There is one area in home construction and renovation that has historically been virtually recession-proof and that is the kitchen and the bath category.
According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the most recent Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI), a leading indicator of market performance, rose during the first quarter of 2024, providing another positive indication that the K&B industry has not only held steady, but is entering a period of growth.
This positive trajectory presents an opportunity for lighting professionals as well. At this year’s ALA Annual Conference at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, Sept. 22-24, guest speakers Tricia Zach, head of research for NKBA, and renowned designer Patricia Davis Brown, CMKBD, will reveal current and upcoming kitchen and bath trends as well as specific lighting techniques for improving functionality and elevating the aesthetics of these two critical areas.
The session, The Art of Lighting a Room Aesthetically, will be held Monday morning (Sept. 23) of Conference under the event's design trends and marketing education track. In this session, Tricia Zach and Patricia Davis Brown will detail methods for lighting a space aesthetically, outlining the importance of utilizing all three types of layered lighting – general, task, and decorative – to define the function, mood, and ambience of a room. In addition, they will point out emerging trends on the horizon.
In her role as head of research for the NKBA, Tricia Zach is a popular speaker covering topics such as the utilization of space and the use of color to technology and shifts in lifestyle trends. After conducting research in the financial services industry for years, she is responsible for setting the strategic direction for NKBA’s research initiatives and manages the design, implementation, and reporting of the NKBA’s custom research studies.
Patricia Davis Brown is a 32-year veteran of the design industry who has received 15 national awards for her designs and has been featured in magazines such as Traditional Home, Qualified Remodeler, Consumer Reports, Wall Street Journal, and Better Homes & Gardens among others.
Of particular note, she has made lighting her passion. Instead of relying solely on electricians in the field to determine the placement and selection of lamps in her design projects, she began the process of learning how to measure lighting and has since become sought after for her expertise on aesthetically lighting a room correctly.
Register for ALA Conference to catch this informative session that will inspire you to think outside of the box and lead to greater sales for your lighting business.
