Submissions for Voices from the Industry Conference sessions at KBIS 2022 open April 5.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

NKBA is looking for the best and the brightest K&B and business experts to present at its highly regarded Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS 2022, Feb. 8-10, in Orlando.

The submission process opens April 5, and NKBA is accepting proposals for the following  formats:

  • 1-hour Presentations: Mainly lecture format, presentation/class, Q&A at end of session.
  • 1.5-hour Workshops: Interactive experience, activities, Q&A during session.

This outstanding program is looking for great content, advanced topics and ideas. New speakers are encouraged to submit, as well as speakers who have had success at previous shows. It’s terrific exposure for your company, and a great opportunity to get your brand or service in front of highly qualified industry leaders and students — the next generation of K&B leaders.

The conference will feature more than 50 sessions on industry-relevant topics in six categories:

  • Grow Your Business: Build relationships and offer product or service solutions that meet customers’ needs. Analyze and prioritize your sales activities to increase market share, grow current accounts and develop new customers.
  • Kitchen & Bath Specialty Training: For specialized areas such as plumbing, lighting, cabinetry or appliances.
  • Design: Find creative design solutions to common or new space challenges. Design and plan safe and effective kitchens and bathrooms based on the latest industry standards.
  • Management: Achieve positive business results by managing your resources. Control risk by aligning finance, organizational structure and marketing initiatives to your business goals.
  • Customer Service: Deliver exceptional customer service; Build internal and external mechanisms to continuously improve your customer’s experience.
  • Building & Remodeling: Resources, before-and-after, trends, specialized markets, decision making, budgets, codes, processes and additions.

Presenters derive almost as much from the sessions as attendees.

“What gets you excited about what you do? What are you really, really good at? That’s what you should try teaching others, who may not have those skills,” said frequent VFTI Instructor Doug Walter, AKBD, AIA, principal of Doug Walter Architects and an architect and lighting expert. “I am passionate about spreading the word about good lighting. Being chosen as a speaker will up your reputation with your fellow designers and more importantly your clients, whom you will let know that you are a speaker at a national trade show, KBIS!”

All VFTI sessions qualify for Continuing Education Unit credits, which are necessary to maintain NKBA design certification. Additionally, VFTI presenters who hold an NKBA certification will earn .3 CEU credits per session.

All applications are due by June 5, and selected applicants will be notified by June 30, 2021.  VFTI presenters receive a complimentary VIP registration package to KBIS, including a show floor pass, VFTI Full Conference pass, a ticket to the Design Competition Awards & Opening Party and a Bash ticket, all valued at over $400. You may have a co-presenter, however, only one complimentary pass package will be issued. The co-presenter must be listed on your submission form for their name to be listed as a speaker.

VFTI represents an opportunity to share expertise on topics of interest to the industry, catering to a wide array of professionals, from designers, architects, craftspeople and remodelers to manufacturers, retailers, sales reps, educators and business executives. Being a VFTI speaker builds credibility in the industry  and provides invaluable exposure for you, your company and brand to an engaged audience — and it’s also a great way to give back to the industry at large.

For more information, click here, or email questions to vfti@nkba.org.