KBIS announced competitors for its two high-stakes 2024 competitions at this year’s show. No showgoer – attendees and members of the media alike – will want to miss the showdown between the most exciting and innovative brands at DesignBites or the new-to-market highlights in Kickstarter.

DesignBites is the interactive, high-energy brand spotlight that selects 10 exhibiting brands to showcase their best new offerings in a brief presentation to judges and audience members on the NEXTStage. This year, the contest will take place on Feb. 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm and be hosted by Michel Smith Boyd. After hearing every pitch, this year’s panel of judges, including Danielle Blundell, executive home director, Apartment Therapy; Sandra Diaz-Velasco, principal architect, Eolo A & I Design; and John McClain, John McClain Design, will award the coveted title of Brand with the Biggest Bite, and the crowd will have a chance to get in on the action by live voting for the People’s Pick.

Later during KBIS 2024, Kickstarter will connect showgoers to brands located in the “Kickstarter Zone” in the South Hall, an area featuring new-to-market (in the last three years) brands exhibiting at KBIS for the first time. This year, the Kickstarter Competition is spotlighting six exhibitors, each of whom will pitch their products to judges for a chance to win the $5,000 Grand Prize by showcasing their innovation, creativity, and fresh take on the K & B industry. This year’s competitors are:

• Artesian Streams
• Hapny Home
• Homi Hardware
• Link Cutting Boards
• Qoldfusion
• Paneluxe
• sproos!

  The Kickstarter Awards Ceremony will take place on Feb. 29, 2024 on the NEXTStage at 10:00 am, when judges Maria Stapperfenne, CMKBD, Manager and Designer; Ebony Stephenson, CLIPP, CAPS, Owner and Principal Designer; and Lorenzo Marquez, Former Chairman of NKBA, President and CEO, will announce the Grand Prize winner.