Applications are now officially open for the second year of Innovation Hour at the upcoming Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), setting the stage for another dynamic showcase of cutting-edge design and advanced product engineering. Designed to put creativity firmly at the forefront, the fast-paced program encourages exhibitors to step away from traditional presentation methods and present their latest products in unexpected, highly engaging formats that go far beyond a standard slide deck.
The announcement opens the door for all eligible KBIS 2027 exhibitors to throw their hats into the ring for a chance to participate in one of the show’s most anticipated live events. Selected brands will each be given a unique opportunity to deliver a fast-moving, five-minute moderated presentation to a live audience gathered at the KBIS NEXTStage, which serves as the official destination for all show education and design programming.
Unlike traditional product launches that rely on static displays or lengthy corporate speeches, Innovation Hour requires presenting brands to command the attention of the room swiftly and creatively. Following the conclusion of all scheduled presentations, the audience—comprising professional designers, media members, industry influencers, and key trade professionals—will cast their votes to determine the winners across three distinct categories: “Most Innovative,” “Most Unexpected,” and “I’d Spec That Tomorrow.”
This interactive live-voting format provides participating brands with immediate, real-time feedback directly from the industry demographic they most want to reach and influence. For exhibitors, the session serves as both a high-visibility marketing platform and a valuable litmus test for how new materials, technologies, and appliances will land with the professional design community.
The program first made its debut at KBIS 2026, where it successfully launched with a competitive lineup of nine presenting brands and generated more than 200 live audience votes. The inaugural event proved to be a major highlight of the show floor, capturing the attention of attendees looking for the next big shift in kitchen and bath design.
During that inaugural session, Caesarstone captured the “Most Innovative” category title for Caesarstone ICON, a sustainable advanced fusion surface that resonated deeply with eco-conscious attendees and specifiers. Meanwhile, the title for “Most Unexpected” was awarded to MAGPPIE Silverstone, a silver-infused technical stone engineered specifically to serve as a high-performance replacement for traditional wood in kitchen cabinetry. Rounding out the winners, LG took home the prize for “I’d Spec That Tomorrow” thanks to its LG SIGNATURE Counter-Depth French-Door Refrigerator with Thin Door Design, an appliance celebrated for its innovative Zero Clearance hinges that allow both doors to open fully even when installed in tight, space-constrained kitchen layouts.
Reflecting on the impact of the inaugural program, representatives from the winning brands emphasized the value of the platform. Nicole Miller, director of program and product strategy at Caesarstone, noted that the event provided an exceptional vehicle for introducing their latest material innovations to key industry stakeholders.
“We at Caesarstone found Innovation Hour to be a powerful platform to showcase Caesarstone ICON,” said Miller. “Being recognized as ‘Most Innovative’ was a meaningful validation of how strongly our ICON surfaces and sustainability messaging resonated with the audience.”
With the bar set high by the success of the 2026 debut, anticipation is already building for the second iteration of the showcase at KBIS 2027. All current KBIS 2027 exhibitors are eligible to submit applications for consideration. The application window is open now, and interested brands must submit their application materials through the designated online portal by December 4, 2026.
Organizers have announced that selected brands will be notified of their acceptance by January 2027, giving them ample time to craft their fast-paced, high-impact presentations. The live Innovation Hour session will take place on the NEXTStage at KBIS on February 2, 2027, beginning at 12 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The winners for each of the three coveted categories will be officially announced to the public at the close of the session.
