NKBA’s VFTI Conference at KBIS 2026 in Orlando will present a slate of sessions in seven learning tracks designed to help enhance business, design, technical, and marketing skills.
By NKBA Staff
NKBA’s highly regarded Voices From the Industry Conference at KBIS is among the can’t-miss events during the annual three-day expo, Feb. 17 to 19 in Orlando, FL. This professional development series offers compelling sessions that will build awareness and skills in seven learning tracks.
The VFTI Conference is generously sponsored by Fabuwood.
Subject Matter Experts will share their expertise in categories including Building & Remodeling, Leadership & Management, Design, Kitchen & Bath Trends, Marketing, Sustainability, and Technology. KBIS attendees may purchase a package including the Expo pass plus a conference pass for all on-site VFTI presentations and unlimited access to on-demand sessions throughout 2026. Topics range from learning about the daunting new world of AI and social media marketing to integrating technology, universal design, and sustainability into projects, client management to hiring strategies, and design tips to trending products. All sessions are CEU-qualified, earning 0.1 CEU credit for each hour of instruction, either on-site or on-demand.
New for KBIS 2026, there will be Wine & Design panel discussions from 3 to 4 pm each day, featuring SMEs delving into three topics:
• From Ruin to Renewal: The Role of Design After Disaster (Tuesday).
• Inclusive by Design: Creating Spaces for Diverse Needs and Life Stages (Wednesday).
• The Wellness Blueprint: Spaces that Nurture Body, Mind, and Spirit (Thursday).
Light bites and drinks will be served. These events are free and open to VFTI attendees, but advance registration is required as space is limited.
Here’s a closer look at the 11 sessions in the Marketing learning track.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
AI Marketing Revolution for Kitchen & Bath Manufacturers
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 9 – 10 am
Instructors: Robert Davidson, Digital Strategist, Adcom; Anne Polkinghorn, VP of Integrated Media, Adcom
Ability Level: Intermediate
Millennials currently make up 73 percent of B2B buyers, and they expect AI-powered experiences. Manufacturers who don’t adapt risk being left behind by competitors capturing disproportionate market share through intelligent marketing. This high-impact session delivers actionable strategies that attendees can use to transform their marketing ROI. Drawing from documented successes like Rheem’s community platform generating thousands of qualified leads below target acquisition costs, and 3M’s 45 percent increase in content engagement through AI personalization, this presentation cuts through the hype to deliver manufacturing-specific solutions.
Allocate a Smaller Percentage of Gross Sales Toward Marketing as You Grow
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 9 – 10 am
Instructor: Brian Javeline, President, MyOnlineToolbox.com
Ability Level: Intermediate
Many businesses allocate a larger percentage of revenue towards the marketing budget as they plan to grow. Unfortunately, that is because most marketers base their business on quantity over quality. Being highly tactical and consistent with marketing activities allows you to capture more quality leads while simultaneously reducing your marketing allocation. The presentation includes a checklist of topics, starting with understanding key metrics before deciding how to use any project content, and then, you’ll learn how to organize and use content consistently for marketing.
Attract and Convert Dream Clients with AI and Smart Automation
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Instructor: Ashley Blaesing, Operations, Home Designer Marketing
Ability Level: Beginner
This talk explores how AI can help personalize outreach, refine your brand voice, and automate client touchpoints without sounding robotic. Learn how to use AI to show up consistently and attract and convert dream clients. The discussion includes approaching strategic AI implementation, applying it to your client journey, best practices for refining your brand voice, and establishing time-saving automated systems. Using real-world examples, the session provides attendees with an actionable plan and templates to attract higher-quality clients, streamline marketing, and focus more time on what you do best.
Scroll-Stopping Socials: Turning Reels, TikToks & Pins into Remodel Requests
Interactive Workshop: 0.15 CEU
Time: 10:30 am – 12 noon
Instructor: Megan McIntyre, Creative Director and Founder, The Marketing Corner
Ability Level: Intermediate
Your dream clients are already scrolling past beautiful kitchen makeovers and bathroom inspiration every day, but are they stopping on yours? This energetic, hands-on workshop will detail how to turn quick video clips and photo posts into real client inquiries. Learn how to shoot behind-the-scenes content on a smartphone, what to post (and where), and how to turn likes and DMs into actual design consultations. McIntyre breaks down the best platforms and shares simple tricks to boost reach without going viral. Discover easy automations that keep your inbox organized and your leads flowing. Participants will walk away with 30 days of content ideas, ready-to-use captions, and a clear strategy to turn social media into their best lead source.
