The NKBA has Chosen 30 Exceptional Young Professionals to Explore the Show Floor and Report on Key Industry Trends at KBIS 2015 in Las Vegas, Jan. 20 –22

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) will recognize the 2015 30 Under 30 at the upcoming Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS®), to be held Jan. 20 – 22, 2015, in Las Vegas. 

The NKBA will not only acknowledge these talented young individuals, but also help them immerse and apply themselves to new opportunities for growth and development in support of the industry.

“We are excited to present our 30 Under 30 young professionals at KBIS 2015 for the third year in a row,” says Nancy Barnes, NKBA Director of Learning. “The program launch in 2013 was a huge success with the group, which included enthusiastic entrepreneurs, forward-thinking CEOs, and cutting-edge designers, all in their 20s.” 

In a program called “Introductions to the Industry,” the 2015 30 Under 30 group will make its debut on January 20, at 10:15 a.m. at Center Stage, NKBA Booth #N2163 and be introduced to the extensive gathering of industry professionals at KBIS.

“Introduced in 2013, the 30 Under 30 program is designed to capture the voice of the next generation of kitchen and bathroom professionals,” says 2014 NKBA President-Elect Maria Stapperfenne, CKD, CBD. “The group scours the show floor for innovations, trends and new technologies, as well as sustainable business practices and emerging business models and then shares these insights with attendees.”

At KBIS 2015, the newly inducted group will work on obtaining valuable information on a specific topic from exhibitor feedback and share their findings during a presentation on Jan. 21 at Center Stage. This year the 30 Under 30 recipients will work in ten groups of three to conduct research on design trends such as sustainability, aging in place and multi-generational, as well as business trends such as global influences, products, systems and more. In this lively session, the 30 Under 30 group will present their research on critical kitchen and bath industry trends and answer questions regarding any issues that professionals face in their businesses.

The NKBA Announces 2015 30 Under 30 Award Recipients

The candidates selected for the 30 Under 30 program at KBIS 2015 include: Emily Alt, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen; Melissa Austin, AKBD, Affinity Stoneworks/Affinity Kitchen and Bath; Jamie Banfield, Jamie Banfield Design; Jonathan Barfell, Jenn-Air; Krista Benton, AKBD, CabinetWerks a division of Orren Pickell Building; Danielle Bohn, AKBD, Creative Kitchen Designs, Inc.; Stephanie Brick, Associate AIA, Nicely Done Kitchens & Baths; Deena Castello, Cabochon Surfaces & Fixtures; Michelle Eglington, Euro-Line Appliances West Inc.; Monty Elsabbagh, Canadian General Contractors Group; Kara Feinberg, Allied Kitchen and Bath; Megan Greve, Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC; Katharine Hatcher, Southern Kitchens; Jag Khangura, Kitply Industries; Jennifer Murphy, Associates in Building + Design; Jessica Petrino, Yale Appliance and Lighting; Kerri Plazza, Cabinets Extraordinaire; Chelsey Preuss, Minnesota Cabinets, Inc.; Leanne Richard, The Home Depot; Amanda Rivera, Moen Incorporated; Katie Roberts, Amerock; Victoria Ross, Cosentino; Diana Runyon, Select Kitchen and Bath; Nikki Sayers, Huntwood Cabinets; Damara Scheeler, North Star Remodeling; Megan Siason, Marrokal Design & Remodeling; Tyl Thomas, Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo; Alexandria Van Nuys, Lane Homes & Remodeling; Brynne Welper, The Home Depot; Elizabeth Wesley, Lifestyle Kitchen Studio. 

To register for the show and/or events, please visit: www.kbis.com.