“We want to thank all of you who recently put the time and effort into submitting proposals for our six Chapter anniversary events – over 40 Chapters submitted! We look forward to celebrating in person with the winning Chapters so congratulations to…”
Important Dates
Important Dates
May 3 NKBA Design Competition Opens
May 15 Self-Nomiations Open
May 16 Monthly President Call Register Here
May 18 NKBA Summit: Outdoor Kitchens Register Here
May 21–23 ICFF 2023 – Javits Center, New York
Thank you to our sponsors!
Chapters
Chapters
All 2022 document submissions are now due. These reports will be part of completion of the Compliance grant. Has your chapter submitted all of your financial reports for every chapter meeting you had in 2022 (including virtual events)? These reports can assist you in preparing your Year-End Financial Report which was due by January 31, 2023 with an extension to March 1, 2023. All reports are now due.
Chapter Logos and 60th Anniversary Digital Tool kit is available under Resources and here
Don’t forget to utilize this program which included some dynamic speakers . Please refer to details here.
We are excited to announce the upcoming addition of some dynamic speakers to our Chapter Presentation Program. Please welcome the following speakers:
- Jason Lockhart – “Developing A Digital Marketing Game Plan for Your Kitchen & Bath Business” (Texas North Plains Chapter) ,
- Mark Rosenhaus – “Italian Artistry – Golden Ratio – American Design” (Manhattan Chapter),
- Sharon Sherman, CKD – “Contract Clauses: Protecting your Business from Downside Risk”(Manhattan Chapter),
- Sarah Robertson, AKBD – “Growing your Kitchen Design Business Through Instagram: 10 Easy Strategies” (Westchester Chapter),
- Andrew Forlines – “Appliance Technology for the Modern Home Kitchen” (Rocky Mountain Chapter)
- Joseph DeCasperis – “Brand New! Building Your Best Brand” (Southern California Chapter)
Please submit your chapters financial report after every meeting Form Here.
Keep web pages current. It’s time to check the chapter webpages! Remember to keep news relevant and up-to-date. Post events and member spotlights.
Action item for 2023: The Communications Chair should update the chapter officers’ email addresses on the “About Us” pages. Many chapters are using generic email addresses and in this area they can be inputted. Last year’s officers need to be manually removed. This area is optional and should be used only if a different email is desired.. Upcoming chapter meeting notices, local news, pictures and local sponsors all contribute to robust web pages.
If you need any assistance navigating your web pages, contact us at chapters@nkba.org.
What was due?
Chapter Compliance Form (Required) this form is required for Compliance Funding to be paid). Click here
Chapter Initiative Grant Application (Optional) . Don’t miss the opportunity for your chapter to receive funding for a special event. Click here for more information and review the application.
Form 990 will be required by May 15.
Self-nominations will be open May 15th! More information will be sent soon.
The role recordings are now available under Resources.
What are other chapters are doing for great meetings..check out their websites! Don’t forget about these ideas:
- At your next council meeting:
- Review the Membership Growth plan outlined in Strategic Plan
Discuss if it is achievable and how the chapter is progressing.
- Some additional ideas:
- Celebrate and appreciate your membership, welcome them back as in-person meetings are a reality again.
- Task your members or council to tell at least 5 professionals about the NKBA, have them document! (Perhaps a reward can be arranged)
- Give your local NKBA events exposure via your web pages and/or social media sites. This can be priceless to members.
- Keep members excited about their membership – we recommend sharing this at a meeting or on a post: NKBA Video
- Share the recap of 2022.
- Survey your members, ask them what kind of experiences they would like to be part of in the chapter.
- More meeting Ideas:
- Recycle Ideas! If it brought engagement in the past, bring it back!
- Think outside the box (or screen) for something more ideal. Mix up the topics and speakers. Turn learning into a game (everyone loves trivia!). Have year-long competitions and track points. At the end of the year, the member with the most points wins a prize.
- Engage your hosts — they’re members, too, and they might have some great ideas!
For all the Program Chairs – check out this article on improving meeting attendance. Click here for some helpful tips.
The Chapter Resources page contains information on all chapter programs and provides links to many of the forms used by each officer position. It can be accessed by using your personal ID# to log in to the NKBA website. Click here (or at Find a Chapter/Chapter Officer Resources).
