Planning Your KBIS 2027 Exhibit Around a Product Launch

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is one of the most important events for brands looking to introduce new products, connect with industry professionals, and showcase innovation in kitchen and bath design. With KBIS 2027 taking place February 2–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, exhibitors have an opportunity to put their latest products in front of designers, architects, builders, dealers, and other industry decision-makers.

For companies planning a product launch, however, exhibiting requires more than an attractive booth and a new product display.

A successful launch starts with a clear strategy. Your exhibit should communicate what makes your product different, demonstrate its value, and create meaningful opportunities for conversations with prospective customers and partners.

Whether you’re introducing a new appliance collection, innovative bathroom fixtures, cabinetry systems, or smart home technology, here are six important steps to consider when planning your KBIS 2027 exhibit.

1. Define Your Product Launch Objectives

Before thinking about booth design, determine what you want your product launch to accomplish.

While generating awareness is important, your exhibit should also support measurable business objectives.

Consider these questions:

• Brand awareness: Are you introducing a completely new product or expanding an existing product line?
• Lead generation: Are you looking to connect with new dealers, distributors, builders, or designers?
• Product education: Does your product require hands-on demonstrations or technical explanations?
• Sales opportunities: Are you planning to schedule meetings with potential customers or existing business partners?
• Media exposure: Will you be inviting industry publications, influencers, or other media representatives to your booth?

For example, a manufacturer launching a new smart kitchen appliance may prioritize live demonstrations that help attendees experience its features. A luxury bathroom fixture brand, on the other hand, may focus on premium product presentations and conversations with architects and designers.

The key takeaway: Identify one primary launch objective and two or three supporting goals. These priorities should guide your exhibit design, messaging, staffing, and overall investment.

2. Prioritize the Products You Want to Showcase

One common challenge exhibitors face is trying to feature too many products within a limited booth space.

For a product launch, not every item in your portfolio needs equal attention.

Start by identifying your primary launch product and the supporting products that help communicate your brand story.

Consider organizing your product displays into three categories:

• Hero product: Your most important new product or innovation, positioned as the main attraction.
• Supporting products: Complementary products that demonstrate how your new offering fits into a larger collection or solution.
• Established products: Existing products that reinforce your company’s expertise, quality, and market position.

For kitchen and bath manufacturers, product presentation can significantly influence how attendees understand the value of an innovation.

A new kitchen appliance, for example, may be more compelling when displayed in a realistic kitchen environment rather than on an isolated pedestal. Similarly, new bathroom fixtures may benefit from a thoughtfully designed setting that demonstrates materials, finishes, and functionality.

The key takeaway: Prioritize products based on your launch goals and use your exhibit environment to tell a clear, compelling story.

3. Design Your Exhibit Around the Product Experience

Your trade show exhibit should do more than display products. It should help attendees understand, interact with, and remember them.

At KBIS, where visitors encounter a wide range of products and design innovations, thoughtful exhibit planning can make a significant difference.

When evaluating your booth layout, consider the following areas.

Product Demonstration Areas

If your launch involves a product that benefits from hands-on interaction, provide enough space for demonstrations without interrupting attendee traffic.

Plan for product visibility, staff access, lighting, electrical requirements, and appropriate viewing distances.

Product Display and Presentation

Create display environments that reflect how your products will be used.

For kitchen and bath brands, this may involve realistic room settings, integrated cabinetry, premium finishes, or displays that highlight craftsmanship and product details.

Meeting and Conversation Spaces

Not every visitor will need a demonstration.

Dealers, distributors, architects, and business partners may want a quieter area to discuss pricing, specifications, availability, or potential partnerships.

Consider whether your exhibit needs dedicated meeting tables or private conversation areas.

Branding and Visual Messaging

Your exhibit should immediately communicate your brand identity and what makes your new product worth exploring.

Clear signage, product storytelling, lighting, and architectural design can help establish a cohesive visitor experience.

The key takeaway: Every major design decision should connect back to your launch objectives and the experience you want attendees to have.

4. Establish a Realistic Exhibit Budget and Project Scope

Budget planning is an essential part of preparing for KBIS 2027, especially for brands developing a custom trade show exhibit around a major product launch.

Your budget should account for more than exhibit construction alone.

Depending on your program, key expenses may include:

• Exhibit design, engineering, and custom fabrication
• Product displays and demonstration equipment
• Graphics, lighting, and audiovisual technology
• Freight, shipping, and material handling
• Installation and dismantling
• Electrical, internet, plumbing, and other show services
• Product transportation and storage
• Onsite support and project management

It’s also important to establish which features are essential to the launch and which can be adjusted if the budget or schedule changes.

