2008 Eight-City Seminar Series Kicks Off; Dallas Set This Month

Hackensack, NJ - The first in an eight-city series of seminars being co-produced in 2008 by Kitchen & Bath Design News and the National Kitchen & Bath Association kicked off successfully in Atlanta last month, with the second program in the innovative educational initiative effort scheduled for this

More than 100 kitchen and bath dealers, designers, business owners and showroom personnel attended the first-ever "Pathways to Profit" seminar, co-produced by KBDN and the NKBA in Atlanta. Seven corporate sponsors lent their support to the all-day event.

"Our 2008 educational effort is off to an excellent start," commented KBDN editorial director & publisher Eliot Sefrin. "The fact that so many kitchen and bath professionals took time out from their busy schedules to attend the program validates the need throughout the industry for this type of live, in-depth education."

Sefrin also announced that a growing number of corporate sponsors are lining up in support of the 2008 educational conference series.

The series has already garnered the support of eight corporate co-sponsors, including Broan/NuTone, Danze, Elkay Mfg., Geberit, Mid Continent Cabinetry, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry, VT Industries and White River Hardwoods. Additional sponsors are expected to be announced in the near future, Sefrin said.

The 2008 educational initiative co-produced by KBDN and the NKBA consists of a series of seminars aimed at increasing the design skills, showroom savvy and profitability of kitchen and bath dealers, designers, showroom personnel and other trade professionals.

Being introduced in 2008 to five markets Atlanta, New York, Boston, Chicago and Cleveland - a new program, entitled "Pathways to Profit," will explore the key design and product trends driving today's kitchen and bath market, as well as the factors behind those trends.

The program will also explore how kitchen and bath professionals can generate additional revenue, and increase profitability, by honing their marketing, sales and merchandising techniques in ways that appeal to key consumer "hot buttons."

In addition to the new program, the successful, well-received "Profitable Showroom Design" seminar series will be presented in three new markets - Dallas, Minneapolis and Tampa. These seminars, now in their third year, focus on designing, accessorizing and managing a kitchen and bath showroom for maximum visual and sales impact, as well as profitability.

Both all-day programs, which include a continental breakfast and lunch, are led by well-known kitchen and bath design authority Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID.

The remaining 2008 schedule for the seminars is as follows:

PATHWAYS TO PROFIT

* April 29, Marriott Saddle Brook, Saddle Brook, NJ.

* May 22, Crowne Plaza Boston-Natick, Natick, MA.

* Sept. 25, Embassy Suites Chicago-Lombard/Oak Brook, Lombard, IL.

* Oct. 23, Hilton Cleveland East, Beachwood, OH.

* PROFITABLE SHOWROOM DESIGN

* March 25, Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center, Dallas, TX.

* June 12, Minneapolis Airport Marriott, Bloomington, MN.

* Nov. 20, Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore, Tampa, FL.

Information about registering for the programs can be obtained by contacting the NKBA at (908) 852-0033.