NKBA’s international business membership program will host editors from five countries to report on the latest developments in the North American K&B market.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
NKBA will host a dozen editors from Europe and South America on a guided KBIS experience as part of the International Media Tour in Orlando, FL, Feb. 16 to 19. It is the largest such tour ever organized by NKBA.
Journalists hailing from the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Brazil will attend KBIS 2026, which is owned by NKBA and is the largest and most comprehensive trade show in North America dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design and remodeling. The expo, held in the Orange County Convention Center, features a wide array of brands and manufacturers in the sector, as well as networking and educational opportunities.
Through the NKBA Global Connect international business membership program, editors will visit a curated selection of Global Connect exhibiting members and learn about North American brands, design directions, market trends, and business nuances throughout KBIS, so they can report to their home markets. Editors will attend sessions designed to help international companies explore a foray into the U.S. and Canada or strengthen and expand their opportunities in the region.
This exclusive NKBA program brings the global kitchen and bath community together through a vibrant exchange of information, market insights, product development, and go-to-market strategies to help international companies with business opportunities in the North American market.
Meet the Journalists on the International Media Tour:
• Javier Gómez, Editor in Chief, Cocina Integral, Spain. Javier is based in Barcelona and heads up the editorial team for the official media outlet of the Spanish Kitchen Manufacturers Association.
• Emma Hedges, Editor, KBB Focus, UK. Emma has logged more than 25 years covering design and interiors across a broad range of national newspapers, trade and consumer publications, specializing in the kitchens and bathrooms sector, including as former editor of Essential Kitchen & Bathroom Business magazine.
• Gabriele Mühlen, Editorial Director, möbel kultur, Germany. Gabriele brings more than two decades of experience in international media and brand development, including editor in chief positions and executive management roles at global outlets such as Bauer Media Group and Hubert Burda Media, and founded GMC Gabriele Mühlen Consult, where she advises brands, publishers, and associations on strategic communication, brand positioning, organizational leadership, and media transformation.
• Diane Larner, Founder, Kitchen Review & Bathroom Review, UK. Diane specializes in news, trends, and product innovation within the kitchen and bathroom industry and has extensive experience covering major international trade shows, including ISH Frankfurt and KBB Birmingham.
• Roberta Mutti, Editor in Chief, The Design Week Guide, Italy. Roberta is a journalist, author, and consultant whose work bridges the worlds of architecture, design, and media. She wrote the bilingual volume “Storia del Fuorisalone” (“History of Milan Design Week”), which traces the evolution of the iconic urban design event and the cultural
phenomenon of Milan’s creative industries, and currently leads The Design Week Guide dedicated to design-focused events around the world.
• Natalia Ramalho, Editor and Founder, The Luxe Resident, UK. The Luxe Resident is a global luxury publication dedicated to interior design, hospitality, and lifestyle. Natalia curates and produces editorial features that spotlight exceptional interiors, design innovation, and the brands and creatives shaping the future of luxury living.
• Antonia Pozo Comas, Journalist, IM Cocinas y Baños magazine; media coordinator for Publimas Digital publishing house, Spain. Antonia, based in Barcelona, currently serves as media coordinator for the publishing group, providing an overarching view of editorial operations and reinforcing the company’s commitment to high-quality, sector-driven communication in specialized business journalism.
• Martin Allen-Smith, Editor, Digital Savvy Media, Colchester, UK. Martin has been writing about kitchen and bathroom design for almost 20 years and oversees all editorial content of kitchen and bathroom design magazine designerati, runs the judging process for the annual designerati awards, and edits The Installer, a UK publication for K&B installation professionals.
• Matteo Lirosi, Journalist, FIRSTOnline, Italy. Matteo joined FIRSTOnline in 2021, initially focusing on social media management and digital communication, and now covers technology, innovation, cybersecurity, and current affairs, with a strong focus on their economic and strategic implications.
• Susanne Koglin, Editor in Chief, Moebelnews, Germany. Susanne has worked in advertising, as a business coach, and in B2B journalism throughout her career, covering the kitchen and furniture sectors for more than 20 years. She joined Moebelnews in 2016 as a freelancer and was named editor in chief in 2022.
• Laura Naito, Global Editor and reporter for Casa e Jardim, Brazil. Laura writes about art, architecture, decoration and design and is based in São Paulo, Brazil.
• Camila Santos, Assistant Design Editor, Casa Vogue, Brazil. Camila is a journalist specializing in digital communication and social media. She has been part of the Casa Vogue Brasil team for over five years, where she works as Assistant Design Editor, focusing on the production and curation of content related to the sector.
Global Connect programming includes daily presentations and discussions in the NKBA Booth (#S25058) in South Hall, international country-sponsored pavilions, spotlight presentations, and more. Learn more here.
About NKBA Global Connect
The NKBA Global Connect mission is to connect and grow the kitchen and bath industry around the world through an international membership program. The initiative equips international companies with the support and professional community access they need to thrive in North America by providing market intelligence, brand-positioning guidance, and connections to key North American audiences. By combining NKBA’s expert marketing execution with access to a diverse and influential member network, we help businesses increase visibility, build meaningful relationships, and generate strong market demand, ultimately accelerating their success in the lucrative and competitive $228 billion North American market.
