Thousands of people from across the nation gathered at the world’s largest kitchen and bath event, the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show (K/BIS), sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in Chicago, IL this past April. Among them, bestselling authors, television personalities and a world-renowned futurist captivated audiences as featured keynote speakers.

Jason Jennings, national bestselling author of It’s Not the Big That Eat the Small, It’s the Fast That Eat the Show and Less is More: How Great Companies Use Productivity as a Competitive Tool, opened the show with his keynote session, sharing secrets of the world’s most productive companies and how to use those secrets to boost productivity and profits without adding employees or other excessive costs.

“Jennings was incredible, energizing and insightful,” an attendee noted. “His information was eye-opening and incredibly informative. He caught the full attention of the audience and carried through with stimulating and thought provoking messages,” another attendee agreed.

Following Jennings, Tom Silva, America’s favorite general contractor and host of “This Old House” and new addition “Ask This Old House,” shared his 25-years of experience in the industry with three major topics: Products and Trends Focus; Old is New Again; and How to Win the Remodeling Game.

Silva’s keynote provided attendees with insightful information about products and technologies used in designer solutions, how manufacturers are combining old world craftsmanship with modern technology, and how building and design professionals can deliver top customer service, quality products and installation, and unparalleled craftsmanship.

Hilda Santo-Tomas followed suit with her keynote about creating simplified, uncluttered, elegant spaces when designing a room. Santo-Tomas, the edgy recurring designer on TLC’s popular “Trading Spaces” show talked about her experiences working with clients to achieve their ‘dream’ room and shared tips and techniques to create the look everyone wants.

Kicking off the second day of keynotes at K/BIS, Ed Barlow, futurist and President of Creating the Future, Inc. hosted the luncheon session, teaching the audience about ways to strategically anticipate and creatively respond to the future. He explored a variety of influences that can affect personal, professional, organizational and community settings.

Some attendees commented: “Invigorating talk with lots of food for thought,” “Great speaker and wonderful resources,” “Applicable to multiple industries,” “Interesting approach to opening our vision on the future.”

The afternoon keynote featured Alton Brown, host of the Food Network’s “Good Eats,” a show Brown created that combines his passion for food with quirky pop culture. Brown stimulated the audience with his thoughts on everything in a kitchen, from appliances and design, to cooking tips and personal preferences.

Opening the final day of K/BIS, Doug Lipp, an internationally acclaimed expert on customer service, leadership and global competitiveness motivated and challenged the audience with his session about his 25-years of experience working from the front lines to the boardrooms of corporations around the world. Lipp also is the author of Even Monkeys Fall from Trees, about the balance of art and science for outstanding customer service, and the key to maintaining balance and recovering from inevitable mistakes.

Closing the keynotes sessions, Michael Payne, host of HGTV’s problem-solving show, “Designing for the Sexes” illustrated some common design dilemmas couples experience while remodeling their homes. He used examples from the show to teach attendees how the use of certain materials and design styles can resolve different tastes of opposite sexes.

Additionally, Gary Uhl, Robin Levien and Marc Sadler from American Standard provided a state-of-the-art industry address, and Thom Filicia, designer on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” made demonstrations at the Electrolux and Frigidaire booths. Following is a list of other high-profile appearances at K/BIS:

· Michael Graves – one of the most successful American architects practicing today. Designed world-famous projects such as the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney Swan Hotel in Florida. Graves was on hand at K/BIS signing lithographs at the Delta Faucet booth.

· Dom Deluise – “king of comedy and cooking”, chef and author held a press conference at the Samsung booth

· Martin Yan – host of “Yan Can Cook” cooked up a storm at the GE booth

· Jacques Haeringer -- chef, author of two successful cookbooks, The Chez Francois Cookbook, and Two for Tonight, and host of his nationwide television program "Two for Tonight” baked at the Thermador booth

· Supermodel Vendela –along with contestants from “America’s Next Top Model” washed delicates shown on the runway at the Bosch booth

The Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference showcases products that change the kitchen and bath industry through their innovation and ability to meet the needs of the marketplace. Presented by the NKBA; sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Business; and produced by VNU Expositions, K/BIS is the world's largest international trade event dedicated to the kitchen & bath industry.