Pivoting To Plan B
I think that when we put 2020 behind us we could put “pivoting” behind us as well. 2021 was off to a hopeful start, but this Lifestylist® is realizing that 2021 may be the year of Plan B. The International Builders Show and The Kitchen and Bath Show were scheduled to start yesterday as virtual shows, but the technology gods weren’t having it. But we have found some ways that might make this year better than ever.
The Cambria Booth at KBIS 2020
Today should be day two of The International Builders Show and the Kitchen and Bath Shows - events that I have been attending for decades, and wouldn’t think of missing. Behind the scenes, because of the pandemic, all year long show planners have been trying to decide how to make the 2021 show work. By the time the decision was made in late October to change to a virtual show, a lot of the manufacturers had already invested a huge amount of time, money, and energy in their displays.
Virtual Meetings With Wellborn Cabinets
When I spoke to the Wellborn Cabinets team on Monday they shared that most of their booth had been built by the time the decision was made to turn the shows into a virtual experience. This company makes beautiful, American made cabinets and had to quickly come up with a Plan B. They used what they had built to provide videos and photography to do virtual tours. These could be shared to highlight their new colors and styles. They had also supplied cabinets to The New American Home and The New American Remodel. These two homes are full of innovative ideas that usually are toured by thousands of builders and attendees of the show. I was the Lifestylist® for the 2011 New American Home and even though it’s great to be able to touch and feel, seeing the home virtually will be a great option. The home can be shared for eternity now, not just for three days.
This year I have been more involved with The Designhounds - a group of designers and influencers founded by Veronika Eagleson of Modenus. She has been a great conduit to amazing brands like Signature Kitchen Suite, Plum Wine Dispenser, and others. It has given us direct access to companies that we can learn from and share their stories and what makes them special. Trade shows have always been about educating the masses in a short amount of time. Maybe it’s time for a more personal, targeted approach.
The Plum Wine Dispenser - it made the Lifestylist List for 2020!
As I’m waiting for what should be day two of the show to start, I’m reminded that an experience is what you make of it, and I’m going to make this into a positive experience. First of all, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the staff of The National Association of Home Builders and the National Kitchen and Bath Association. They spent 2020 doing their “day jobs” providing the same services they have always provided and more while quarantining and social distancing. A show as large as KBIS and IBS literally takes years to plan and every day things have been changing and they have had to change course constantly. I refuse to use the word pivot - that can stay in 2020! We need to support them, and never forget how much they have been trying to do for our industries as well as each and every one of us. I’m thinking it might be time to get back involved with my local chapters and associations.
I will also be forever loyal to the companies that are participating this year. Even though the show was changed to a virtual show they stepped and came up with ways to make this year even more special. Doing what you always do is one thing, but figuring out all of this technology has been challenging for most of us. These shows are not only about educating their members, they are critical sources of income to keep these organizations running. I’m looking forward to making even more of an effort this year to share who the sponsors of the shows are and to talk about the great products and companies that took a risk to support the shows and the associations.
Another positive is that I am loving not having to fight all of the traffic and walking miles every day, but I am missing spending time with my industry friends in person. Sitting at my desk with my slippers on and writing at a desk instead of in a mass of people has been wonderful. And whoever came up with the Pets and Prosecco idea for a virtual happy hour was brilliant! My creatures have been learning with me from their prime spots on my lap.
Chef Nick teaching us about Sous Vide Cooking at the Signature Kitchen Suite booth -this year he will be teaching us again, but virtually.
Maybe this is teaching us that it’s time for a new approach. Being there in person is wonderful, but there is a lot to be said for smart technology that works and can keep us safe at the same time. Here’s hoping that at some point I can get back into both shows and take advantage of all of the hard work that went into putting this together. Until then I’ll keep writing and fine-tuning my sous vide skills that I have learned from Chef Nick and Signature Kitchen Suite. My spin on his Sous Vide Chocolate Bark will be coming soon!