NKBA Manhattan Chapter’s Third Annual Education and Membership Day (“Edu Day”) was held at the A&D Building on Tuesday, October 8, with an all-day Membership Drive and full day of CEUs and programs from 10 AM to 8 PM. The day included a keynote panel and luncheon; great giveaways and raffle prizes; engaging panel discussions; and a celebratory closing cocktail reception.
Top moderators and panelists from inside the industry and beyond explored hot topics, including Harnessing the Power of Light as an Evolving Luxury; AI in Residential Design for Designers, Remodelers and Architects; Sustainability Through a Technological Lens; Great Design—The Great Equalizer; and Interactive Oktoberfest with Miele. While NKBA members earned CEUs, potential new members experienced firsthand NKBA’s membership benefits, with the strong focus on Education, one of the primary reasons to join NKBA.
As Manhattan Chapter President Charle-John Cafiero shared, “Every committee in the NKBA Manhattan Chapter, including Sponsorship, Communications, Membership, Finance and Programs, worked on this event. Our long-term planning over three months in advance and careful attention to detail made this event successful. Manhattan Chapter Officers and committee volunteers all stepped up to oversee five CEU programs plus run a full-day schedule. Our Manhattan Chapter has built strong relationships with sponsors, and when planning Edu Day, we got their buy-in on programming and raffle prizes.”
“The impact of our annual Edu Day raises the profile of the Manhattan Chapter in the highly competitive NYC design community and provides an all-day setting for the Membership Drive,” Cafiero said.
NKBA Manhattan’s Membership Committee had the opportunity to interact all day with prospective members who were able to observe first-hand the benefits of joining NKBA while attending panels, keynote luncheon and the closing cocktail reception. Edu Day provides networking opportunities for designers and showroom teams, and it helps members earn their NKBA CEUs. Volunteers also enjoy the opportunity to work toward a common goal. These bonds and a sense of community lead to repeat renewals.
NKBA Manhattan Chapter took on the challenge of not one event, but a whole day of individual events, plus a robust CEU offering and full-day membership drive. It was standing room only, but most attendees stayed throughout the day for education and networking. Edu Day benefits both members and sponsors, attracts new membership to the chapter, and raises the profile of NKBA in New York City and beyond via editorial coverage and social media. Overall, as Cafiero noted, “Edu Day 2024 served as a powerful and persuasive reason for joining NKBA.”
Photos courtesy of Jeff Siegel | The Mad Photographer.
