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US NKBA President Mark Karas announces goals for 2010

The newly-elected president of the US National Kitchen & Bath Association, Mark L. Karas, CMKBD, has stated four areas for the NKBA to focus its efforts in 2010 to empower the association's members to make the most of a recovering kitchen and bath market.

1. Education and Certification - Mark's first goal for the association is to expand the NKBA's renowned educational offerings to provide opportunities for professionals involved in all aspects of the kitchen and bath industry, such as design, sales, installation, and remodeling, among many others. The NKBA will also work toward adding certifications and/or certificate programmes, which currently include design and installation, to reach the entire industry. "I'm so proud to be an NKBA-certified designer, and I'd like for professionals in all segments of the industry to have the opportunity to distinguish themselves by earning NKBA certifications or certificates," said Mark.

2. Consumer Awareness - "The NKBA is well known among professionals involved in the kitchen and bath industry," Mark explained. "Now we'd like for consumers to become more familiar with what the National Kitchen & Bath Association is, the valuable resources we provide to them, and why hiring or purchasing from NKBA members is so important." The NKBA plans to achieve greater awareness among homeowners across the US and Canada through advertising, public relations initiatives, and the grass-roots efforts of members.

3. Member Communication - Job postings, interns, publications, events, discounts, consumer leads, and marketing opportunities are just a few of the many benefits of NKBA membership. In 2010, the association will increase its efforts to communicate those benefits to members. "The NKBA offers so many outstanding programmes and services that sometimes even the most active members don't know about all of them," reported Mark. The NKBA will launch more efficient communication, such as the upcoming MyNKBA, a customisable web portal that's personalised according to each member's local area and industry segment. MyNKBA will update members on the latest offerings without the need for frequent e-mail and newsletter updates.

4. Volunteer Leadership - "Chapter officers, industry segment advisory council members, and other volunteer leaders are the engine that drives the NKBA," said Mark. In 2010, the association will strengthen its message to encourage members to become leaders on the local and national levels, and then work with those leaders to make full use of their skills and expertise to serve the NKBA membership.

The NKBA is a non-profit trade association with nearly 40,000 members that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, an extensive glossary of remodeling terms, and illustrations and explanations of planning guidelines. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and order the free NKBA Kitchen & Bath Workbook.

T: Annette Gray (800) THE-NKBA, ext. 3773
E: [email protected]
W: www.nkba.org

12th February 2010