Something’s shifted on the trade show floor, and it’s not just the foot traffic.
KBIS and IBS aren’t just growing..they’re exploding. These two shows have become the premier arena for brands who know that the future of home innovation isn’t about categories, it’s about convergence.
At Highway 85 Creative, we’ve been in the thick of it, crafting bold spaces for brands like FreePower, The Wood Veneer Hub, and SPAN. We’ve seen what’s working, what’s flopping, and what’s turning into straight-up industry buzz.
Here’s what you need to know (and what your competition probably already does).
1. Design Innovation Is the New Currency
The days of flat walls and glossy brochures are over. The booth itself is the product now, and the brands investing in design innovation are the ones cashing in.
The New Standard: Immersive, Not Informative
Attendees crave experiences that pull them in and make them part of the story. The booths turning heads are creating experiences and talking with the customers not just at them.
At KBIS and IBS, we’ve seen a massive shift toward experiential builds: custom lighting, tactile materials, moving parts, and environments that feel like the future.
FreePower: Redefines the Kitchen
FreePower is introducing a lifestyle built around seamless, integrated technology. Their wireless power surface turns countertops into charging zones, and their booth needs to reflect that future-forward energy.
Crowds didn’t just walk by, they stopped, they touched, they asked questions. That’s what happens when design stops being decoration and starts being the message.
The Wood Veneer Hub: Texture Takes Center Stage
The Wood Veneer Hub is about craftsmanship that never dies. The kind of stuff that makes you want to reach out and feel it.
Their booth needed to bring warmth to the modern trade show floor, and we delivered a space that felt more like an art gallery than a vendor stall.
SPAN: Smart Energy, Smart Space
SPAN’s booth had to do what their product does best, make power look powerful. Their clean, tech-driven aesthetic gave us the perfect excuse to push bold geometry, sleek color blocking, and seamless digital integration.
Every corner of that booth said one thing loud and clear: this is where the future plugs in.
2. The Hybrid Audience Is Changing Everything
Here’s the truth: trade shows aren’t just physical anymore. They’re content factories. Every booth is now both a stage and a studio, and the brands that understand this are miles ahead.
From Booth to Broadcast
Every year, KBIS and IBS attract larger online audiences. Influencers, media outlets, and countless TikToks extend the reach far beyond the show floor.
We design with that in mind. The new metric of success focuses on digital reach and online engagement, and our three core brands have mastered this hybrid mindset.
Exhibit or TikTok Set? Yes.
- FreePower built for product demos and influencers filming their “mind-blown” reactions.
- The Wood Veneer Hub gave people the “must-touch” textures that trend online.
- SPAN’s clean, ultra-modern layout made it a natural for tech write-ups and press photo ops.
We don’t just design for the floor, we design for the feed. Because in 2026, reach matters as much as foot traffic.
3. Collaboration Is the New Competitive Edge
The Lines Between Industries Are Blurring
The biggest reason KBIS and IBS are taking off is the shift from competition to collaboration. These shows aren’t just about kitchen and bath anymore, they’ve become the meeting ground for technology, design, sustainability, and lifestyle innovation.
The entire industry is colliding in one place, and the results are transforming how people think about what’s possible inside a home.
This cross-pollination of ideas is what’s fueling the buzz and it’s happening right on the KBIS and IBS floors.
Where Design Meets Technology
The future of the home isn’t defined by one category; it’s the intersection of many. The brands making waves are the ones that understand how technology and craftsmanship can amplify each other.
Take FreePower, The Wood Veneer Hub, and SPAN for example, three companies from completely different worlds, all shaping the same conversation: what does modern living look like?
FreePower: Seamless Tech, Smarter Living
FreePower represents where tech innovation meets everyday life. Their wireless power surfaces don’t just charge devices; they redefine how people interact with the spaces around them.
The Wood Veneer Hub: Material Meets Emotion
The Wood Veneer Hub brings something entirely different to the mix, warmth, texture, and the timeless beauty of real craftsmanship. Amid all the tech talk, their booth reminds attendees that true innovation still needs a human touch.
SPAN: Powering the Smart Home Revolution
SPAN sits at the heart of the new home ecosystem. Their smart panels connect clean energy, EV charging, and digital control, bridging the gap between sustainability and everyday convenience.
When companies like SPAN step into these arenas, the definition of “home” expands.
The Collaboration Effect
The reason KBIS and IBS are growing so fast is that they’ve become platforms where industries intersect, where partnerships form, and where the boundaries of design keep expanding.
Attendees aren’t just walking aisles; they’re witnessing the future of how homes are powered, built, and lived in.
So, Why Are KBIS and IBS Taking Off?
Because the brands are.
Design is bolder. Technology is smarter. Execution is faster. The companies commanding attention are investing early, moving decisively, and betting big on experience.
KBIS and IBS have become the proving grounds for the future of design, innovation, and brand storytelling.
The Takeaway: Plan Now or Play Catch-Up Later
This isn’t just momentum, it’s measurable.
- Over 110,000+ attendees in 2025
- 2,400+ exhibitors across both shows
- 30+ product categories under one roof
- Representation from 100+ countries
These aren’t niche shows anymore, they’re the central stage for anyone serious about shaping the future of the built environment.
And the brands leading the charge? They’re not waiting. They’re investing early, moving fast, and locking in prime positions now, not later.
If you’re aiming to show up at KBIS or IBS with impact, the time to start isn’t “sometime this fall.” It’s now.
Because space is limited. Build timelines are real. And the brands that move first, win first.
Ready to get ahead? Let’s talk.
