Darcy joined NKBA in 2006 and quickly rose to become CEO. In 2014, he orchestrated a collaboration with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), thus creating Design & Construction Week (DCW) — the co-located show that joined KBIS and NAHB’s International Builders’ Show. DCW is now one of the world’s largest, most comprehensive trade events, garnering more than 95,000 attendees annually.

Darcy has pioneered several cross-industry initiatives. To stem the severe skilled-labor shortage, he created NKBA’s NextUp program to build awareness and interest in kitchen and bath-related skilled trades. To that end, Darcy also sits on the Operating Committee of the Skilled Labor Fund. He established NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 program identifying future leaders; with the support of the NKBA Board, invested significantly in market research, including the NKBA/John Burns Kitchen & Bath Market Index to gauge industry health; launched a global outreach program; regularly appears on national business news TV and other media, and led the digital transformation of a mobile-first website, positioning NKBA as the industry’s international authority.

She has diverse knowledge of all kitchen & bath product categories, as well as the industry’s distribution and supply chain. Her comprehensive knowledge of the association model and governance stems from 10 years of service on the NKBA Board of Directors, including her role as 2009 NKBA President.

Since joining the NKBA in 2012, she oversees the Marketplace (which includes the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, KBIS, founding partner of Design & Construction Week), Governance and Leadership Communications sectors, where she plays a key role in volunteer communications and relations. She is also responsible for establishing domestic and international industry relationships in order expand the reach of NKBA as a brand in North America and abroad.

Kerrie is a Fellow, Board Member and Foundation Trustee of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID); Houzz Pro Advisory Board Member; and Member of National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). She is also an avid representative, speaker and on-air talent for Outdoor Living and Livable Design initiatives. Kerrie has authored two books: Home Decor: A Sunset Design Guide with Sunset Books and My Interior Design Kit, with Pearson Professional and Career Education.

One of the challenges in her successful design career was the lack of modern, euro-style cabinetry in the US, so she developed a series of sales/marketing collaborations with German manufacturers and added an import component to her thriving design firm.

Shortly after the launch of the new import company, the market crash put an end to new business development, and Veronika downsized to focus on existing clients and used “downtime” to rethink design marketing for a looming digital marketplace. The result of a year of development combined with her in depth knowledge of the design industry from a manufacturing, distribution, design and marketing perspective were Modenus.com, a sourcing platform, and Designhounds, a design influencer network, as well as M2 Connect, a brand consultancy that allows Veronika to gather goal-specific teams of consultants that work directly with brands on marketing, product development and designer/influencer outreach programs.

Veronika herself is a trusted partner to many agencies, manufacturers and trade shows who are looking for real results in terms of brand recognition, engagement and loyalty with leading influencers and specifiers, and for creative ideas and campaigns that help their brands rise above the fray.

Karen has worked for The Department for International Trade (formerly UKTI) for nearly 20 years assisting businesses in the North West to trade internationally.

With a keen interest in all sectors and especially the Creative Industries, Karen has helped companies gain funding and support to help them make the most of DITs trade missions and major international events.

DIT in conjunction with its delivery partners has support networks and programmes that help companies in all sectors to realise their potential overseas.

Through a range of unique services, including participation at selected industry events, outward missions and providing bespoke market intelligence, DIT can help you crack foreign markets and get to grips quickly with overseas regulations and business practice.

Whether you’re a seasoned exporter or just beginning to expand overseas, talking to DIT is one of the best moves your company can make.

Mercer has over 36 years of comprehensive experience in the plumbing product industry with increasing responsibility in product design, research and development, health, safety and product compliance. He possesses a working knowledge of a wide spectrum of manufacturing processes and testing requirements utilized in the manufacture of plumbing and filtration products. He also has a thorough knowledge of federal, state and local plumbing product installation requirements in the United States and Canada and has worked closely with Industry and various Government agencies throughout the development and implementation of both state and federal regulatory initiatives relating to water conservation and lead in drinking water. Prior to joining IAPMO, Mr. Mercer was the Director of Product Compliance with Moen Incorporated, where he finished with 30 years of service.

Mr. Mercer is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A112 Standards Committee on Plumbing Materials and Equipment and has also served on numerous plumbing product performance standard committees and task groups with ASME, the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE), CSA International, NSF International and IAPMO.

Mr. Mercer is a Past President and member of the board of directors for the Plumbing Manufacturers International and had served as chair of the Universal Conformity Assessment and Government Affairs Committees.