Following the success of last shows theme, Future, kbb continues to predict forthcoming trends and challenges facing the industry – in partnership with AMA Research. Bringing you a world of innovation for a world of change, kbb will manifest four trends and challenges in each feature across the four day event, providing the innovation, inspiration and insight necessary for businesses to grow.

The four trends are:

  • Society: Evolving customer behaviours alter the meaning of lifestyle design.
  • Smart Technology: Future or fad, ‘smart’ creates new possibilities for those on either side of the argument.
  • Disruption: The construction landscape is changed by ‘disruptors’, heralding new design opportunities.
  • Materiality: Consumers continue to become more demanding for higher quality products and materials.

Returning in 2018 are The Innovation Awards, held in partnership with Blum. They aim to discover and celebrate brands producing products, methods and ideas that align with our theme’s trends – entries will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges including Andy Bishop, Creative Director at kbb. The winners will be announced at the end of the first day at the show, so visitors can cast an eye on the winning innovations.

The Retail & Design Conference will provide practical advice, helping businesses to grow in an industry that is constantly changing. Sessions will run across the course of the show, covering topics such as: surviving a recession and come out stronger, using your data efficiently, keeping up with the latest colour and material trends, plus more to be announced.

Among over 400 industry leading brands exhibiting at the NEC in March are many returning brands, as well as a range of new exhibitors, including: Smeg, Samsung, Dansani, Novy, Franke, Cambria, Carron Phoenix, Uform and Scavolini.

Kbb Birmingham is Europe’s key product launch opportunity for 2018, and will provide a first look at some of the innovative new products yet to hit the market. Newform will showcase their 6 new ‘Exclusive Metal’ finishes, Kuppersbusch will unveil their latest cutting edge appliance collection, and award winning kitchen designer Colin Wong will uncover his new concept, “The Rock”. The idea explores the potential of permanence and impermanence within kitchen furniture and materials, with leading material suppliers Corian, Cosentino, Neolith and Formica fabricating, delivering and installing each in a series of ‘rocks’ which will be displayed at the show.

Jon Johnston, Event Director of kbb commented, “I’m really looking forward to another successful year at kbb Birmingham, and particularly how the community will explore and learn from this year’s them. We’re welcoming a range of new and returning exhibitors, all of which will showcase a high calibre of products, methods and ideas.”

Join the conversation with 16,000 industry buyers at the NEC, Birmingham in March – visit www.kbb.co.uk to register for your ticket. Keep in touch with us on Twitter using @kbblive and #futurekbb.