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.
Register for VFTI 2026 Today >
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 five sessions in the Sustainability learning track.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Burn the Rulebook: The Radical Future of Home Building and Design
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 9 – 10 am
Instructor: Sara Gutterman, Cofounder & CEO, Green Builder Media
Ability Level: Intermediate
The old way of building? Dead. The future? Smarter, stronger, and built to thrive.
In this session, Sara Gutterman rips up the rulebook and lays out a radical new vision for the homes of tomorrow, where sustainability isn’t a buzzword, it’s the foundation, and where AI and digitalization don’t just tweak efficiency, they transform how we live. Learn how resilient, self-sustaining homes are built to outlast and outsmart climate chaos. Discover how AI-driven living spaces adapt, predict, and optimize in real time. Explore why the greenest homes of the future will be both intelligent and accessible. Finally, see how sustainable sanctuaries can redefine home construction, blending comfort, efficiency, and resilience.
Real-World Sustainability for Kitchen Designers (By a Kitchen Designer)
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Catherine Weiland, Principal, Balance Design Studio
Ability Level: Beginner
Sustainability is an important and exciting area of professional growth in K&B, but it’s fraught with daunting barriers to understanding. Many designers want to know how to apply sustainability concepts to the products they sell and how to sell them. This presentation is specifically tailored for kitchen designers by a kitchen designer who has grappled with these same questions. This presentation is not about overwhelming doom, quick-fix products, or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, it offers practical, rational clarity about how to make meaningful changes to their practices and adapt to emerging priorities in a way that works for this unique business.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Where’s the Money Now? How to Find Active Rebates for Homes and Kitchens
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Andrew Forlines, Appliance Industry Consultant, Chef AF LLC
Ability Level: Intermediate
Help clients discover the rebates available through the Inflation Reduction Act to replace equipment or install energy-efficient electric appliances. Unfortunately, these funds have been slow to roll out and are inconsistently implemented across the country, leading to uncertainty about their availability and distribution. In this session, attendees will discover tools to help them and their clients access updated information on available incentives and rebates, accounting for location, household size, utility provider, and more. It’s crucial to stay informed about the current status of these incentives to maximize potential savings.
Thursday, Feb. 19
The Organized Green Kitchen
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 11 am – 12 noon
Instructor: Andreas Gommeringer, President, Häcker Kitchens North America
Ability Level: Beginner
What if your kitchen could look amazing and help the planet? Andreas Gommeringer will illustrate how smart design choices can lead to healthier homes and a smaller carbon footprint. Learn the essentials of eco-friendly materials, energy-saving solutions, and zero-waste design, presented in a way that’s as simple as it is stylish. From clever storage ideas to smarter energy use, he’ll demonstrate how to create kitchens that feel good and do good.
Building Tomorrow: Integrating Sustainability into Every Layer of the Built Environment
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Instructor: Dean Camastro, Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Duravit
Ability Level: Intermediate
As the global focus on climate resilience and responsible design intensifies, the built environment stands at a pivotal crossroads. This panel brings together industry leaders in architecture, interior design, manufacturing, and construction to explore how sustainability is no longer an option, but a responsibility. From sourcing eco-friendly materials to implementing energy-efficient technologies and reducing construction waste, panelists will discuss real-world strategies, challenges, and the future of sustainable innovation. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on creating buildings that don’t just look great and are good for the environment.
