- February 14, 2024
- Ellie Gott
Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partners – aka – The UN of Kitchen + Bath.
NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partners comprise several international organizations and associations. Each one represents a kitchen and bath manufacturer who serve the residential kitchen and bath industry. This bunch shares an interest in many areas including sustainable design, the role of digital/AI, the shortage of skilled labor, and water conservation/purity, to name a few!
The Forum Concept
New for NKBA Global Connect and launching at KBIS 2024, NKBA will host a meeting with the Strategic Alliance partners. The partners are leading international trade associations and organizations that have joined forces with the NKBA to improve the kitchen + bath industry globally. This will be an idea and information exchange for each partner to share their 2024 goals and dreams! It’s a big-boss meeting for the big bosses, and we are ready for it. The goal: to create a thought leadership circle of insights that will drive the kitchen and bath industry, year-round. Strategic Alliance Partners…unite!
Alliance Partner Participants Include:
Volker Irle: AMK
Managing Director for German Association, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche e.V. (AMK), Volker Irle, will present on behalf of AMK. AMK was founded in 1956 and has become the trade and service association for the entire German kitchen industry. More than 140 companies are members– all major manufacturers of kitchen furniture, electrical and built-in appliances, sinks, and accessories. Also included are suppliers, trade partnerships, and service providers in the kitchen sector.
Damian Walters: The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation
Damien Walters is the Chief Executive of The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI). BiKBBI is the UK’s first and only government-sanctioned and industry-supported Institute for professional KBB installers, launched in 2007. The ‘not for profit’ organization was launched with objectives to include the creation of a national benchmark for installation quality within the industry. They provide consumers with an informed choice, and supporting reputable KBB installers & retailers to achieve their business aspirations through quality support.
Tom Reynolds: Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA)
Tom Reynold is the CEO and principal spokesperson of the UK-based Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA). He also spearheads the BMA’s policy advocacy on behalf of members. BMA’s principal objective is to provide an independent forum for bathroom manufacturers trading in the UK to discuss and debate matters of mutual interest. They act as an information highway between industry, the government, and the consumer on all issues affecting the UK bathroom business.
Fabio Cruz: Centrorochas – The Brazilian Association of Natural Stone Exporters
Fabio Cruz, CEO of the Brazilian Association of Natural Stone Exporters (Centrorochas), the exporter for 21 quarries across Brazil, will present the program “It’s Natural.” The program was developed by the Brazilian Center of Centrorochas, in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). It aims to encourage and increase exports of Brazilian natural stones.
David Ventris-Field: Lyrical Communications
David Ventris-Field is the Sales Director at Lyrical Communications for the InstallerSHOW and elemental brands. Lyrical Communications delivers market-leading in-person and digital content to heat, water, air, and energy professionals via the InstallerSHOW. The Birmingham-based exhibit features 20,000 installers, specifiers, and decision-makers working across the heat, water, air, and energy sectors.
Bill Darcy: National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)
Bill Darcy is the global CEO and president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and will speak to the hot topics on the NKBA agenda for 2024 and beyond. The NKBA is the epicenter of the industry. The NKBA boasts a growing Global Connect membership and The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show itself. Having joined the NKBA in 2006 as Manager of Marketing Partnerships and working his way up, Bill will provide exclusive details on the upcoming goals for the American Kitchen and Bath industry.
Carolina Giobbi: SICAM
Carolina Giobbi, founder of SICAM, the Italian-based international trade fair for the furniture industry, will share her market roadmap at the conference. SICAM is an annual trade show in Pordenone, Italy for components, accessories, and semi-finished products. SICAM hosts approximately 9,000 companies for more than 20,000 professional visitors from 112 countries from around the world. Giobbi’s plans will not only cover the Italian market but also the global relationships that SICAM has created.
Alexander Oswald: VDM
Alexander Oswald is the CEO of The Association of the German Furniture Industry. Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie- (VDM) is coming to present its business roadmap and upcoming programs. VDM is the central association representing the economic, political, legal, and technical interests of currently around 450 German furniture manufacturers. The main task of the VDM is to safeguard and represent the economic, political, and technical interests of the German timber and furniture industry. VDM accomplishes this vis-à-vis politicians, trade unions, and the general public.
We are so excited to support our media partner the NKBA with all of their exciting Global Connect programs at KBIS this year. Read more about KBIS, Global Connect, and NKBA here!
