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2010 NKBA conference and awards
maybe the best ever
Rhythm Interactive opened the conference
with their high-energy percussion show
and the 152 delegates at the Millennium Hotel
in Queenstown for the 2010 NKBA Conference
and Awards Event joined in with the drums
provided. A “happy hour” at the trade display
area set the scene for the raucous and hilarious
“hillbilly hoedown” at a mystery destination
- great food and “guest hillbillies”
The fi rst night was followed by the sophisticated
Gala Awards Dinner, marking the 27th awards
year and attended by about 200 delegates and
partners. The National Kitchen & Bathroom
Association (NKBA) Design Awards recognises
excellence in the fi eld of kitchen and bathroom
design, and is celebrating its 27th year, making
it the longest running awards in this specialty
in the country.
Lloyd Richardson of Lloyds Joinery took out the
top prize of Best Kitchen Design Award. Judges
commended his kitchen by saying: “This bold
kitchen sits beautifully into the architecture of
the building. Its perfect symmetry, beautiful
workmanship and stunning lighting are a treat
for the senses.”(Pictured in this magazine and
Kitchen Trends V26 No10). Marianne Gailer,
My Kitchen Ltd, won Best Bathroom Design
(See Bathroom Trends October).
JOINERS Magazine September 2010 page 20
For the fi rst time in 2010, the awards included
the Smeg People’s Choice Award. Open to a
global audience through www.trendsideas.
com, more than 1300 people cast their votes.
Nicola Chan of bespoke on khyber was named
inaugural Smeg People’s Choice Award winner,
for her kitchen design.
The awards included regional winners for
Kitchens and Bathrooms, a creative excellence
awards for the most innovative Kitchen and
Bathroom, ‘Best Use of Small Space Design’
sponsored by JITO, the ‘Best Use Of Colour’,
‘Best Kitchen Under $15,000’ and the CDS
Best Kitchen or Bathroom Design, sponsored
by Hettich. Also announced was the winner of
the 2010 Student Design Challenge, won by
Denise Piper-Smith. Marianne Boonan won
the Judy Bark Most Promising Student Award,
judged by the NKBA and Joinery Industry
Training Organisation (JITO).
The weather for the whole weekend was perfect
and the trip up the gondola to the Skyline
Restaurant venue for breakfast was a great
opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery.
The conference agenda was a balance of
fun, networking, high-quality trade displays
and presentations. There was a great variety
Best Kitchen Design Award by Lloyd Richardson of Llyods Joinery.
of speakers and entertainment - something
for everyone and we have received fantastic
feedback. Speakers included Trends publisher
David Johnson, architectural products
and lighting importer Andrea Gambacorti
(GINEICO), local Architectural Designer
Marc Scaife, Designer Ingrid Geldof, Image
Consultant Lesley Telfer-Morel and sexpert
Dr Michelle Mars.
Out-going NKBA President Kevin Belz used
his career and business ownership experience
to provide very useful strategies for confl ict
resolution with the predominant key being
“deal with it quickly – as the manager, deal
with it personally”
Keeping the conference and all the events on
time, with an extensive and humorous array of
alter egos, was hyperactive MC, Patrick Duffy.
When everyone gathered for a “hangover
brunch” on a relaxed fi nal half-day, delegates
were still buzzing about the previous two days.
This conference content has set the standard
for future years but the beautiful Queenstown
destination, with the snow and brilliant blue
sky will never be beaten.
Julie Austin
Executive Offi cer NKBA