilitators to connect these products and the people to enjoy them is a true win-win for our industry.”

Submissions were segmented into five categories, for a total of 15 finalists announced in December 2015. Chosen by the Innovative Showroom Awards Advisory Board, comprised of leading retail showroom design experts, prior award winners and industry veterans and influencers, the winners in each catergory are:

Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) – Small (1,000- 2,500 sq. ft.)

• Simmer & Soak, Saint Simons Island, GA

Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) – Medium (2,500 – 5,000 sq. ft.)

• Guy Gunter Home, Atlanta, GA

Independent Retail Showrooms Locations (1-5 showroom locations) – Large (5,000 sq. ft.+)

• Hartville Hardware, Hartville, OH

Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) – Medium (2,500 – 5,000 sq. ft.)

• ANN SACKS Chicago, Chicago, IL

Multi Location Retail Showrooms (6+ showroom locations) – Large (5,000 sq. ft.+)

• PIRCH Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

And one showroom was crowned as the overall Innovative Retail Showroom:

• Simmer & Soak, Saint Simons Island, GA

KBIS thanks the following esteemed members of the Advisory panel:

• Chelsie Butler, Executive Editor for Kitchen + Bath Business Magazine
• Ken Nisch, Chairman of JGA
• Danny Swaim, Vice President of Business Development at PIRCH
• Nancy Epstein, CEO at Artistic Tile
• Mia Nicolaisen, Sr. Director of Sales and Business Development and Tony Lutz, President & CEO of Interior Systems Inc. (ISI)

In addition to judging the Innovative Showroom Awards, the Advisory Board participated in several programs on showroom innovation at KBIS 2016, including hosting one-on-one meetings at the KBISNeXT™ Bar and participating in a panel discussion on the KBIS Next Stage.

The public will now have a chance to cast their vote for favorite showroom for the new People’s Choice Award. The vote will occur the week following KBIS 2016, January 27-February 5, 2016, via the KBIS Facebook page.

"Retail showrooms are tasked with providing a memorable experience while educating and engaging consumers,” said Brian Pagel, VP Kitchen and Bath Group, Emerald Expositions. “The importance of showroom design and the need to elevate and evolve these spaces is vital to the industry. This year’s finalists embody the elements of what makes a showroom truly memorable.”

For more information about the Innovation Showroom Awards and to learn about the latest KBIS 2016 news and announcements, visit www.KBIS.com orwww.kbispressroom.com. Follow us on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/KitchenBathIndustryShow and on Twitter at@KBIS2016.

About American Standard Brands

American Standard Brands make life healthier, safer and more beautiful at home, at work, in the community and throughout the world. Offering total project solutions for residential and commercial customers around the world with respected brands such as American Standard^®, DXV™, Safety Tubs^®, Crane Plumbing^®, Eljer^®, Fiat^® and Decorative Panels International^®. American Standard Brands is owned by LIXIL Corporation (TSE Code 5938), and is part of the LIXIL Water Technology business, which operates across 150 countries. LIXIL Water Technology brands include: LIXIL, INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and JAXSON. Learn more at www.americanstandard.com, or follow us attwitter.com/AmStandard, and on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/AmericanStandardPlumbing.

About GROHE

GROHE faucet and shower products are distributed in more than 180 countries and represent nearly 80 years of excellence in European design, innovation, engineering and quality.

GROHE America’s headquarters are in the heart of the Flatiron district and houses the GROHELive! Center, an interactive showroom created for inspiration and collaboration.

The GROHE Group is the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings, comprising Grohe AG, Hemer, Hamburg and other subsidiaries in foreign markets. With its global GROHE brand, the GROHE Group relies on its brand values quality, technology, design and responsibility to deliver “Pure Freude an Wasser”.

The GROHE Group was purchased by the LIXIL Group and the Development Bank of Japan in January 2014. The LIXIL Group is the global leader in the building materials and housing equipment industry.

For more information and to find local showrooms, please visit www.grohe.com/us or call 1-800-44-GROHE (47643).

About Emerald Expositions

Emerald is a leading operator of large business-to-business tradeshows in the United States, producing more than 85 tradeshows and conference events per year connecting over 525,000 buyers and sellers across ten diversified end-markets, including general merchandise; sports; hospitality and retail design; jewelry, luxury, and antiques; e-commerce; photography;  decorated apparel;  building; healthcare; and military. Emerald is headquartered in San Juan Capistrano, Cal. The company’s shows are typically the most prominent and important for exhibitors and attendees within their various industries. For more information on Emerald, please visit www.emeraldexpositions.com.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the KBIS^®. With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide. For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

Media Contact:
Kristen Jenkins, White Good
kjenkins@whitegood.com
717.693.3442