December 7, 2023

FEI Group announced the successful conclusion of its 25th-annual conference, where the company celebrated a quarter century of excellence in the interior and exterior finishes industry. The event, which took place Oct. 18-20 at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas, brought together 700 industry professionals, thought leaders and pioneers from around the country. 

The milestone conference marked a significant achievement for FEI Group, parent company of KBx and Kitchen & Bath Alliance, which has been at the forefront of innovation in the new home construction, multifamily, remodeling and kitchen and bath segments since its establishment in 1998. Through the years, FEI Group has consistently strived to deliver unparalleled value to its clients, business partners and the industry at large, solidifying its position as a market leader and a beacon of excellence. 

The event featured a series of impactful breakout sessions, workshops and keynote speeches delivered by renowned experts in areas like the economic landscape, the essentials for high-performance and healthy teams, the psychology behind marketing and messaging, workplace fraud, color and design, and more. The breakout sessions were designed to foster meaningful dialogue, exchange of ideas and actionable insights, providing attendees with the tools and knowledge necessary to drive positive change within their respective organizations. 

One of the most important items on the agenda was SupplyConect, FEI’s tradeshow-style product event. 

“SupplyConnect is a unique opportunity for our member companies to have intentional, meaningful time with supply partners, such as Dura Supreme, Richelieu, Wellborn, Masterbrand and dozens more,” said Allison Rea, vice president of marketing for FEI Group. “In some cases, this is the only opportunity our smaller and medium-sized kitchen and bath member companies will have to connect with these product providers all year. We credit so much of the event’s success to the participation of our supply community. We couldn’t do what we do without them.” 

Attendees also heard from several of the original FEI members and supply partners and honored FEI founders Andy Hogan and Randy McNatt with the Foundation Award, an acknowledgment of the sacrifices both men made many years ago. 

Now an annual tradition, the group packed 55,000 meals for No Child Hungry, all of which will be shipped to Maui, Hawaii, for residents in need. No Child Hungry was established in 2013 as the feeding program of My Neighbor’s Children. Working with corporate and community-based groups, No Child Hungry packs nutritious meals, holds drives and works with those groups to give the meals to people in need. 

In keeping with its work hard, play hard mentality, the FEI Group National Conference always allows for some fun. After an entire day of workshops, the group traveled to Knibbe Ranch, a scenic working cattle ranch just outside of San Antonio. Western wear was encouraged and enthusiastically supported, and The Jody Jenkins Band kept the crowd on its cowboy boot-clad feet. 

“We are thrilled to have celebrated this remarkable milestone and to have had the opportunity to host such a successful conference,” said Brian Penabad, senior vice president of FEI Group. “The interactive breakout sessions and thought-provoking discussions have undoubtedly set the stage for the next phase of growth and evolution within our industry.”

Photo credit: FEI Group