March 7, 2024

This article was originally published on March 1, 2024; it was updated March 15, 2024.

As many of you know, KBIS 2024 took place last week, and the show had more than 41,500 attendees and more than 670 exhibitors, which was a 30% increase from 2023. More than 260 of those exhibitors were new to KBIS, which was a 40% increase from 2023.

Although the KBB editors were not able to see all of them, they did visit with multiple exhibitors to learn about their new offerings for 2024, and in our most recent From the Tap podcast, they shared their KBIS 2024 hits and highlights.

Leslie Clagett, our managing editor, was impressed by the level of innovation this year compared to last year. She felt it was guided by genuine concern for human and environmental health in several categories, including energy usage, living in place and air and water quality.

At this year’s KBIS, KBB executive editor Chelsie Butler led the West Hall Tour of 12 new-to-the-show exhibitors with 16 design professionals. We polled the attendees for the first time this year to see which were their favorite product offerings. Listen to the whole podcast for more info, but brands that impressed included Forza, Slate-Lite North America, Ome Smart Knob, THRILL International and Tenzo Fine Plomberie.

Among Leslie’s favorites were offerings from LG (a whole-home sustainability platform), Borrowed Earth Collaborative’s surfaces and Forno’s Safety Jack. Chelsie was impressed with the Bemis Empower Bidet, Kohler’s Components Collection of kitchen and bar faucets and Rev-A-Shelf’s never-ending storage solutions.

We also talked about the exquisite booth designs at KBIS 2024, including those that won this year’s coveted Booth Awards and others designed by well-known pros in the industry.

Last – and certainly not least – Chelsie interviewed KBB’s 2023 Person of the Year, Nureed Saeed of Nu Interiors, on the NeXTStage. They had an awesome discussion about her efforts toward DEI in the design industry, as well as sustainability. She also talked about a day in the life as an NKBA chapter president, as well as her participation in the organization’s Women to Women Conference. The interview will be available on-demand soon, so don’t miss out!

To learn more about the KBIS 2024 hits and highlights and all the show’s activations and attractions, listen to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pandora and other outlets.