Whirlpool Pulls the Plug on KBIS?: Exclusive

We have received a tip that Whirlpool and all of its brands are backing out of KBIS in 2007.  There is no confirmation yet but what could their defense be of such a decision?

• The Henry Ford Defense:  "As the largest appliance maker in the world, you can have any appliance you want as long as its white.  The rest of you can suck lint."
• The Alfred E. Newman Defense:  Management ...... not terribly bright.
• The Best Offense Defense:  "We hate KBIS"
• The Alka Seltzer Defense:  "I can't believe I ate the whole thing.....after seeing the Maytag books, we need to cut the budget"

Perhaps (if true) it's a combination.
January 15:  It's CONFIRMED.  Whirlpool is out of KBIS.  The Whirlpool memo we have "claims" that they want to focus on regional shows, but they are staying in the National Builder's Show and Remodeler's Show...so we see this as a very specific cancellation of KBIS as opposed to a launch of some new "regional" strategy.
ADVISOR ADVICE:  Maybe the savings are worth their absence from KBIS, but couldn't Whirlpool have had it both ways?  Whirlpool is a mass market line, and probably their trade customers are more focused on the money than the new blue knobs on the dryers.  They could have reduced their floor space by 70%, replaced the appliances with plush couches, a wet bar, and lovely waitresses serving deviled eggs and Swedish meatballs.  A casual setting for Whirlpool to show the love to their best customers, mapping out the coming strategy, while still waving the Whirlpool flag in enemy territory.  
As opposed to what we have now which is more of a retreat.