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These CEU sessions cover closing sales, getting design retainers, smart tech for living in place and more!

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

NKBA | KBIS’s Voices from the Industry (VFTI) conference, presented by Title Sponsor Floor & Decor and Gold Sponsor Bed Bath and Beyond Trade, provides attendees with an invaluable opportunity for professional development and career growth with its over 75 sessions across six learning tracks. The CEU sessions will be held in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) during KBIS 2024, February 27 – 29. In addition to being available in person, hybrid and on-demand sessions will be available on-demand throughout 2024 after the trade show to those who registered for the VFTI conference. Post show, on-demand content will also be available for purchase on NKBA.org.

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Get more details and register here for VFTI at KBIS 2024> 

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The VFTI Business Management track features the following engaging and interactive sessions:

How Does a Sales Process Help My Business?

This VFTI session, presented by Duane Becker, Owner, SaPre Training, covers why it’s important for designers and K&B business owners to have a consistent sales process in place, process benefits and how to create one for yourself and your company.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 9 am to 10 am

Where: LVCC, N262 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Intermediate

No More Free Design: The Secret to Getting a Design Retainer

One of the biggest challenges designers face is clients’ expectation of receiving a free design and quote for their desired project. While this once made sense as the norm, it is an outdated practice that can be detrimental to designers, their bottom line and the industry as a whole. Presented by Jan Rutgers, President, Vestabul Design, and Sarah Reep, CMKBD, R Consulting Solutions, LLC, this VFTI session provides proven strategies for obtaining design retainers and/or fees from the very start of the process.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 10:45 am to 11:45 am

Where: LVCC, N260 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Beginner

The Art of Selling – Sales & Lead Management for B2B & B2C

Presented by Alison Mullins, Consultant, Rep Methods, this VFTI session is an opportunity to hone your sales skills. The session features interactive roleplay, Q&A sessions and audience participation, as well as a deep dive into every step of the sales process, closing tactics and more.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 10:45 am – 12:15pm

Where: LVCC, N258

Ability Level: Intermediate

Stand Out to Scale Up

More than your average VFTI session, this 1.5 hour workshop, presented by Katie Gutierrez, Vice President/Lead Designer, Errez Design, Inc., is your chance to learn how to stand out in the K&B industry to scale up your business, excel in sales, increase your fees and more.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 12:30 pm to 2 pm

Where: LVCC, N254

Ability Level: Intermediate

Cue…the CLOSER!

This VFTI session, presented by Maria Stapperfenne, CMKBD, CLIPP, Division Manager, Tewksbury Kitchens and Baths, focuses on how to close a sale, fast — and how to get greater exposure and more opportunities, learn about and beat the competition and more.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

Where: LVCC, N258 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Beginner

The Corporateneur Designer: Balancing Artistry and Business

Led by Lou Rohl, Principal and Greg Rohl, Founder/Principal at The Rohl Model, this VFTI session reviews lessons learned by the “Corporateneur” — someone who started out in the corporate world and then started their own design business — and how they can help designers balance their artistic pursuits and entrepreneurial efforts running their businesses.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Where: LVCC, N256 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Intermediate

The Power of Building Relationships

One of the most effective ways to give your business a competitive edge is to build relationships across the K&B industry, from architects and designers to manufacturers and specifiers. Learn from Patty Dominguez, Vice President A&D, Cosentino, how to get involved with industry organizations like NKBA to benefit your business and network effectively.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 9 am to 10 am

Where: LVCC, N262 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Intermediate

Smart Technology for All Living in Place Clients

Presented by Toni Sabatino, AKBD, Interior Designer & Owner, Toni Sabatino Style, this VFTI session covers the world of smart home devices that can be integrated into Living In Place Design, the pros and cons of this technology, how to work with expert professionals to provide clients with the best solutions and more.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Where: LVCC, N254 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Beginner

The X-Factor: 7 Leadership Strategies for a High-Performance Team

Every successful K&B business has discovered its X-Factor: how it can mobilize a loyal, devoted team of problem solvers to reach success. This 1 hour 15-minute workshop VFTI session, presented by Fred Reikowsky, Principal, Legacy Business Leaders, LLC, provides everything you need to know as a business leader to create a work culture around the X-Factor to reach successful, long-term growth.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm

Where: LVCC, N264

Ability Level: Intermediate

Getting Things Done: Maximize Your Time and Minimize Your Frustration!

This 1.5 hour workshop VFTI session, presented by Chase Biehl, Co-Founder, President and Ryan Biehl, Co-Founder, Vice President at Biehl Brothers Contracting, covers the planning strategies you can use to harness the power of your schedule to maximize your time.

When: Thursday, February 29, 11 am to 12:30 pm

Where: LVCC, N258

Ability Level: Intermediate

How to Fire a Client While Maintaining Your Cool

Unfortunately, you will sometimes need to part ways with a client. Presented by Gina D’Amore Bauerle, Partner and Interior Designer, D’Amore Interiors, and Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, CMKBD, Principal Designer, this VFTI session imparts the most effective and respectful approaches to firing a client.

When: Thursday, February 29, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Where: LVCC, N254 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Ability Level: Intermediate

Streamlined Solutions: Revolutionizing Remodeling Services for Client Convenience

Presented by Mark Guirguis, President/CEO, Home Masters Int’l, this VFTI session explores the concept of transforming a remodeling company into an all-in-one solution provider offering comprehensive services from initial design to project completion, the benefits, how to establish this type of business and more.

When: Thursday, February 29, 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm

Where: LVCC, N256

Ability Level: Intermediate / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)

Collaboration is Key: Launching Bespoke Closets’ Design Studio

Kelly Victor-Burke, Co-Owner, and Jenny O’Connor, Design Director at Burke Architectural Millwork/Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces are behind Michigan’s first and only WBENC Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and started its new divisional brand, Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces, in 2022. In this VFTI session, they’ll provide an overview of how they built their business and strategies for growing your own organization.

When: Thursday, February 29, 12 am to 12 pm (All-Day)

Where: N/A, On-Demand Session (Available on-demand during and after KBIS)

Ability Level: Beginner

Don’t wait! Purchase a full conference registration and receive the Expo pass plus all on-site VFTI presentations with unlimited access to on-demand sessions through 2024. Get more details and register here for VFTI at KBIS.