ALPHARETTA, GA -- The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) continues to innovate KBIS Connect, a free online community designed to facilitate pre-show planning and increase networking opportunities both at and after the show between exhibitors, attendees and their customers and prospects.

As part of the KBIS Connect platform, exhibitors can upload product images, logos, press materials and special events to KBIS Connect for others to browse. A complementary matchmaking feature allows exhibitors and attendees to find and connect with others sharing similar industry interests. Once users fill out their individual profiles and select the products and services that they are interested in, KBIS Connect will assist in suggesting exhibitor and attendee matches. KBIS Connect also stores complete profiles of all attendees and exhibitors for users to browse, schedule appointments and connect with -- all with a few clicks of the mouse. Much like familiar social networks, users can add someone to their community of interest by sending a connect request to begin communication. Some additional community features include:

· A dashboard hosting key information such as recent exhibitor and attendee matches, new products added to KBIS Connect, special events, a show announcements feed, messages and more

· Ability to upload a profile image

· Opportunity to create blog posts sharing company news, exciting product reveals, innovations and more; as well as read blogs from others in the community

· Request connections, including those suggested by KBIS Connect

· Message all your connections at one time or send individual private messages

· Write on your connections' profile walls

Central to KBIS Connect is the interactive planner in which all exhibitors and attendees can plan their show experience online, while having the option to export or print out all key information. KBIS Connect users can search and add products, people or seminars into their planner, while exploring the interactive show floor map. Also, the KBIS Connect interactive map allows users to schedule appointments or add booths of interest to their planner. KBIS will soon unveil a new and improved interactive smartphone application that will sync with the Connect platform, allowing the swift exchange of real-time information, including show and social media updates.

"KBIS Connect enables us to make the show experience even more valuable to our wide variety of attendees and exhibitors," said Jim Scott, Managing Director of the show. "Our exhibitors have asked for a way to maintain a relationship with the people they talk with during the show. As more show exhibitors and attendees utilize KBIS Connect, the site will develop into an enriched community that offers value during and after the show. In addition, KBIS Connect also allows the exhibitor to gain a better understanding of the audience and communicate with them more efficiently by providing each audience with information they need to be more successful in the market."