What are the kbbreview Awards?
The kbbreview awards is a prestigious annual event, now in its 18th year, which rewards retailers and designers in the kitchen and bathroom industry.
Who can enter?
There are 17 awards given out on the night, 14 of which are open to entries. They are split into two distinct disciplines - business and design. The design categories are open to anyone designing kitchen and bathroom projects in the UK and Ireland and the business section is for anyone operating a kitchen or bathroom retail showroom in the UK and Ireland. Independents, multiples and franchisees are all welcome to enter (see rules).
What are the categories?
A breakdown of all the categories is available here but there are design categories for domestic projects at differing budget levels and designers working specifically for contractors, house builders and developers.
The business categories reward the best customer service, the best showrooms and the best all-round retailers.
Go to the categories section for help in choosing which are right for you and to see the details on each one.
How do I enter?
The entry process is very simple and is laid out in detail here. But simply put, you choose your categories, you write up supporting text and pick photos that best illustrate the design or business. You then go to the entry page, fill in your details and an email is automatically sent to you. You then send it back to us with the text and pictures attached. Couldn't be simpler.
What does it cost?
Absolutely nothing, it's completely free to enter.
What's the closing date?
The entry process begins on September 1, 2011 and closes no later than midday on November 30. Please note, there will be no extensions.
How are the winners chosen?
After the closing date, the judging process begins and we are proud to say that it is unique in this industry in its focus and detail. After the closing date, our judging panel of experts narrows all the entries down to a short list of finalists, which will be announced in December. Then, for the design categories, the finalists will be invited to London to present their designs to the judges in person on February 2, 2012. In the business categories, all the finalists will be visited by the judges in their showrooms to see their operation for themselves.
Is there any point in entering if I'm only a small business?
Judges are specifically guided not to look for who has the biggest turnover, showroom or highest budget for a design. They look for how well you have used the resources available to you - whether that's a small high-street showroom or huge retail park unit. Likewise in design, the main criteria are how well you have met your client's brief and whether you have spent their budget wisely - whatever that budget may be.
It's a very tough market at the moment... We're more than aware that trading conditions have been very difficult to say the least. But, again, these aren't awards for the biggest turnover or profit, they exist to reward good designers and businesses who have performed well in the context of the market.
When will the winners be announced?
All the finalists are invited, along with a partner, to the 800-seat, black-tie award ceremony on March 5, 2012 at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham - alongside the kbb Birmingham exhibition at the NEC - and the winners are announced with the traditional opening of an envelope.
What exactly do I win?
You obviously win the exclusive trophy to keep and display, but we also have a dedicated PR company that will work with winners to help them promote their success at the awards. This is particularly effective with local and regional press where winners achieve significant coverage.
All design finalists receive a one-year honorary membership of the Society of British Interior Design (SBID), which is now a regular supporter of the event.
And new for this year, the Retailer of the Year and Showroom of the Year winners will win a year's worth of advertising in leading consumer magazine, Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms, worth more than £20,000! (T&Cs apply).
