The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) recently wrapped up in Las Vegas, bringing together a diverse mix of international and domestic companies showcasing everything from tile flooring and stone sinks to cabinetry and innovative kitchen and bath solutions. This event serves as a key marketplace for construction professionals, contractors, and designers seeking the latest trends and products.
Team Xibeo was on-site for our client, Borrowed Earth, installing their 20×20 peninsula booth. While the installation itself went smoothly, the experience was a reminder that at trade shows, if something can go wrong, it probably will—which is why preparation, awareness, and expertise are critical to a successful show.
Key Takeaways from KBIS 2025: What Every Exhibitor Should Know
1. Know the Rules – Or Pay the Price
During setup, we noticed that the booth behind our client had an exposed, open frame on their interior walls, which goes against show regulations. A common but costly mistake, this required immediate covering—at the exhibitor’s expense.
💡 Pro Tip: Any wall over 8’ that faces another booth must be finished on the exposed side. Otherwise, the show management will cover it for you—and send you the bill.
2. Keep Track of Your Booth Components
As we wrapped up the installation, a final piece of our client’s counter went missing. After 15 minutes of searching, we found it in a neighboring booth—being used as a step stool!
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re building your booth yourself, always pack a 6’ ladder or step stool. Not only will it help with setup, but it’ll also keep you from borrowing—or having your items “borrowed” by someone else.
3. Understand Your Booth Space Before You Commit
One of the biggest challenges our client faced at KBIS was a 3’x3’ structural column positioned directly in front of their booth. Unfortunately, they hadn’t noticed it when selecting their location. While Xibeo was able to adjust the lighting to minimize the impact, the placement still created an unexpected visual obstacle.
💡 Pro Tip: Before reserving booth space, always have an exhibit expert review your floor plan. Hidden structural elements like columns, fire extinguishers, or utility panels can significantly impact your booth’s design and visibility.
Creating a Booth That Stands Out at KBIS
Despite these minor challenges, Borrowed Earth had a highly successful show, generating strong leads and receiving praise for their exhibit.
Their modular laminate wall rental booth (Camlok system) was designed to support heavy tile samples while maintaining a sleek, modern look. The final exhibit featured:
✔ Large SEG fabric graphics for a high-end, seamless presentation
✔ Vinyl decals to highlight product features
✔ Custom-built raw wood counters and light supports, stained with a clear varnish to enhance the natural wood grain
✔ Custom lighting solutions, designed by Xibeo, that mimicked $280-per-fixture designer lighting—at a fraction of the cost
This collaboration between Borrowed Earth’s vision and Xibeo’s execution resulted in a stunning, functional booth that exceeded expectations.
Final Thoughts: Why Experience Matters
Trade shows are an investment and attention to detail can make or break your experience. From booth regulations to strategic floor plan selection, having an experienced partner like Xibeo ensures that potential obstacles are identified—and solved—before they become problems.
Ready to plan your next trade show exhibit? Let’s talk about how we can help create a stress-free, standout exhibit that makes an impact.
Contact Us Today to start planning your next show!
