From EduDay’s “Design for Healthy Living” to AI insights, CEUs, and celebrations—our chapter is in full swing.  September always brings a sense of renewal—back-to-school energy, the shift toward fall, and yes, those early glimpses of holiday décor already creeping into stores. For our NKBA Manhattan NYC Chapter, it’s also when our programming hits full stride, with EduDay taking center stage. This year’s theme—Design for Healthy Living—explores how design elevates wellness, sustainability, and smarter living, spanning everything from AI and smart homes to nutrition and even the science of beauty. It’s a theme that feels especially timely, because “healthy living” isn’t only about the spaces we design, but also about how we, as professionals, adapt to the world around us. And that brings me to our luncheon keynote. Here’s where my “conceptual” side kicks in: back in 1980, futurist Alvin Toffler in the Third Wave called our era the Information Age—a time when the big breakthrough was how knowledge could be stored, shared, and distributed. Fast-forward to today, and we’ve entered a whole new stage. With AI and automation, knowledge doesn’t just sit in books or databases anymore—it’s being generated, interpreted, and acted on in real time–intelligence itself has become the means of production What does that mean for us as designers, builders, and industry professionals? It means our value shifts toward the things only people can do: being creative, making ethical decisions, guiding intelligent systems, with good judgment and ethics. That’s why we’ve made AI the focus of this year’s EduDay keynote. We’ll explore how it’s already been reshaping our industry since 2020, and—most importantly—how to embrace it as a partner in design and innovation, not a replacement. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and some practical takeaways you can use immediately in your work. We’re excited and hope to see you on October 16th. Circle These Dates – You Won’t Want to Miss Them October 16, Thursday – Education & Membership Day A full day of learning, networking, and celebration with four CEUs, including a keynote luncheon, an evening cocktail reception, and raffle prizes from our sponsors. First-time members are also eligible to win an exclusive luxury faucet from the Franz Viegener collection—and you don’t even need to be present to win! November 13, Thursday – Success by Design, hosted by Kohler and Cambria 10 CEO Habits that Drive Profit—a can’t-miss program for anyone committed to growth, leadership, and long-term success. December – Holiday Party (Date TBD) Chairperson Joan Ravasy is already planning a year-end celebration to cap off an eventful year. It promises to be festive, memorable, and a fantastic way to close 2025 together. | 
