Top Takeaways:

  • Seven sessions including three interactive workshops build business skills;
  • Earn CEUs;
  • One pass grants access to all days of learning on-site and on-demand courses after the show.

 

By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

Running the business end of your business takes a certain blend of vision, financial acumen, human resources acuity, leadership — and plain old people skills.

As a proprietor of a small business, the “Management” learning track at the Voices From The Industry Conference (VFTI) will help you finetune these necessary talents for when you don your CEO hat.

VFTI, sponsored by Floor & Decor and Angi, takes place during KBIS 2023, Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in Las Vegas. This perennially popular conference features nearly 80 sessions in six learning tracks, running each day of KBIS on site at the newly renovated Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Many sessions will also be available on-demand starting Jan. 31, and all qualify for CEU credits.

The Management track features seven classes, including three 1 ½-hour workshops. One-hour sessions include:

  • Succession planning to ensure you can hand off your business with confidence;
  • New ways to think about how you hire to get the best talent;
  • Dealing with clients who can’t make a decision;
  • How to delegate effectively.

Workshops dive into building high-performing teams; staying profitable in tumultuous times, and effective organization that helps you take control of your design process and time management.

Speakers include Betsy Brandenburg of Designer Sanity; Steve Wheeler of Remodelers Advantage Inc.; Rikka Brandon and Chelsae Bazzel of Building Gurus; Rebecca West of Seriously Happy Homes; Joseph Burak of Transit Strategy & Analytics, and Tom Houghton of Round Peg Solutions.

One VFTI pass grants access to all sessions, live on-site and on-demand, as well as entry to and shuttles among all five Design & Construction Week trade shows running concurrently throughout the city. Besides KBIS and the International Builders Show, the National Hardware Show takes place at LVCC; the Surfaces show is at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and the Las Vegas Market happens at the World Market Center. 

Regular pricing is in effect through Jan. 28. NKBA members pay $600 for access to the DCW shows and all VFTI sessions, on-site and on-demand. Non-members pay $825, and from Jan. 29 through Feb. 2, members are $700 and non-members are $925. Additional rates and discounts apply for press, students, faculty and non-exhibiting manufacturers and suppliers, so visit KBIS.com for more details.

For more general information about VFTI, click here.