The Chapters team is also a resource to all chapter officers. If you need assistance with understanding your role or responsibilities, please contact us at chapters@nkba.org.
You asked to collaborate with other officers all year. Please join the 2023 SLACK channel here to join other fellow officers. Although this is optional, we encourage you to join to share ideas with other officers.
Marketing
Marketing
Like April, May is an exciting and busy month for NKBA National. First up, we continue NKBA’s 60th Birthday celebration and invite you to follow along as we count back the decades – six in total – from now until KBIS 2024! In May we celebrate NKBA 2010’s, the trends, terms, and accomplishments of the industry, and NKBA. Don’t miss our quizzes, contests and more! Check out the 60th Anniversary page here.
Also in May, we are hosting our first-ever Outdoor Kitchen Summit. Entitled, NKBA Summit: Designing the Outdoor Kitchen, it will be hosted on May 18, 2023, starting at 1 pm EST. We encourage all to attend this informative summit that will provide insight into trends, best practices, innovations and more for this high-growth category.
Hosted by friend of NKBA and amazing designer, Nar Bustamante, the summit consists of four panels, interactive polls, Q& A and more. Covering a range of subjects, including an overview of our latest research report, Luxury Outdoor Kitchens, a deep dive into trends, materials, and considerations for designing the outdoor kitchen, the transferability of skills from the indoor kitchen to the outdoors, and an intimate one on one discussion on the process and the details that make an outdoor space, ‘sing,’ between Nar and designer John Cialone. This is a summit you will not want to miss.
NKBA Summit: Designing the Outdoor Kitchen
May 18th | 1 – 3 pm EST
To learn more and register, visit here.
We have extended the deadline for the NKBA Cookbook that celebrates cooking outdoors. We still want you and want Chapters to be a part of it. Ideally, we want to feature a recipe from each chapter! This ‘member’s only’ outdoor cookbook will feature recipes created entirely by you. Have a great go-to recipe you serve at family picnics or barbecues you’d like to share? All recipes must be your own — think family favorites. The categories include appetizers, salads, mains, sides and desserts. All contributors will receive a copy of the cookbook and a lot of bragging rights!
May, 4th @ 2 pm EST: Future Design Trends: Space. A replay from KBIS NEXT Stage, join NKBA’s own SVP Marketing + Digital Pamela McNally and Michele Smith Boyd, Founder and Creative Director of Smith Boyd Interiors for a lively discussion on how K+B will evolve over the news few years.
May 11, @ 2 pm EST: NBKA Design Awards Webinar. NKBA’s Design Award Competition is open! Tune in to learn about the streamlined submission process and the do and don’ts of how to enter your K+B Designs for a chance to win over $100,000 in prize awards.
May, 18th 1-3 pm EST: NKBA Summit: Designing the Outdoor Kitchen. Tune in for a deep and inspirational dive into this high-growth category that is accessible to all K+B designers
May, 25 @ 2 pm EST: DesignBites, NEXT STage replay from KBIS. Tune in for this high-energy program that showcases the latest innovations and coolest designs for the K+B marketplace.
Events
Events
Excitement is building for the upcoming International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), North America’s premier contemporary furnishing design fair, and WantedDesign Manhattan, a ‘show within the show’ dedicated to high-end North American studios and international emerging designers. Taking place at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center May 21-23, 2023, this will be the first edition of the fair under new leadership.
Registration is FREE for NKBA Members with code NKBA60 at checkout.
The VFTI Call for Speakers opened on April 3rd and is accepting proposals for the conference up until June 9th. If you or someone you know is a subject matter expert in the industry, or a kitchen and bath professional, we highly encourage you to apply. Speakers and attendees can earn valuable CEU credits. Speakers who are selected will present at KBIS 2024 during show dates: 2/27/24-2/29/24. And don’t forget, most of the 2023 VFTI sessions are available on-demand now through the end of the year.
NKBA’s Design Competition will open on May 3rd. Kitchen and bath designers can compete for cash prizes totaling $100,000 with a streamlined application process, so please encourage your members to participate.
We encourage you to to share this news, summits and more with you chapter members. And of course reach out if you have any questions.
