NKBA is participating in several events at the design conference, Oct. 27 and 28. By Dianne M. Pogoda
Design Chicago, the Midwest’s biggest residential design conference, features an array of presentations and panels on trends, products and collections, plus open houses at leading showrooms in the Merchandise Mart. NKBA will present design trends presentations and host its inaugural “Favorite Finds” program during the two-day event, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 27 and 28.
The conference features more than 50 educational sessions and events at showrooms throughout the Mart. At 8 a.m. on Wednesday, NKBA EVP & CSO Suzie Williford will host an invitation-only VIP breakfast for members of NKBA’s Chicago Mid West Chapter at the Monogram showroom.
At 10 a.m., the NKBA will launch its Favorite Finds program in the South Lobby. The program aims to engage NKBA’s regional chapters on a national level, giving chapter members a voice at regional events with the support of NKBA National. Chapter members will select their favorite products in five categories — Appliances, Decorative Plumbing, Surfaces, Cabinetry and Lighting/Tech — throughout the Mart. The five products receiving the most votes will be honored at a breakfast hosted by Williford Thursday at 10 a.m., in the Middleby showroom. Winners will be featured in NKBA social media and on a landing page at nkba.org.
Wednesday at 12:15, NKBA VP of Marketplace Pamela McNally will deliver a presentation on design trends drawn from exclusive NKBA research at the Poggenpohl showroom. At 2 p.m., McNally will moderate a panel, “On The Horizon: Kitchen & Bath Design Insights for 2022,” at the Wood-Mode showroom. Panelists include Brian Schoener, Design/Build Manager for Schoener; Peggy McGowen, CMKBD, CAPS, ASID, co-owner of Kitchen & Bath Concepts; Rose M. Dostal, AIA, ASID, architect, showroom owner and principal designer of RMD Designs, and Steven Abruzzo, president & CEO of Abruzzo Kitchen & Bath. The designers, who hail from different regions across the U.S., will share insights about kitchen and bath trends to watch for in 2022 and beyond. This panel will explore design commonalities among the regions as well as address regional influences that are shaping kitchen and bath designs in different parts of the country.
At 3 p.m., Williford will sit with Miele USA CEO Jan Heck to discuss key trends in the kitchen going forward, in the Miele Experience Center. Miele recently unveiled its latest Generation 7000 appliance line to the North American market.
Registration for the individual presentations is free, but space is limited at each session.
There will be two evening events. On Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., an opening night cocktail reception will celebrate the fall issue of Design Chicago, the official magazine of Design Center and LuxeHome at the Mart. Tickets are $25. On Thursday evening from 5 to 8:30 p.m., the Design Chicago Soiree takes place on the second floor of the Merchandise Mart. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and tickets are $100. Tickets may be purchased through registration. Soiree sponsors include Gaggenau, Thermador, Bosch and Luxe Interiors + Design.
For more details, visit Design Chicago, and click here to register.
