What You Will Learn
Discover the evolving role of outdoor spaces as hubs for connection, creativity, and modern living. From the cultural roots of backyard grilling to today’s multifunctional layouts, we’ll examine how thoughtful design can foster inclusive, unhurried social experiences. Key topics include spatial planning, safety, accessibility, and modern design aesthetics—along with strategies to extend usability year-round. Learn how to craft outdoor environments that are not only beautiful but also built for collaboration, comfort, and community.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the cultural and social evolution of outdoor entertaining, from the history of backyard grilling to the modern shift toward outdoor leisure and community connection.
- Understand the principles of functional, inclusive outdoor kitchen design, including safe layouts, accessibility, and the integration of prep, cook, and gathering zones.
- Learn how to create engaging, year-round outdoor spaces through thoughtful material choices, modern aesthetics, and features that encourage participation, comfort, and extended use.
Featured Presenter
Kay Trulaske, Sales & Marketing – True Appliances
Kay Trulaske was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned a B.A. in Journalism and French, with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Richmond. Based in New York City, she has spent the past five years at her family business, True Manufacturing, an industry leader in commercial refrigeration for nearly 80 years.
Since joining the residential division, True Residential, in 2020, Kay has led product strategy, digital media, and spearheaded the design and launch of their first-ever flagship showrooms in NYC and Clayton, Missouri. At NKBA’s KBIS 2025, Kay helped launch the brand’s first-ever hot-side product “Caliber”, a brand of premium grills, and was named to NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 list. Kay also handles sales for True Residential in the New York metro area and belongs to the NKBA Manhattan chapter.
Featured Presenter
Chelsea Bothe, Brand Manager – True Appliances
Chelsea Bothe is Brand & Marketing Manager at True Residential, bringing luxury refrigeration to life through bold storytelling and captivating design. Passionate about color, creativity, and connecting with discerning homeowners and design professionals, Chelsea blends strategy with style to elevate the True Residential brand.
When she’s not shaping engaging marketing campaigns, Chelsea navigates the delightful chaos of family life with her husband and two young daughters. She loves traveling and savoring great food and drink — though with little ones in tow, those adventures are a bit more spontaneous these days. A Journalism graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia with over a decade in marketing, Chelsea expertly merges enthusiasm and expertise, showcasing True Residential’s distinctively designed products.
Featured Presenter
Kimberly Little, Director of Business Development at Royal Green Appliances
Kimberly Little is the Director of Business Development for Royal Green Appliances in Parsippany NJ. With 19 years of experience in the luxury kitchen market, she has strong ties to the design community and deep expertise in high-end appliances. Kimberly also serves as President of (NARI) National Association for Remodelers and Installers NJ and Associate Vice President of (BRANJ) Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern NJ. Working closely with designers and their client’s has given her the opportunity to offer suggestions and solutions for a wide range of dream kitchen challenges. In her spare time she enjoys entertaining her family and friends at home with her husband Dennis and their beloved Yorkie Baxter. With her three adult children recently married or engaged, event planning has become a top priority. Luckily, her career has enabled her to learn a great deal about cooking and party planning-because after all, the best memories are created in the kitchen!
