From a new NEXTStage location in the South Hall showcasing industry stars to Global and International Pavilions, the NKBA has you covered in Las Vegas.
By Nicholas Tamarin
South Hall: The Next Big Thing in Kitchen and Bath
Now it’s time to get ready for South Hall. From hosting the NEXTStage and Global Connect Lounge at KBIS (register here now) to being the home of groundbreaking brands, the Las Vegas Convention Center’s South Hall is a must for anyone looking for the next big thing in kitchen and bath. “After many successful years in North Hall, we’re enthusiastically embracing new opportunities in South Hall with its greater proximity to some of our emerging partners and international organizations through Global Connect, demonstrating our growing role in the global kitchen and bath community,” says Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO, NKBA | KBIS. “This move allows us to tap into the vibrant energy of NEXTStage while fostering connections with established brands, our long-term members, as well as fresh talent that bring an innovative spark to the industry.”
Spotlight on NEXTStage: Daily Design Trends & Insights
Each day of the show at 9:30am, enjoy lively discussions about current design trends and insights.
Tuesday, February 25: The NKBA Design Council, Thom Filicia, Michel Smith Boyd, Celerie Kemble, and Caleb Anderson, will join to share their personal stories, offering insights from their early careers to their latest projects..
Wednesday, February 26: Ferguson will host a panel on “Selective Luxury: The Art of Intentional Design,” which will discuss crafting bespoke spaces that prioritize glamour, comfort, and personal style through intentional design and thoughtful material choices.
Thursday, February 27: NKBA’s Head of Research, Tricia Zach, will give a presentation on what’s next for kitchens & baths and unveil the top kitchen and bath trends defining 2025. She’ll take attendees through must-have features—from healthy, personalized spaces to tech-driven spa-like baths—that will transform homes in the coming year.
Also on Thursday on the NEXTStage, join Bill Darcy, CEO of NKBA | KBIS as he sits down with Daryl Friedman, CEO of CEDIA (the association for smart home professionals), to discuss the powerful synergy between residential design and smart home technology. This session will highlight unique perspectives on innovation and strategic growth and offer actionable business insights.
Meet Your NEXTStage Hosts
For each day of KBIS, three daily hosts will guide the NEXTStage audience through an energetic experience of more than 20 programs focused on design trends and insights combining research, data, and expert opinions to forecast the coming year.
Day 1 features John McClain, of John McClain Design, celebrated for its award-winning projects and signature “comfortable chic” aesthetic that has been featured in top publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and The Wall Street Journal. McClain now empowers fellow designers through his Design Success Academy, offering proven tools to build profitable design businesses. Former House Beautiful editor in chief Sophie Donelson takes over as Day 2 host. Previously Donelson has authored several books including Uncommon Kitchens: A Revolutionary Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House (2023) and was recently the host of Magnolia Network’s Design Defined. Day 3 host Breegan Jane is a fixture in the global interior design industry, including as the current host of HGTV’s Dream Home. She has several licensed product lines available globally and is an avid philanthropist.
NKBA’s Global Connect International Hub at South Hall
South Hall will feature more new-to-North America products and services than ever with more than 75 international member companies and five international pavilions exhibiting throughout KBIS, with many concentrated in and around the Global Connect Lounge and Kiosks in South Hall. “The Global Connect program is making its mark,” says Heather Shannon, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, NKBA | KBIS. “This business development program is bringing our industry closer together, providing richer opportunities for the entire value chain–from manufacturers to designers. Showrooms and dealers are exposed to a broader selection of product lines and solutions, design and construction professionals are learning about new approaches to design challenges, and manufacturers are collaborating on technology. This is how the industry is growing and KBIS is the platform where it all comes together.”
NKBA Global Connect: A Gateway for International Brands
NKBA Global Connect is designed to help international brands reduce their risk when expanding into the North American market. Given the complexities, size, and scope of the North American kitchen and bath industry, international manufacturers benefit from insights and expertise the NKBA Global Connect program offers, including access to industry advisors, NKBA proprietary market research, and customized recommendations for entering the market. Additionally, those Global Connect members who choose to participate in KBIS are offered a concierge experience, helping them to maximize the opportunities afforded by the show.
Companies will participate in several capacities, including through Global Connect international pavilions and kiosks, in independent exhibition spaces highlighted on the Global Connect Design Trail, through robust programming in the Global Connect Lounge, and through the International Delegation program and media tour. The three days of programming in the lounge will include International Brand Spotlight presentations, International cocktail and breakfast events, and roundtable luncheons.
A total of 10 Global Connect Kiosks will feature international product and service providers interested in finding North American business partners. International Pavilions–featuring products from Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy–will bring thousands of square feet of international kitchen and bath products and designs to the show. In addition to those who are part of the international country pavilions, more than 40 Global Connect members will exhibit independently throughout the show. All, as well as the Kiosk participants, will be highlighted on a “Global Connect Design Trail,” found on KBIS.com, the KBIS Directory, and NKBA.org.
The NKBA Global Connect Lounge is the spot where international brands connect with North American design professionals, showrooms, dealers, distributors, and sales representatives. Beginning each morning, new-to-North America brands will present quick “spotlight” takes on their products and brand stories. Roundtables and panel discussions, exploring the role of the designer and go-to-market strategies for North America, will be offered for international brands to better understand this unique marketplace. Breakfast, lunch and cocktail events will include audience engagement opportunities.
Honoring NKBA’s Thirty Under 30
Additionally, NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 inductees will be recognized during KBIS’s opening night and the NKBA | KBIS Kitchen & Bath Design Awards on Monday, February 24 at the Wynn Hotel. The next morning, on Tuesday, February 25, NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 Class of 2025 will be introduced individually at the KBIS NextStage. The annual 30s Choice Awards will be selected over the course of KBIS and announced online, featuring video of the newly inducted Thirty Under 30 members touring booths and scouting for their choices of the best products at KBIS in six categories: Color, Sustainability, Smart Home Technology, Wellness/Health, Outdoor Living, and Living in Place.
Discover the Future at the Discovery District
You’ll also be able to find the next big thing at the Discovery District in South Hall, the epicenter of innovation and inspiration at KBIS 2025. As the premier destination for cutting-edge product showcases and groundbreaking design solutions, Discovery District is where the future of the kitchen and bath industry comes to life. Whether you’re an industry professional, a design enthusiast, or simply curious about what’s next, Discovery District is your gateway to the future of kitchen and bath innovation.
NKBA Booth SL3125: A Hub of Activity
Finally, the NKBA Booth SL3125 is joining in on the fun too with a photo studio where you can get free headshots by professional photographers. It will be open from Tuesday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and walk-ups are welcome–no preregistration is required. Spotlight On: 2025 Professional Design Award Winners will also once again take place in the booth, at 3:00pm on Wednesday, and will feature Shannon conducting insightful interviews with this year’s Design Award Winners. Rounding out the activations, the NKBA Research Team will be presenting its brand new initiative, The Kitchen & Bath Pro Hub, in the booth on all three days at both 10:00-10:30am and 2:00-2:30pm. Created for members and non-members alike, The Hub portal will provide real-time data insights on trends to complement the NKBA Research Team’s invaluable survey findings released throughout the year. Like all of the NKBA events at KBIS, The Hub presentations will be must-sees.
So if you haven’t already registered, please do so now–don’t miss out!
