A new partnership between the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo will help design and remodeling professionals discover new smart home technology.
NKBA announced its official endorsement of the technology expo, describing it as the place for “kitchen and bath design and remodeling professionals [to] connect with technology integrators to learn, network, and collaborate.” By officially recognizing the expo, NKBA hopes to encourage its members to consider the importance of smart technology in the home.
As part of the partnership, CEDIA will be adding the Design Connection Pavilion to its 2018 expo, which runs from Sept. 6 to 8 , at the San Diego Convention Center. The pavilion will be configured to help design and construction professionals discover new smart product brands that can be integrated into residential and commercial designs. NKBA also will have a booth at the show.
NKBA emphasizes that its designer members need not become technology integrators themselves, but it is essential to connect and partner with technology professionals to meet increasing demand for smart home technology.
“Having an area on the show floor dedicated to technology and design integration will spark needed conversations between the two professional groups,” says Suzie Williford , NKBA’s chief strategy officer and executive vice president of industry relations. “Kitchen and bath designers are hungry for products that will move the needle on technology integration in intelligently built environments.”
The 2018 CEDIA Expo also will feature a Design Connection Tour series and a networking event for design and remodeling professionals. While the events will be small and invitation-only in 2018, NKBA hopes to expand them for future CEDIA Expos.
This story first appeard in the July/August issue of PRODUCTS magazine. See the print version here.