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These CEU sessions cover six learning tracks from K&B trends to business management.

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 virtual sessions will be available on-demand post-show through the end of 2024 to any attendee registered for the VFTI conference. On-demand content will also be available for purchase on NKBA.org.

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

The VFTI conference features the following engaging, interactive and can’t-miss sessions:

From the K&B Trends Track:

2024 Global Color and Design Forecast

Covering the outlook for color and design around the world, this session presented by Ruthanne Hanlon, National Color and Design Manager, Presenter, PPG Paints, is a great opportunity for designers to start learning what residential design will look like in the future.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Where: LVCC, N254 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Beginner

Designing for Today’s Luxury Home

From understanding the needs of the luxury customer, to knowing the latest luxury design trends, understanding the design of today’s luxury homes is essential to the growth of our industry. This session, taught by Andrea Hysmith, Owner, Ash Interiors and Design LLC, Jennifer Hutton, Principal Designer, Grau Building Company // Grau Design Studio and Helen Cho, Senior Marketing Director, Signature Kitchen Suite, will cover all aspects of the current luxury home market..

When: Thursday, February 29, 11 am to 12 pm
Where: LVCC, N260 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Intermediate

Tunable White: The EASY Choice for Designers

The technology of tunable white lighting can completely transform a space, as it makes it possible for light to dim or brighten throughout the day. Learn more about this solution and how to use it effectively from Keith Troska, Business Development – Loox Illumination, Presenter, Häfele America Co.

When: Thursday, February 29, 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm
Where: LVCC, N262 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Beginner

From the Leadership Track:

From Boomers to Zoomers: Mastering Multigenerational Leadership

The dynamics of the modern workplace are changing, with four generations, all with their own work styles and needs, working together. Presented by Tom Houghton, Owner/Lead Consultant, Round Peg Solutions, this session offers insights that will help you be more effective at hiring, managing and retaining employees of all ages..

When: Tuesday, February 27, 10:45 am to 11:45 am
Where: LVCC, N254 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Intermediate

Damn Straight: Clients Are Lucky to Pay More for You!

More than your average VFTI session, this 1.5-hour workshop presented by John Morgan, CEO, Indigo Strategic Holdings and Michelle Alderman Carr, Design/Revenue Lead, Indigo Kitchen and Bath is a great opportunity for K&B business owners to learn strategies that can help them demonstrate to clients why paying more leads to better project results.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: LVCC, N258
Ability Level: Intermediate

Secrets to Successfully Managing Change

In this 1.5-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to manage change — an essential skill whether you’re a K&B business owner, a leader of a team or changing your own career. Learn from presenter Joseph Burak, Chief Strategist, TRANSIT Strategy & Analytics, how to navigate change so you can position both yourself and your business for success.

When: Thursday, February 29, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm
Where: LVCC, N258
Ability Level: Intermediate

From the Marketing Track:

Brand New! Building Your Best Brand

A powerful branding strategy is key to attracting and retaining customers. In this session presented by Joseph DeCasperis, Owner, Joseph DeCasperis Design, you’ll learn how to elevate your clients’ brand experience and get a crash course in marketing, customer service and branding resources.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 9 am to 10 am
Where: LVCC, N260 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Beginner

Architectural Photography Creates Magazine-Worthy Photos

If you want quality photographs that look professional, capture the details of your designs and increase future business opportunities, working with an architectural photographer is key. Learn  how to best photograph both interior and exterior designs, and the benefits of working with a photographer who specializes in this type of photography from Adam Gibson, CMKBD, Architectural Photographer, Adam Gibson Design, LLC.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 10:45 am to 11:45 am
Where: LVCC, N264 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Beginner

5 Money-Making Secrets of Social Media

In this session, Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, Houzz, will speak with Danny Wang, Principal Designer, Danny Wang Design, about how to build a large following on social media and benefit financially as a result. Wang, who has over 2 million followers on Instagram alone, will share social media tactics and strategies, useful technology and more to create profits using your social media platforms.

When: Thursday, February 29, 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Where: LVCC, N262 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Intermediate

From the Building & Remodeling Track:

Designing a Healthy Home

More than your average VFTI session, this 1.5 hour workshop presented by Jessica Petrino Ball, Editorial Director, AJ Madison, is an opportunity to learn how to bring wellness into home designs. Covering healthy kitchen and bath essentials, smart home technology and more, this session will help you understand how to design a healthy home for your clients.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 8:30 am to 10 am
Where: LVCC, N258
Ability Level: Beginner

How to Meet Client Tech Needs & Maintain Your Design Aesthetic

As the proliferation of home technology continues, it’s essential for interior designers to understand how to work with technology installation companies to both respect design aesthetic and meet growing technology needs. In this session presented by Josh Christian, CEO, Home Technology Association, discover how to find technology partners that understand and appreciate design, what t design-friendly tech options are available on the market today, the benefits of working with home technology installers and more.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm
Where: LVCC, N254 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Beginner

Quieting the Noise- Project Success Through Cross-Industry Understanding & TRUE Collaboration in Design/Build

During the design/build process, tensions or conflict sometimes arise — and this is often due to a basic misunderstanding of the role of another stakeholder, according to Barrett Gubba-Reiner, National Account Manager, Gold Heat, who leads this session. Learn about the motivations and perspectives of design/build process members, potential points of conflict and more to improve stakeholder relationships, inspire collaboration and bring about project success.

When: Thursday, February 29, 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Where: LVCC, N264 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Intermediate

From the Design Track:

Designing the Future: AI’s Impact on Interior Design

Presented by Vanessa DeKoekkoek, Global Training Manager at 2020, a Cyncly Company, this 1.5 hour workshop explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the interior design world, the challenges, benefits and applications of how you can integrate AI into your business and more — so you can harness this new technology and redefine how it is used in interior design.

When: Tuesday, February 27, 12:30 pm to 2pm
Where: LVCC, N264
Ability Level: Beginner

The Key Aspects to Designing a New Living In Place Home

This VFTI session, presented by Louie Delaware, CLIPP, President & Founder at The Living In Place Institute, covers the experience he had when rebuilding his residence as a living in place home after it was destroyed by the Marshall Wildfire in 2021. He will share his personal story about what he learned from the project, and how to translate his key learnings into your living in place home designs.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 9 am to 10 am
Where: LVCC, N260 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Beginner

Top 10 Design Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Kitchen

By reviewing common kitchen design mistakes, as well as practical ways to optimize the processes of both home design and project management, you’ll come away from this VFTI session, presented by Mark Haddad, CMKBD, Founder and President of Interiorology Design Co., with strategies that will save you time, money and unnecessary headaches.

When: Thursday, February 29, 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Where: LVCC, N256 / Hybrid (Available on-demand after KBIS)
Ability Level: Advanced

From the Business Management Track:

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

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, 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

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 maximize  time and create a schedule that works for you..

When: Thursday, February 29, 11 am to 12:30 pm
Where: LVCC, N258
Ability Level: Intermediate

Don’t wait! Purchase a full conference registration pass 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>