New NKBA president states 2010 goals

Mark L. Karas, the newly-elected president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, has pinpointed four areas for the trade group 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: Karas' first goal for the association is to expand the NKBA's 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 programs, which currently include design and installation, to reach the entire industry.

2. Consumer awareness: "The NKBA is well-known among professionals involved in the kitchen and bath industry," Karas says. "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 United States and Canada through advertising, public relations initiatives and the grassroots 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 programs and services that sometimes even the most active members don't know about all of them," Karas says. The NKBA will launch more efficient communication, such as the upcoming MyNKBA, a customizable web portal that's personalized 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," Karas says. In 2010, the association will strengthen its message to encourage members to become leaders on the local and national levels and work with those leaders to make full use of their skills and expertise to serve the NKBA membership.

For information, visit www.nkba.org.