At its annual planning meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., the National Kitchen & Bath Association forecast a brighter outlook than expected for 2008. It predicts both membership growth and growth in the remodeling industry, despite a volatile economy.

2008 NKBA President Sara Ann Busby announced the organization continues to enjoy steady growth in membership. “An increase in membership is a positive indicator of the NKBA’s strength in the professional education and other benefits we offer to our more than 41,000 members,” she said.

Busby also quoted a recently released study of more than 3,000 homeowners and industry professionals (conducted by Kitchen + Bath Business magazine) that points to modest growth in kitchen and bath remodeling in 2008, despite the flatness of new housing starts.

The group is anticipating the NKBA’s 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS®), April 10-13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Attendee registrations are continuing at the same pace has they have for the past two years. More than 900 exhibitors are scheduled to participate.

In other news, NKBA CEO Mike Kelly has stepped down “to continue to foster expansion of the association,” the group reported. Its executive committee is actively searching for Kelly’s replacement. No further management changes are anticipated at this time.