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Creativity and inspiration were the buzzwords among the 400 attendees at the Luxury Products Group (LPG) annual LPG EXPO in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early April. LPG celebrated a year of exponential growth, expanding its membership and exceptional brand partners. The showroom representatives, vendors, and kitchen and bath designers experienced valuable networking, educational sessions, and innovative products at the EXPO. LPG bestowed three prestigious awards: Showroom of the Year, Vendor of the Year, and the Spirit Award.

LPG Executive Director Jeff MacDowell announced 30% year-over-year growth through new members and vendors. During his member address, MacDowell emphasized the vitality of the plumbing industry.

"As I look out at all of you, I am reminded of how many people depend on us— on you, on me and on the decisions we make together," he said. "First and foremost, my wife depends on me to help support our home. Just like many of you, family is a driving force behind what I do. Then, there’s my incredible team at LPG, who count on me to make sure that we’re constantly improving, evolving, and giving our best to all of you."

MacDowell added that the LPG vendors depend on him to facilitate productivity and mutually beneficial relationships. "And to our vendors—who are, let’s be honest, our real customers—it’s my job to make sure that our members come to Expo, meet with you, buy your products, and support the markets alongside you as true partners."

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was — of course — a topic analyzed during LPG’s annual event. MacDowell’s advice to members is to "be careful of AI, but be sure to use it."

"Ai is not a trend, it is a necessity to use in your business right now. Proceed with caution but please proceed," he said.

The retail environment is constantly evolving, and customers today want more than just products—they want an experience. They want to feel like they’re being taken care of by experts who understand their needs and desires. This is where we have a unique opportunity.

MacDowell emphasized that understanding trends and harnessing expertise is more important than ever, as customers are inundated with information, coming in with more knowledge than ever before realize.

"What sets us apart is the depth of expertise we can offer. We need to provide value beyond the product itself — whether it’s design advice, technical knowledge, or simply guiding them through the overwhelming number of choices they face," he said. "The retail environment is constantly evolving, and customers today want more than just products—they want an experience. They want to feel like they’re being taken care of by experts who understand their needs and desires. This is where we have a unique opportunity."

With so much data to sift through and the challenge of adapting to an ever-changing landscape, MacDowell reminded members to never lose sight of what is truly important — maintaining a stellar showroom. He spoke about LPG’s exclusive rendering service, which gives members the ability to create showrooms that are not just functional, but beautiful and compelling spaces. According to MacDowell, using this service and LPG best practice displays can save showrooms that plan to remodel or build a new location thousands of dollars.

"Your showroom is the face of your business — the place where customers decide whether they want to work with you," he said. "The number one priority for any business is investing in your team. Pay them well, treat them as professionals, and bring them to events like this expo where they can step away from the day-to-day grind and immerse themselves in learning, networking and growth. This year, you will have to make hard management decisions, so choose your teammates wisely, and invest in your showroom experience."

LPG Expo 2025 Awards

Showroom of the Year

Artistic Hardware in Northfield, NJ, earned recognition as the esteemed "LPG Showroom of the Year." Owner Pat McCarthy accepted the award, which is given to a member with exceptional growth in both volume and number of vendor partners. According to MacDowell, the Artistic Hardware showroom was a clear winner in 2025.

LPG Spirit Award

Amelia Kittson, executive vice president at KIE Supply, received the Spirit award, which recognizes the "person of the year" for Luxury Products Group. This award identifies the individual who goes above and beyond in supporting LPG's efforts and mission. Kittson is a member of the LPG Board, and she tirelessly supports the growth of the group's lighting category.

Vendor of the Year

LPG awarded the cherished 2025 "Vendor of the Year" award to GRAFF Designs. Brian Gallop and Erica Lynn accepted the award at the EXPO. MacDowell says that GRAFF is a valued LPG partner and earned the recognition due to its commitment to growth and strong communication within the group.