Marketing Isn’t Magic
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Scott Abel, VP of Marketing & Creative Direction, SAV Digital Environments
Ability Level: Beginner
Marketing has a reputation for being overwhelming, expensive, and reserved for “experts.” But it’s simpler and more powerful than you think. This session breaks down marketing into accessible, actionable components designed for multitasking professionals. In today’s saturated market, referrals and word-of-mouth aren’t enough anymore. K&B professionals are competing not just with other experts but with the expectations set by social media, influencer culture, and digital content. This session empowers attendees to show up confidently, authentically, and consistently in the market without burning out or losing focus on what they do best.
Unlocking Client Loyalty: Proven Strategies for Long-Term Relationships
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2-3 pm
Instructor: Dina Al-Dajani, CMKBD, Associate Professor, Seminole State College of Florida
Ability Level: Intermediate
In today’s competitive landscape, acquiring new clients is only half the battle. The real key to sustainable growth lies in cultivating lasting client loyalty. This session provides a comprehensive overview of the essential elements of client loyalty, moving beyond traditional loyalty programs to explore the deeper factors that create truly loyal clients. Attendees will learn to identify key drivers of client loyalty, implement effective communication techniques, build strategies for creating personalized client experiences, and strengthen trust that drives repeat business, positive referrals, and advocacy.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Create Scroll-Stopping Images with Architectural Photography
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 10:30 -11:30 am
Instructor: Adam Gibson, CMKBD, Designer, Architectural Photographer, Adam Gibson Design; Kara Kavensky, Photographic Assistant, Adam Gibson Design
Ability Level: Intermediate
You invest immense thought, skill, and creativity into creating exceptional designs, but are your photographs standing out and capturing the full impact of your work? This session shares valuable insights on creating scroll-stopping imagery that does justice to the built environment, provides essential questions to ask when hiring a photographer, and explores the distinction between hiring a general photographer and a specialized architectural photographer — a professional trained to translate architectural vision into compelling visual narratives. Gibson, a Certified Professional Photographer and architect/designer, discusses the deliberate, detailed process that guides the viewer’s eye to form, materiality, scale, and spatial relationships — the elements that define a designer’s intent.
Thursday, Feb. 19
Attracting Clients with Short-Form Video Content
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 9 – 10 am
Instructor: Jennifer Zink, Marketing Manager, SCHOTT
Ability Level: Beginner
Discover how short-form content like Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts can help designers showcase transformations, share tips, and build client trust — quickly and visually.
Boost Your Bottom Line: Expanding Your Services with Custom Closets
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 9 – 10 am
Instructor: Eric Marshall, Owner, Closet Training Institute
Ability Level: Intermediate
In kitchen and bath design, staying ahead means constantly seeking new opportunities to diversify and expand. This dynamic session explores how integrating custom closet systems and organized, stylish storage solutions into existing offerings can significantly enhance business profitability. Tapping into this growing demand can attract a broader client base and increase revenue streams. Eric Marshall (The Closet Guru) discusses these services, focusing on market trends, design principles, sales strategies, profitability, and case studies.
Marketing Starts Here: Choose the Right Design Territory
Interactive Workshop: 0.15 CEU
Time: 10:30 am – 12 noon
Instructor: Rebecca West, Interior Design Business Coach, Seriously Happy Coaching & Consulting
Ability Level: Beginner
Struggling to attract clients? Successful marketing doesn’t start with posting on Instagram, hiring an SEO specialist, or crafting clever taglines. It starts with clearly defining your design territory. In this interactive workshop, interior designers will learn that where they work — locally, nationally, or virtually — directly shapes their services, pricing, messaging, and marketing strategy. Explore the pros and cons of different options, identify which align with your strengths and goals, and discover how to turn that clarity into client-attracting content. Attendees will walk away with a personalized “Design Territory Statement” designed to help them get found, booked, and respected by the right clients — faster.
Get Your Remodeling Website Cited by Google’s AI
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Instructor: Michael Goldstein, Founder, Kitchen Remodeling SEO
Ability Level: Intermediate
Remodelers have spent years learning how to show up in Google search results, optimize websites, get reviews, and target the right local keywords. But with the rollout of Google’s AI Overviews (SGE), everything is shifting. Traditional SEO isn’t enough. If your website isn’t structured for AI search, it may be skipped entirely. This session unpacks six recently filed Google patents that reveal exactly how AI-powered search decides which content to cite. Attendees will learn what types of pages Google’s systems scan, how it selects sources, and how to adjust content strategy to stay visible.
