The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has announced that its Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) will now be fully virtual.
The in-person event that was scheduled to take place on February 9-11, 2021, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, has been cancelled. The show would have run alongside the International Builders’ Show (IBS), organised by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The NKBA says that the health and safety of the exhibitors, attendees, partners and employees remains is its top priority. The organisation is confident it will be able to host a live event in February 8-10, 2022 at the same venue.
The current coronavirus restrictions in Florida and the USA have imposed limitations on large gatherings and travelling. There are also company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies.
The international KBIS show will take place online during the second week in February and will offer interactive and immersive events. Registration will be free for all NKBA members.
The NKBA released a statement on its website saying: “The cancellation of the live event is due to continuing developments related to the Covid-19 pandemic, including current government restrictions and limitations on large gatherings imposed by states and other local government and public health authorities; the inability of KBIS’s international community to travel to the show due to quarantine requirements and travel bans; and the various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies.
“Despite cancelling our in-person February 2021 show, we are committed to keeping us all connected. As part of this commitment, we will be launching a virtual show and events platform during the second week of February that will offer interactive and immersive experiences for both exhibitors and attendees from wherever they are in the world.”