The annual award, said the Bethlehem, PA-based NKBA, celebrates instructors, professors, and program leaders who demonstrate excellence in teaching, mentorship, and industry impact, and “highlights the critical role instructors play in shaping the future of the kitchen and bath industry.”

Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to educating future kitchen and bath professionals, innovation in curriculum or teaching methods, engagement with students and the broader NKBA community, and a dedication to advancing the profession the NKBA said. The deadline to submit a nomination is Nov. 7.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.nkba.org.

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The announcement also marks the opening of submissions for the 2026 Coverings “Installation & Design (CID) Awards,” as well as for nominations for the Coverings 2026 Rock Star program, show officials said.

“Las Vegas is a city defined by bold, forward-thinking design and unforgettable experiences,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings’ managing director. “It’s the ideal backdrop to unite the global tile and stone community, showcase innovative trends from around the world, and celebrate the industry’s most inspiring projects and talented professionals through the CID Awards and Rock Star program.”

Information about the trade show and awards program can be obtained by visiting www.coverings.com.

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The legislation, recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, contains provisions aimed at addressing the state’s housing affordability crisis and easing the frustrations of Los Angeles residents who have been seeking building permits after losing their homes in wildfires earlier this year.

According to the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), the legislation prevents California from considering, approving, or adopting any changes to residential building codes until June 1, 2031, except in emergency situations or in the case of wildfire mitigation. The bill further prevents local municipalities from amending their code during the same period.

“This is a huge win for us, and for home buyers and renters in the state,” said Chris Ochoa, CBIA’s senior counsel for codes. “It remains to be seen if these provisions can be expanded to other states, but California’s change of direction on building codes and permit reviews can be seen as a sign that anything is possible if there’s political will.”

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The adjacent spaces are located on the first floor of historic Broad Hall, and connect to an expansive outdoor space, according to the NKBA.

“A standout destination for designers, both spaces embody the evolution of kitchen and bath into whole-home design, displaying the latest product innovations and hosting inspiring programming,” said the NKBA, whose new design hub brings together prominent bath, appliance, lighting, and indoor/outdoor kitchen brands in full-scale vignettes. Sponsor brands include Kichler Lighting, James Martin Vanities, Ferguson Home, Sherwin-Williams, Fabuwood, BlueStar, Signature Hardware, Miele, Urban Bonfire and FreePower, the NKBA said.

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Weber brings more than 25 years of experience in workforce development, strategic planning, and operational leadership, ISFA said. “Her career reflects a deep commitment to ethics, equity, and innovation – qualities that align with ISFA’s forward-thinking mission to serve and elevate the decorative surface industry.”

Weber succeeds Marissa Bankert, “who led the organization with integrity and dedication,” said ISFA, expressing “its sincere appreciation to Bankert for her outstanding service and leadership during her tenure.”

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The investment, said the Haier Group Corp. subsidiary, positions GE Appliances to become the biggest American clothes washer manufacturer, and builds on the company’s 10-year, $3.5 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing. The new manufacturing lines will open in 2027, the company said.

“We’re bringing laundry production to our global headquarters in Louisville because manufacturing in the U.S. is fundamental to our ‘zero-distance’ business strategy to make appliances as close as possible to our customers and consumers,” said Kevin Nolan, president & CEO, GE Appliances. “This decision is our most recent product reshoring, and aligns with the current economic and policy environment.”

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AHAM’s lawsuit, according to the Washington, DC-based trade association, seeks an emergency injunction to prevent the implementation of Colorado House Bill 25-1161, a law that “violates the First Amendment by singling out gas stoves, compelling retailers and manufacturers to warn consumers of alleged ‘health risks’ and ‘health impacts’ that have not been proven.”

“The overwhelming majority of available health research shows there is no association between gas stoves and adverse health outcomes, and – most critically – when evaluated collectively, fails to demonstrate causation,” AHAM said. “Indeed, the vast majority of studies conclude that the potential health risks of cooking with gas are no different than cooking with electricity.

“Because the alleged health risks from using gas stoves are not supported by scientific consensus, the law violates the First Amendment’s protection against compelled speech.”

Absent the injunction AHAM seeks in its lawsuit, Colorado’s new law “would force retailers and manufacturers to stigmatize their own products by presenting consumers with biased and misleading information promoting only a minority scientific position,” AHAM said. “If allowed to stand, Colorado’s law would set a dangerous precedent for compelled speech in consumer labeling, opening the door to other product labeling requirements that are not supported by scientific consensus and sowing further consumer confusion.”

According to AHAM, no study has found that gas stoves cause respiratory health issues, “and imposing a mandatory warning based on unsettled science misleads consumers, stigmatizes safe products, and undermines the principles of free speech and fair commerce.”

AHAM remains committed to providing consumers with accurate, unbiased, science-based information and education to enhance the safe and proper use of home appliances, the association added. “Colorado’s new labeling requirement is a misguided effort to address unproven hazards. Requiring retailers and manufacturers to present inaccurate and incomplete information is likely to lead to consumer confusion, questions and unintended consequences.”

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According to the Bethlehem, PA-based NKBA, which owns the annual trade show and educational conference, the three-day event will be staged across more than 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center. The return to Orlando will mark the first East Coast KBIS since 2022.

The show, the largest annual trade event in North America, will once again be co-located with the NAHB International Builders Show (IBS), together comprising the annual Design & Construction Week.

Additional information, including registration guidelines, can be obtained by visiting www.nkba.org.

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The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close early next year, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and customary closing conditions, officials said.

Upon completion of the transaction, American Woodmark will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MasterBrand, with the combined company, to be known as MasterBrand, headquartered at MasterBrand’s current location in Beachwood, OH.

“Bringing together MasterBrand and American Woodmark will be a transformative step for both of our organizations that will even better position us to serve the evolving needs of our customers and provide consumers with more choice and access,” said Dave Banyard, president and CEO of MasterBrand.

“MasterBrand and American Woodmark bring unique but complementary strengths – strong and broad portfolios and streamlined low-cost manufacturing profiles – and in leveraging them, the combination will help us accelerate our strategies and create enhanced value for both companies’ shareholders,” Banyard added.

MasterBrand, the largest manufacturer of residential cabinets in North America, offers an expansive portfolio of brands across a broad price spectrum, including Dura Supreme, KitchenCraft, Aristokraft, Omega, Bertch, Decora, Diamond and HomeCrest.

American Woodmark, which offers more than a dozen brands, is one of the nation’s largest cabinet suppliers.

“MasterBrand and American Woodmark will maintain a commitment to growing each company’s legacy brands,” Banyard said. “Channel partners are expected to benefit from greater flexibility as to where and how they purchase, and enhanced value through more sophisticated support and marketing capabilities.”

Combining the talent and resources of both MasterBrand and American Woodmark is also expected to enable increased investment in growth, automation and technology to drive further efficiencies and enhance the customer experience.”

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