National Kitchen & Bath Association history

The first AIKD Kitchen Show drew approximately 24 exhibitors and 250 attendees to Philadelphia in 1964.

The organization sponsored its first independent trade show and convention in New York in 1965, attracting 1473 people representing 361 retailers and 128 manufacturers and distributors.

The group merged with the National Kitchen Distributors Association in 1966.

In 1972, the group began collaborating with the University of Illinois Small Homes Council to develop technical manuals for the industry. It began certifying kitchen designers in 1968.

In 1972, the group began collaborating with the University of Illinois Small Homes Council to develop technical manuals for the industry.

In 1973, show management was turned over to the trade show division of Gralla Publications, which at the time, published Kitchen & Bath Business magazine.

The group formed its first Canadian chapter in 1977.

In 1978, it began offering a week long business management training program in cooperation with the University of Notre Dame.

In 1981, the AIKD Kitchen Show changed its name to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). That show, initially a very small gathering, has grown to be the centerpiece of North America’s kitchen and bath industry.

The name was changed to the National Kitchen & Bath Association in 1983.

In 1987, the NKBA partnered with Auburn University to create its first accredited college program, and Ed Yeargan received the first Bachelor of Science degree in Kitchen and Bath Design the following year.

Martha Kerr became the first CBD in 1989.

The Association’s 31 Kitchen Guidelines and 27 Bathroom Guidelines are revised in 1992, reflecting the current industry environment, future trends, consumer lifestyles, new research, new building codes and current industry practices.

NKBA began an ambitious lead generation program for its members in 1995 and offered its first consumer planners.

Dennis started with our company in 2002.

In 2006, NKBA completely revamped its existing manuals and , created a full-color Professional Resource Library.

In 2011, she graduated from design school with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design.

The Kitchen & Bath Career Center (KitchenAndBathCareerCenter.com) was created in 2012 and serves as the premier electronic recruitment resource for the industry.

Since 2014, the show has been held in conjunction with the International Builders’ Show (IBS), sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Other construction-related trade shows are held at the same time, and the coordinated events are called Design & Construction Week.

Caitlin joined our team in 2018.