2026 was a record-breaking year for the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS).
Both shows were co-located at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from 17-19 February, attracting over 117,000 registrants and 2,250 exhibitors from across the residential construction and design industry. These figures represent the shows’ highest-ever attendance.
New products and technologies made their debuts, while audiences were treated to a host of live demonstrations and immersive interactive displays.
Claire Amberson Phillips, our Senior Account Executive, was among the lucky attendees at this year’s KBIS and IBS.
She explains what happened, why exhibitors need to be there next year, and how they can give themselves the best chance of standing out.
What was your experience like at KBIS and IBS, and how would you describe the energy in the room?
I’ve been to around half a dozen KBIS and IBS shows and I, like many exhibitors, was a little nervous about the shift from Vegas back to Orlando.
Both events were in Orlando this year, and I think a lot of companies were hesitant about the switch back, as the shows haven’t been in Orlando since Covid. A few attendees I spoke to were worried the energy wouldn’t be as good as in Las Vegas.
Despite this trepidation, the vibe was just the same. The show still felt innovation-focused and sales-driven. There was still a lot of traffic and engagement.
It was split up into different halls, so there was a lot more walking involved, but the overall energy was amazing, just as it was in Vegas in 2025.
Which trends and products most caught your attention?
One of the main things that stood out to me was the new AI technology on the show floor.
There were ovens that could distinguish different types of food and then suggest cooking instructions based on this. For example, if you’re cooking a whole roasted chicken, the oven will suggest a certain temperature and time and prepare the meal without you. You can start these ovens from the office by using an app on your phone if you want to. The technology is super intuitive.
I saw refrigerators that could track if you were running low on certain items such as milk and add it to an online grocery list, which I thought was wild!
KBIS featured lots of collaborations with really hot designers and lots of famous people in trade show booths, including chefs who were utilizing the various appliances and cooktops.
Jonathan and Drew Scott from the TV show Property Brothers were there, and I saw Javier Burkle.
I also noticed that there was a much bigger emphasis on education, which I liked, and I also noticed a big injection of color across the board. Bright bathtubs and sinks were really ‘in’, with green, blue, and pale pink taking center stage.
What were some of the other key takeaways of the event, from your perspective?
At previous shows, a lot of booths gave off the vibe of being almost big, closed off boxes. However, this year, I noticed things opening up. The whole show felt more free-flowing and accessible.
I also felt like 2026 reiterated, more than ever, the importance of touching, feeling, and doing hands-on demos.
I can look at something online and think, “Yeah, that looks cool,” but watching a chef put a whole chicken in an oven and watching it cook, or watching someone open up a dishwasher to showcase spacing and organization, gives me a true sense of the product.
As a single mom of two kids who cooks regularly, I love that. Nothing beats being able to see, touch, and feel a product, in my opinion, and that was a big part of the show.
These hands-on demos allow exhibitors to get invaluable feedback from clients and refine their strategy based on this. Because let’s face it—what sells in New York may not sell in Malibu. Everyone has different design needs for different spaces.
Can you share your specific booth experiences at the show?
I came across an all-in-one washer and dryer from GE Profile, which I had not seen before. I found that very cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMQ-KagjSpg
Companies like Caesarstone and KOHLER prioritized education in their booths, which I really appreciated. It was more than just a case of, ‘Here's our product. Buy it.’
Caesarstone’s booth featured mimosas and mood boards, and they had a bunch of different designers from all over the country come in and talk about industry trends as part of a panel.
Another standout feature of their booth was this kind of book match whereby you could take stone veining and match it exactly against a seam. We’re not talking about little countertop islands; we’re talking about homes with sprawling porcelain spaces where everything looks seamless.
They also showcased glossy and matte finishes of the exact same stone on top of each other, layered. You could look at them and kind of see what your ideal style would be or what would work best in your space. I found that interesting.
The customizable closets from Hardware Resources caught my eye when I visited their booth. Those closets feature drawer departments under the bathroom sink which you can use to charge your phone out of sight. This was a really neat feature. Life moves pretty fast and can become quite hectic at times, so it's great to know there are products like this out there which keep everything efficient and streamlined.
MOEN created acrylic stands containing actual physical faucets and a curved video screen behind it featuring LED tiles. As you watched these tiles, they cycled through different rotating vignettes. These vignettes showed the audience how that faucet would look based on the aesthetic they preferred, whether it be funky, warm, classic, or country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm_SL7b-huc
If you’re looking to exhibit next year and want something similar, this is exactly the sort of thing that we can do for you to bring your products to life and entice qualified leads into your booth.
Why is being at KBIS and IBS 2027 a no-brainer for exhibitors?
Well, it’s back in Vegas, which is always fun!
KBIS and IBS will continue with a co-location and partnership. You’ll have access to both shows with one badge, and, honestly, this is like the Super Bowl of the residential construction and design industry.
It’s the largest show in North America dedicated to the industry and is truly a one-of-a-kind event. It’s a platform for designers, architects, builders, and retailers to see the latest and greatest.
You’ll see new designs, talk to people who’ve been in the industry for a long time, and have game-changing conversations.
What tips do you have for exhibitors ahead of KBIS and IBS in February 2027?
My biggest tip would be to book your hotel in advance. Start looking now if you haven’t yet, and do some research ahead of time.
On that point, I recommend utilizing the tools that KBIS and IBS offer. I managed to book a hotel that was affiliated with KBIS and IBS this year. They offered a free shuttle while I was in Orlando to and from the show, which was so much easier and more efficient than waiting on an Uber or trying to get a cab.
I think it's always good to stay along the monorail trail in Las Vegas. If you stay at one of the hotels that has direct access to the monorail, you’re able to get to and from the show without having to wait on an Uber or stand in the taxi lines.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and send me a direct message.
How can The Trade Group help exhibitors maximize their impact at KBIS and IBS 2027?
We have strong credentials in this industry.
I've worked with the same team on KBIS booths for six or seven years now, and our whole team is invested in the success of our clients at the show. We become immersed in that client’s brand and act as an extension of them when it comes to their exhibit and the overall experience they provide.
We don’t just give you a structurally sound booth. We listen to your specific needs and incorporate your strategy into the structure itself.
As well as providing beautiful booth designs and integrating experiential elements, we can help with things like pre- and post-show marketing, lead generation, managing logistics, and creation of videography and motion graphics.
Essentially, we’re a one-stop shop for trade show exhibitors and an all-round strategic partner that can see the whole picture and walk you through every step of the event. That’s what sets us apart.
We received this hugely positive testimonial from Caesarstone at KBIS and IBS 2026, which explains more about who we are and how we can help companies like yours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdAM-rqqY6w
If you’re interested in partnering with us, contact us here or give us a call at (800) 343-2005.
