WELCOME, JUNE! EMBRACE THE SUMMER AND CELEBRATE PRIDE

Every June ushers in the longest day of the year, the joys of summer vacation planning, and the vibrant celebration of NYC Pride Month, honoring the LGBTQ+ movement.

We are proud of our industry as a beacon of inclusivity and privileged to be part of an NKBA network of professionals who take pride in their work. In our homes, we uphold sustainability, wellness, and craftsmanship principles, reflecting our pride in excellence. Pride Month is a powerful reminder to embrace our identities and celebrate our achievements.

The LGBTQ+ community’s spotlight on pride is a testament to the authentic self-worth and respect we strive for. In tandem with Pride Month, we also celebrate Juneteenth, a federal holiday known as "Freedom Day." It symbolizes the ongoing fight for equality and justice and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Both events emphasize the importance of pride, inclusivity, and human rights.

By celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth, we pave the way for future generations where everyone can proudly be themselves, strengthening our communities for generations. Having our children grow up with the self-confidence to take pride in who they are and where they come from.

Concluding an Inspiring Month of Design Innovation

What a ride! We've just wrapped up an incredible month filled with design events that captivated our community. NYCxDesign Week was the crowning jewel, with the illustrious ICFF at its core. If you missed any of the action, don't worry—our AdHock Editor, Diana Mosher, covers all the highlights in this month’s newsletter.

NKBA Manhattan kicked things off in style with our May Chapter meeting, which featured a dynamic "International Trends Update" panel expertly moderated by “aspire design and home” managing editor Deb Martin. The chapter meeting was graciously hosted by the Sub-Zero Wolf and Cove Showroom at the A&D building. It was an unforgettable start to a month full of inspiration and innovation!

But the excitement didn't stop there. Diane’s recap also captures our exhilarating excursion to AJ Madison, where another extraordinary panel moderated by “aspire design and home” magazine continued to wow attendees. On ICFF opening day, we launched the NKBA Inspire Awards, sponsored by “aspire design and home”, marking another high point of the month.

The ICFF Javits Center Main Stage was buzzing with energy as NKBA | KBIS SVP of Marketing + Digital, Pamela McNally, spoke on the latest industry technology trends. She later dazzled (as usual) with insights on luxury design at the Grohe booth. And who could forget the evening's grand finale—the luxurious Gessi Luxury Brand had its grand opening in the new SoHo-NYC showroom.

Throughout the city, design events were bursting with creativity and innovation. We focused on those most relevant to our industry this vibrant time offered. It was a month to remember, and we eagerly anticipate what comes next!

Congratulations go to NKBA Star Award-Winner Barbara Haberman! This month, we spotlight her exemplary contributions as Best Committee Member and her insightful views on the benefits of volunteerism. Known affectionately as "The Ambassador," Barbara tirelessly promotes our chapter. Kudos to Barbara on this well-deserved NKBA honor!

Mark Your Calendars!

We have an exciting summer planned for you, with several key events on the horizon. On July 17, join us for a sizzling summer social (see the 2019 Summer Soiree in NKBA Anecdotal) with our four sister organizations at the fabulous Ferguson PH Showroom—an exclusive event for members only. Then, mark your calendars for August 8, when we host a special dinner for our board of directors, council, committee members, sponsors, and volunteers. And make a note: the 3rd Annual Award-Winning EduDay is scheduled for Thursday, October 10th, 2024.

We're planning a super cool members-only trip to the True Residential facility in St. Louis in early August. Please see our Sponsorship Chair, Toni, for more details. Additionally, watch for the announcement of an excursion to the Hamptons showhouses and enjoy all the members-only benefits of your NKBA-NYC membership. We hope you have some wonderful plans to enjoy your summer. Whether you're basking in the sun or diving into new projects, there's plenty to look forward to. Enjoy the season!

We welcome our sponsors and committee members to attend our council/ board meetings each month, whether in person or via Zoom. Our sessions are also broadcast via Zoom if you can't make it in person. So let Rose, our treasurer, know if you want to attend or join our council.