The show must go on, regardless of who owns the producer. That apparently is the case with the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. K/BIS is produced annually by Miller Freeman USA, which was acquired by Dutch publisher VNU in July and is being absorbed into its Bill Communications subsidiary.
"We do not anticipate any changes in K/BIS in 2001," said Todd Davis, vice president/Building Group at Miller Freeman. "It will be business as usual."
Preliminary space assignments reflect a 12% increase in exhibitors for 2001, he said, adding, "We expect to sell 12% to 15% more booth space than for last year."
K/BIS is continuing to grow, Davis told Supply House Times. "We're seeing more international exhibitors, such as from Italy, France and Asian countries."
The show is co-sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and Kitchen & Bath Business magazine.
The issue of trade show consolidation has been put on hold until other issues are resolved, Davis said. Last March, Miller Freeman had discussions on that topic with the partners of the North American Expo (Supply House Times, May, page 17).
"We're still hopeful," said Inge Calderon, executive vice president of the American Supply Association, one of the NEX partners. "It may be a while before the new owners are able to take stock of what is happening."
Davis is one of three Miller Freeman vice presidents remaining after the acquisition; 13 were laid off, he said. He reports directly to Mike Marchesano, president of VNU.
