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CHAPTER MEETING RECAP: 4th Annual EduDay

8 days ago
jamie-keel

Record-Breaking Success at the 4th Annual EduDay

Attendees Discovered Insight From 20 Leading Industry Experts Driving A New Era Of Wellness And Technology In The Home at EduDay 2025

NKBA NY celebrated Kitchen & Bath Month in style with the recent EduDay activities held throughout the A&D Building. Over 135 design and industry professionals and students were welcomed to the all-day event. Thanks to our generous sponsors, admission was complimentary. 

In this post-pandemic, technology-driven era, our homes have become the focal point of how we define health, security, and sustainability. At #EduDay25, the dialogue centered around shaping the next era of design.

With the overall theme Design for Healthy Living, the day highlighted how our industry shapes healthier home environments and spaces that promote wellness, sustainability, and comfort. Each of our four programs drew an average of 80+ attendees, and the enthusiasm throughout the day reflected the strong engagement and curiosity of our industry. Guests signed in at the networking breakfast, then proceeded through a thoughtfully curated lineup of CEU-accredited sessions led by industry experts.

At the Keynote Luncheon, the panel discussed The New Silent Partner—Why AI is No Longer Optional for Designers. That was followed by three additional sessions: Smart Home Technology for Better Living, Health & Nutrition Starts in the Kitchen, and Aesthetics and the Science of Beauty. The final stop was a festive cocktail reception where guests enjoyed refreshments, great company, and exciting raffle prizes courtesy of our generous sponsors.

Check out Jeff’s photos from the day ©Jeff Siegel: After Party and Events.

It was a great day of learning, connecting, and celebrating everything that makes our industry—and our community—so exceptional.

Edu Day check-in breakfast hosted at Fisher & Paykel

Danielle Chery is signed in by Suzie Wheeler from Rev-a-Shelf at the Fisher & Paykel networking breakfast.

Pam McNally of Houzz leads the AI keynote panel with Abiola Amusan and Brendan Flanigan in the Hastings showroom.

Jocelyn Homola, Media Marketing Manager, Hastings Bath Collection, introduces the AI session.

Thermador's Chef Eric Morales has his mise-en-place, ready to show us how to make the delicious rice dish for our luncheon.

Guests are enticed by the aromas, heightening their anticipation for their delicious luncheon at Thermador.

At the Smart Homes, Healthy Lives: Designing Wellness for All Five Senses discussion, moderated by Tony Monteleone, Monteleone Consulting; Frank DeFilippis, Builder Channel Manager for Sonos; Richard Simone, VP Product and Brand Marketing - Appliances & TV for Sharp Electronics; Carson Alsop, Sales Supervisor for Lutron; and Rosie Philidor, A&D Manager for Miele.

Rosie Philidor, Architect and Design Manager at Miele makes a point while Carson Alsop from Lutron listens intently.

Dacor’s Chef, Jean-Bernard Villareal, also spoke about the healthy benefits of sous vide and air frying features available in Dacor appliances. Leslie Clagett, Managing Editor for Kitchen and Bath Business, was moderator of the panel Health and Nutrition Starts in the Kitchen.

Charle-John is flanked by two reel whizzes, Jennifer Mirsky and Yuli Agiv, who both knock out some amazing Instagram and YouTube flicks with a focus on our NKBA chapter members and events. Look for examples in the November newsletter and in ongoing updates.

Many thanks to the DACOR team that helped make their session, Health & Nutrition Starts in the Kitchen, so successful.

Jeannine Price, incoming chapter president is with desiger Chasity Centeno, Riese Design, a panelist on the Aesthetics & Health Panel at the Cosentino showroom.

Aesthetics & Health - The Science of Beauty was moderated by Chandler Pibl, Modern Luxury Interiors, Panelists, left to right: T.J. Costello, Hierarchy Architects + Designers;; Chasity Centeno, Riese Design; Keith Baltimore, Baltimore Design Group; and Barry Richards, Rockwell Group.

Getting ready for their Rockettes kickline, these are some of the superstars that make NKBA a leading attraction for kitchen and bath professionals in the NY area. Left to Right: Toni Sabatino,

Tony Monteleone, Jennifer Mirsky, Barbara Haberman, Julie Schuster, Diana Mosher, Joan Ravasy, Jeannine Price, Charle-John, Ellen Lopez, and Maureen Klein.

And the Runtal raffle prize winner is Rochelle Kalisch of Regency Designs. Runtal sponsored the well-stocked cocktail hour for the closing party.

Brian Gallop, Business Relations Manager/Brand Ambassador of event sponsor GRAFF USA is as excited as the winner of the raffle- Sandra Dolfino!

A Fabulous Factory Tour at Fabuwood

Pictured above: The group gathers in the main entry, just beyond the floor medallion which states Fabuwood's CORE VALUES: OWN IT • POWER OF WE • 100 MPH • POSITIVITY • EMBRACE CHANGE.

By Barbara Haberman

This September, the NKBA Manhattan-NYC Chapter gathered at the A&D Building to board a luxury limo that shuttled the group in style to Fabuwood’s fabulous NJ headquarters. We toured their manufacturing facilities and learned about their premium custom cabinetry offerings, which are smart, stylish, and designed for real life.

Founded in 2009, the company experienced explosive growth, expanding from a few employees to the 1,400+ team it is today. Over the years, Fabuwood has continued to innovate and set the standard in the cabinetry industry. The state-of-the-art facility in Newark, NJ, opened in 2023 and features new technologies that enable fully custom cabinetry to be designed, produced, and delivered within 30 business days or fewer. The company is now recognized as the nation’s largest cabinetry brand, providing speed you can count on, service that feels personal, and quality that exceeds expectations.

During the lunch and learn session, Moses Brach, head of A&D Partnerships for Fabuwood, noted that the top three trending colors and finishes for cabinetry are creams, greens, and light-colored wood stains.

Thank you, Moses Brach, for hosting our chapter for an exclusive Fabuwood factory tour. It was an eye-opening experience to see firsthand how Fabuwood cabinetry is made.

NKBA Manhattan-NYC Chapter members get ready to head out on their westward bound trip to Fabuwood Headquarters in New Jersey.

With their best foot forward, it looks like these two leaders got the memo, dressed in spiffy navy and cream. Way to go Moses Brach, host and head of A&D, and Jeannine Price, incoming NKBA chapter president.

A big Thank You from NKBA to our fabulous Fabuwood hosts, left to right: Alex Holtzman - NYC Sales Rep; Moses Brach - Head of A&D; Erica Weheimmer - Product Dev Specialist; Lisbeth Fernandez - Graphic Designer and Rena Stoff - Project Manager. 

Testing, Testing…Preston McMath and Barbara Haberman are all smiles as the group is busy adjusting headphones before heading into the factory, a great way to hear the tour guide's details above the whir of the sanders and saws on the factory floor.

A beautiful pinwheel display of assorted cheese and fruit, part of the delicious lunch provided by Fabuwood for the NKBA guests.

Sandra Singh gives out badges with Anne Calder while Beth Forer chats with Eran Chelcinski and Ryan Behroozi.

Photos: Barbara Haberman

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