For example, a fully operational product demonstration may be a higher priority than an additional digital display or decorative feature.

A clearly defined budget allows your internal team and exhibit partner to evaluate design options that support your goals while accounting for the full project scope.

The key takeaway: Start with a realistic overall budget, identify essential components, and understand the complete cost of delivering your exhibit to the show floor.

5. Confirm Product Readiness and Technical Requirements

A product launch and a trade show exhibit often involve separate development schedules.

Your marketing team may be preparing launch announcements while product development teams are finalizing prototypes, specifications, or production samples.

These timelines need to align before major exhibit design and fabrication decisions are made.

Ask your team:

• Will the final product be available before the exhibit needs to be shipped?
• Will the display use a production-ready product, working prototype, or nonfunctional model?
• Does the product require special electrical, plumbing, ventilation, or internet connections?
• What are the product’s dimensions, weight, and installation requirements?
• Are product graphics, specifications, and messaging approved?
• What is the alternative plan if a launch product is delayed?

These questions are particularly relevant to kitchen and bath manufacturers whose products may require specialized installations or working demonstrations.

Any technical requirements should also be evaluated against show regulations, venue capabilities, and available services.

Communicating these details early helps reduce last-minute design changes and allows your exhibit partner to evaluate the project more accurately.

The key takeaway: Product readiness should be part of exhibit planning from the beginning, not something addressed after the design is approved.

6. Identify Decision-Makers and Establish an Approval Process

Exhibit planning often involves multiple internal stakeholders, including marketing, sales, product development, procurement, and executive leadership.

Without a clear approval process, even relatively small decisions can create delays.

Before moving forward, identify who will be responsible for approving:

• Overall exhibit goals and project scope
• Budget and major expenses
• Exhibit design and layout
• Product displays and technical requirements
• Brand messaging and graphics
• Final project deliverables and schedule

Assigning one primary internal project owner can help keep communication organized and decisions moving forward.

For KBIS 2027, exhibitors should review their remaining milestones as soon as possible, particularly if their launch involves custom fabrication, complex product demonstrations, or multiple approval stages.

An experienced exhibit partner can help evaluate project requirements, identify dependencies, and establish a realistic path forward based on the proposed scope and timeline.

The key takeaway: Clear ownership and timely approvals help reduce uncertainty and keep exhibit planning aligned with product launch objectives.

7. Your KBIS 2027 Exhibit Brief: What to Prepare

Before discussing exhibit concepts with a design and fabrication partner, put together a short exhibit brief.

This doesn’t need to be a lengthy document. A one-page summary can help your internal team communicate priorities and give potential partners a clearer understanding of the project.

Your KBIS 2027 exhibit brief should include:

• Company and Brand: Provide a brief overview of your company, brand positioning, and target audience.
• Launch Objectives: Define your primary business goals and what you want attendees to do or experience at your booth.
• Priority Products: Identify the main products you’re launching and any supporting products you plan to showcase.
• Booth Space: Include your confirmed booth dimensions, location, and any specific layout requirements.
• Exhibit Experience: Outline your needs for product demonstrations, display areas, meeting spaces, and branding.
• Budget: Establish your estimated overall investment and identify the most important exhibit components.
• Product Readiness: Confirm product availability, dimensions, technical requirements, and development status.
• Timeline: Identify important internal deadlines, approval milestones, and required delivery dates.
• Approval Owners: Assign a primary point of contact and identify the stakeholders responsible for major project decisions.

Having this information prepared makes initial planning conversations more productive and helps identify potential challenges before they affect the overall project.

8. Bring Your KBIS 2027 Product Launch Vision to Life With EDE

A successful product launch deserves an exhibit experience that reflects the quality, innovation, and value behind your brand.

At EDE, we understand that effective exhibit design starts with understanding your business objectives, your products, and the audience you want to reach.

From creative exhibit strategy and custom booth design to in-house fabrication and show-floor execution, EDE works with brands to develop distinctive environments that bring their stories to life.

If your company is preparing to launch a new product at KBIS 2027, start by defining your objectives, identifying your priorities, and organizing the details that will shape your exhibit.

Ready to discuss your KBIS 2027 exhibit brief?

Connect with EDE to share your product launch goals, booth requirements, and project timeline. Our team can discuss your objectives and evaluate potential next steps based on project scope, schedule, and current capacity.

Related reading:

How to Select a Trade Show Exhibit Partner