Professional Development
Professional Development
NKBA’s Fourth Edition K&B Planning Guidelines (spiral-bound) is now available for purchase in BULK on the NKBA store.
NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines web page provides a general overview about the revisions found within this publication, as well as two webinar recordings highlighting the history of NKBA’s Planning Guidelines and specific topics and practical applications related to the new publication.
During this first year, the NKBA will be hosting Certification Study Groups to assist candidates through the new process. We are currently developing the agenda along with dates and times to present these sessions via Zoom. In the meantime, questions can be sent to certification@nkba.org.
The Learning Department will be joining the NKBA Chapter Presidents meeting on May 16, 2023. We will address any questions you have been receiving pertaining to the restructured Certification Pathway. In order to answer all questions during this meeting, please send directly to gklein@nkba.org no later than May 12, 2023 at 5:00pm (EDT).
Newly Restructured – NKBA’s CKBD Certification Program
The NKBA is now accepting applications to our newly reformed Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) Program. Eligibility requirements, changes to the program, overall process, and application is available on the NKBA’s Certification webpage.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to certification@nkba.org.
Congratulations to our newest Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers!
Susan Brodie, CKBD
Prairie Provinces, Breeze Designs
Leighton Hoey, CKBD
North Florida, Beaches Woodcrafts
Courtney Wall, CKBD
Northern New England, JM Construction
Leah Gunnels, CKBD
Tennessee
Erica Swanson, CKBD
Rocky Mountain, ESDesigns
Kristen Hennie, CKBD
Ohio State, Ducy Design
Congratulations to our newest NKBA Specialty Badge earners!
Heather LaFlamme, Cabinetry
Supply New England, Northern New England
Coleen Shannon, Cabinetry
American River Flooring & Painting, California Capital
Jennifer Hutton, Remodeling
Grau Building Company, Eastern Carolinas
Jacob Wesemann, Floor Plans & Specifications
Kohler Company, Wisconsin/Upper Michigan
Erin James, Remodeling and Cabinetry
Dilworth’s Custom Design, Inc, Mid Atlantic
Matthew Green, Cabinetry
Greendesigned, GA/SC Coastal
Jade Boser, Remodeling
Beyond Kitchens, Minnesota State
Corri Melling, Remodeling
Melling Granite, Southwest Desert
Pete Bedsole, Remodeling
Kerby Custom Renovations, Alabama
Laura Mc Keon, Floor Plans & Specifications
Canyon Kitchen And Bath, Central Coast and Valleys
Kathleen Steiner, Color
Wisconsin/Upper Michigan
Antje Meisner, Remodeling
Antje Meisner, Minnesota State
Melanie Parker, Cabinetry
American River Flooring & Painting, California Capital
Collin Place, Cabinetry
American River Flooring & Painting, California Capital
Melinda Kaehler, Sustainability
Gerhards Kitchen & Bath Store, Wisconsin/Upper Michigan
Moira Poole, Sustainability
Gerhards Kitchen & Bath Store, Wisconsin/Upper Michigan
Lynn Colyer, Remodeling
Lowes of Petoskey, MI #2585, Northern Michigan
Aleksandra Missbrener, Remodeling and Universal Design
HGI Remodeling, Texas Gulf Coast
Calvin Poon, Sales & Marketing
Makellos Cabinetry, Mid Atlantic
Katie Lussier, Sales & Marketing
Home Depot #4715, Puget Sound
Complete Your NKBA Specialty Badge! Have you started the process to earn an NKBA Specialty Badge but have yet to take the test? We’d like to encourage those of you to take the online exam and earn your badge today! If you’re ready to proceed to the exam, please fill out the NKBA Badge Exam Form.
The Specialty Badge flier and informational webinar is available to all Chapters. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email badge@nkba.org or call our Member Relations team at (800) 843-6522.
The NKBA Design Webinar Program in April includes four webinars with topics focused on sustainable concepts! In addition, NKBA will offer two new Business Webinars on project management. Click here to register.
Design topics include: creating an indoor garden for health and wellbeing; biophilia in kitchen and bath spaces; optimizing water efficiency in homes; and materials that matter in kitchen and bath spaces. Business topics include: communication techniques to keep projects on track and predictable project management to avoid chaos.
