Annual Event Brings Together Certified Kitchen & Bath Designers
More than 100 Certified Kitchen & Bath Designers gathered at KBIS 2026 for one of the show’s most anticipated annual traditions: the NKBA Certified Designer Lunch.
The event brought together credentialed professionals from across North America to celebrate certification, strengthen connections, and reaffirm their commitment to excellence in kitchen and bath design.
Kelly Buchsbaum, NKBA Director, Chapters & Professional Development, and Kelly Ann Ryan, NKBA Sr. Manager, Professional Development, welcomed the group of leading kitchen and bath designers. They encouraged attendees to connect with one another at KBIS, as well as throughout the year, with the NKBA Professional Development team, including Robert Novellino, Programs Manager, and Elizabeth Mace, Project Manager.
Held during KBIS, the industry’s premier trade show, the Certified Designer Lunch provided a dedicated space for certified designers to network with peers who share a commitment to professional standards, continuing education, and industry leadership. In a bustling show environment filled with product launches and innovation showcases, the lunch offered something equally valuable: community.
A Commitment to Certification
This year’s Certified Designer Lunch was sponsored by Fabuwood, a long-time supporter of NKBA certification initiatives. In addition to sponsoring the event, Fabuwood also backs the Certified Designer Grant program, an investment that will help bring even more CKBDs to KBIS 2027.
For Fabuwood, supporting certification is about elevating both the profession and the value designers bring to their clients.
“For designers, education is the foundation of confidence,” said Moses Brach, Head of A&D at Fabuwood. “Design trends, materials, construction methods, and codes are always evolving. Continuing education ensures designers can create kitchens that are not only beautiful, but functional, code compliant, and thoughtfully planned from start to finish.”
Brach emphasized that certification goes beyond credentials. “Certification validates expertise. It tells clients that a designer has invested in their craft, understands industry standards, and is committed to best practices. It’s more than a credential—it’s really a differentiator in a competitive market.”
His remarks reinforced a shared belief among attendees: professional certification strengthens both individual careers and the broader industry.
Designing for Greater Opportunity
The highlight of the luncheon was a keynote presentation by Melissa Galt, CEO and Founder of Melissa Galt, Inc. In her talk, “Beyond K&B: Designing the Whole Home for MORE Profit,” Galt encouraged designers to expand their scope beyond kitchens and baths to increase profitability and deepen client relationships.
A respected speaker and business coach to the trade, Galt is also host of the Design Business Freedom podcast and author of Marketing Luxury Design and The Language of Success. Her presentation focused on strategic growth, guiding designers to leverage their expertise across entire homes while strengthening their business practices.
By blending business strategy with creative vision, Galt challenged attendees to think bigger about their role, not just as kitchen and bath specialists, but as trusted design authorities capable of leading comprehensive residential projects.
Elevating the Industry Together
As KBIS continues to evolve alongside shifting consumer expectations and expanding design possibilities, the Certified Designer Lunch stands as a reminder of the power of professional standards and shared knowledge.
With more than 100 certified designers in the room—and more on the way thanks to initiatives like the Fabuwood NKBA Certified Designer Grant program—the message was clear: certification matters. It builds confidence, strengthens credibility, and elevates the industry as a whole.
At KBIS 2026, the Certified Designer Lunch was more than a meal. It was a celebration of expertise, education, and the ongoing pursuit of excellence in kitchen and bath design.
