by HIGH POINT — The National Kitchen & Bath Association, the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry and owner of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, announced a strategic alliance with the High Point Market Authority, the official sponsor and organizer of High Point Market, the world’s largest home furnishings trade show held every April and October in High Point.
Officials said the partnership “marks a convergence of the kitchen and bath sector with the furnishings industry, expanding both organizations’ influence among the design community and growing focus on the whole home.”
“Our partnership with High Point Market Authority represents a powerful alignment between two organizations committed to inspiring, empowering and supporting the interior design community,” said Bill Darcy, global president and chief executive officer of NKBA | KBIS. “At NKBA, we’ve seen kitchen and bath design trends expand their influence across the entire home, driving new ideas and inspiration for the broader interiors industry. Through this alliance with High Point Market Authority, we’re excited to share NKBA’s unique brand experiences, educational resources and foster business-driving connections that add value to the
design community as a whole.”
“High Point Market is the platform by which the future of our industry is tested, tried and solidified,” said Tammy Covington, president and chief executive officer of High Point Market Authority. “It’s where the principals connect and the change-makers push. It is a biannual convergence of the best and brightest in our industry. The conversations that happen here lay the groundwork for the years ahead. There have always been elements of kitchen and bath here in High Point, but this alliance with NKBA will allow us to bring it forward, to highlight it and to serve the industry in new and exciting ways.”
The NKBA had its first appearance at High Point Market in 2018 when it offered members a day-and-a-half-long event blending market tours with conference-style education. They returned again last October with “The Tent,” which played host to educational programming led by kitchen and bath designers and manufacturers.
“In partnership with HPMA, the two united in NKBA’s mission to deliver cutting-edge trend analysis, valuable educational resources and innovative product showcases — all aimed at empowering designers and their businesses to thrive.”
Most recently at the April market, NKBA hosted a panel at The Point with leading designers Michel Smith Boyd and Sharon Sherman discussing emerging trends in kitchen and bath design. As the kitchen opens up to the whole home and bath spaces expand, sharing industry knowledge is critical to supporting designers both well-versed in and new to kitchen and bath design, the organization said.
“As the owner of an interdisciplinary design firm, I understand the importance of integrating kitchen and bath into the High Point conversation,” said Christi Barbour, chair of the High Point Market Authority’s board of directors and founder and partner of Barbour Spangle Design. “Designers have long looked to High Point for education, inspiration and innovative products. Having NKBA here to spotlight the opportunities in the kitchen and bath space — and to connect designers with new brands and partners — is both exciting and a natural evolution of what High Point offers to our design community.”
Kerrie Kelly, vice chair of the board for NKBA and CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, added, “Designers today are shaping experiences across the entire home, and that holistic view demands collaboration between all facets of the industry. NKBA’s partnership with High Point Market Authority underscores the association’s commitment to helping designers navigate new opportunities in kitchen, bath and beyond — bringing inspiration, innovation and valuable connections to the forefront at every turn.”
By solidifying a long-term partnership, officials said that NKBA and HPMA “combine forces for the overall success of the design industry. Together, they offer unique educational programs, inspire innovation and deliver on the goal to ensure support for the design community throughout the whole home. As part of the partnership, NKBA will offer its valuable research and expertise to the design community at High Point Market with an expanded presence at fall market.”
“We’re proud to bring our partnership with High Point Market Authority to life at the upcoming fall market to highlight new and exciting brands through elevated, immersive experiences,” said Heather Shannon, senior vice president of marketing and communications, NKBA | KBIS. “I look forward to reconnecting with and reaching new designers through our activations that showcase the latest innovations and inspiration for the home, rooted in kitchen and bath, but expanding well beyond.”
