UBM, organiser of kbb Birmingham, has reported the biggest and busiest show to date, with 35% more exhibitors than in 2014.
The show also saw increased footfall, with a total of 15,650 attendees, 14% higher than 2014 levels.
UBM said the success of the show reaffirms that economic and trading conditions are improving. It also reported its strongest rebooking figures of 65%.
This year’s show saw strong presence from international brands such as Scavolini, Schuller, Bora, Neolith and Bagno Design. It also saw the return of key industry names such as BSH, Crosswater, Roper Rhodes, Hepplewhite Fitted Furniture and Mereway Kitchens.
Industry experts also supported the event by speaking at the kbbreview Retail and Design Conference. Speakers included Bathstore chief executive Gary Favell, design director at Taylors Etc Lesley Taylor and Ffion Francis, events manager at online interiors platform Houzz.
The show also received positive feedback with many citing the atmosphere as ‘buzzing’ and ‘buoyant’. Graham Jones, Trend Interiors sales and marketing director, claimed kbb Birmingham to be “the glue that binds the industry together”.
Trevor Scott, owner of Rugby Fitted Kitchens, said: “If ever there was a sign of an industry that is back on the way up, it was the size and the quality of the stands this year – indeed the two-level stand is back.
“Two years ago, I was impressed by what I saw in the bathroom hall and it totally overshadowed a very lacklustre kitchen hall. This year, I thought that bathrooms again held their end up well, but as I turned the corner into the kitchen hall, I was immediately struck by the contrast. Without a doubt, this year kitchens stole the show.”
Sales director at kbb Birmingham, Jon Johnston, said: “This year’s kbb Birmingham has been an outstanding success for everyone involved and I am hugely proud of the team that helped to deliver our best show yet. Kbb 2016 has reaffirmed that manufacturers are producing incredibly forward-facing and innovative solutions for the industry, and people are responding positively to these changes.
“We are also extremely pleased with our record re-book figures for kbb Birmingham 2018, and the team are now looking ahead to the new Kitchen and Bathroom Design event in London next year – which we hope to be as successful as our Birmingham edition.”