You must attend 80% of the “live” webinar session to earn .1 CEU per webinar. The Design webinars are generously sponsored by Geberit. Click here to learn more about our sponsor.
NKBA Initiatives
NKBA Initiatives
As NKBA continues with its NextUp initiatives, we wanted to provide the chapters with some resources. The below article was on the NKBA blog and newsletter and lets members know what is being worked on regarding skilled labor. There is also a template at the end of the article that members can use to send to their legislators.
NKBA + You = Addressing the Skilled Labor Shortage in the Kitchen & Bath Industry
A new one-sheeter is also available for chapters to send to their local schools, use at home shows or other events promoting jobs in the skilled trades as well as the NKBA NextUp program. Click here.
As NKBA continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the governance department is working with the Associations Past Presidents/Chairman and Hall of Fame inductees to participate in this historic milestone. Kicking off this initiative was current Chair of the Board, Jan Heck, President and CEO of Miele USA. Check out the article here!
Student Relations
Student Relations
NKBA offers free membership for all higher education students studying in the design and construction fields as well as discounted membership to all recent graduates. For more information, please email info@nkba.org or call our team at (800) 843-6522.
We are currently reaching peak season for NKBA membership and certification renewals for a majority of our members. Please remind them that we recently moved our offices to Pennsylvania and to mail their membership or certification dues to our new address: 1 West Broad Street, Ste 300, Bethlehem PA 18018. If any members need assistance with their renewals, please refer them to the Member Relations team. They can call us at 800 843-8522 (the-nkba) or they can send an e-mail to info@nkba.org.
Member Relations
Member Relations
Please send all prospective member inquiries to noelle@nkba.org and our team will send detailed information on member benefits, membership cost, certification, badges and more (please note the online application is temporarily unavailable). Click here for our Member Benefits Brochure.
The 2023 NKBA membership application has been updated and is available for distribution. If anyone needs a copy of the application, please contact the Member Relations Team at info@nkba.org
The NKBA recently updated our membership applications so that we can streamline the application process as well as gather valuable information. Please make sure you are providing potential NKBA members with the correct version of our member applications. If you need a copy, please send a request to info@nkba.org.
Exciting addition to your member profile! Login to NKBA.org to retrieve your individual member number. We recommend that all NKBA chapter officers take some time to update their member profiles.
If you are a company owner, your company member number will be under your Organization’s Profile. While you are in your member profile, it’s a great time to add photos, your bio, social media links and more. The Member Relations team has a one-page instruction document available for distribution. Please reach out to us at info@nkba.org, and we will send you a copy of the instructions. You can also schedule some time with one of our member relations’ professionals to walk through the process.
Please encourage your members to send any roster, employment, company name changes, etc. to info@nkba.org and the Member Relations Team will be happy to help!
Additionally, we receive inquiries from members asking for chapter officer contact information. In response to these inquiries, we refer members to the About Us link on the chapter’s webpage. Please ensure that this information is complete and up to date.
The Member Relations team is here to assist you with updating your Chapter websites. If you need assistance adding or modifying an event, picture, sponsor etc… Please do not hesitate to email us at info@nkba.org or call us at 800-843-6522. We are always glad to lend a hand.
The NKBA has a revised version of the new membership applications that include updated pricing and additional segments to better identify the services our members provide. Please reach out to the member services department if you need a copy of the new applications and please discard any old versions.
Member Companies should take advantage of another wonderful NKBA member benefit, posting job openings on NKBA.org job portal! This benefit is available to all active members and is included with your membership. Reach out to us for details, (800) 843-6522 or info@nkba.org.
NKBA Chapter Relations Department Contact List
1-800-843-6522
Chapters: Chapters@nkba.org (Chapter Officer Inquiries on Responsibilities)
Julie Figiel, 610-871-8181 x121 – Mgr, Chapter Relations, Chapter Growth Advocate
Gerri Klein, 610-871-8181 x104 – Sr. Mgr Member Relations and ChaptersMember Relations – info@nkba.org (Membership Inquiries)
Alan Dove, Senior Director Member Relations
Chapter Leadership Committee – Click Here. Also located on the Resources page of the website.
Did you miss the previous issue of the Chapter Officer Update, or do you have suggestions for future issues? If so, email chapters@nkba.org .