NKBA’s VFTI Conference at KBIS 2025 offers a powerful array of CEU-qualified learning sessions.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
The highly regarded Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS 2025 in Las Vegas gives attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and business strategies shaping the future of the industry and earn CEU credits, with options for on-site training or on-demand viewing after the show.
The VFTI series is generously sponsored by Floor & Decor.
Learn from Industry Experts during Voices from the Industry Conference at KBIS 2025 — Learn More >
Subject Matter Experts will conduct more than 70 sessions for the upcoming edition, Feb. 25 to 27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Seminars and workshops are organized into six tracks: Building & Remodeling, Design, Hot Topics, K&B Trends, Leadership & Management, and Marketing. 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 2025. All sessions are CEU-qualified.
Here’s a closer look at the sessions in the Building & Remodeling track.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Expanding Your Business: Integrating Closets into Kitchen & Bath Design
9 – 10 am
Instructor: Tara Whitlock, closet & home organization expert
Ability Level: Beginner
Explore the profitable potential of expanding your kitchen and bath business to include closet design and installation. This comprehensive presentation will guide you through the basics of closet design, highlighting how incorporating closets can meet evolving consumer demands and enhance your service offerings. Topics include interior lighting, the latest trends and standards in the closet industry, and practical insights on how to seamlessly integrate closet projects into your existing workflow.
New Kitchens in Old Homes
2:45 – 3:45 pm
Instructor: Dawn Viola, CMKBD, Designer & Educator, Classic Homes Design
Ability Level: Intermediate
Tackling a 21st century kitchen remodel in a century-old home can be daunting, but being prepared for the typical obstacles can make it less stressful. This session will cover managing hazardous material mitigation, historic architectural review boards, unrealistic client expectations, and how to develop a project scope that meets client needs while paying homage to the historic fabric of the site.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Frameless Glass Shower Design Fails – And How to Avoid Them!
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructors: Shannon & Michael McKinney, Owners, DT Glass Inc.
Ability Level: Beginner
Frameless glass enclosures are a must-have for most homeowners, yet detailed information about the functionality of glass and shower hardware can be elusive. In this presentation, you will learn the basics of glass design and installation, how to avoid the most common pitfalls, and leave with a comprehensive reference guide for designing and constructing showers, ensuring there are no surprises when it comes time to install the glass.
The New Electric Outdoor Kitchen
1:15 – 2:45 pm
Instructors: Jessica Petrino Ball, Director of Trade Engagement and Education, AJ Madison; Robert Bell, President, Bell Design Inc.
Ability Level: Beginner
The Electrification Movement is dramatically impacting home design, and many new-construction homes no longer have access to gas. While numerous options exist for indoor electric kitchen appliances, the electric outdoor kitchen is often still a mystery.
Today’s luxury consumers want beautiful and sustainable design with minimal environmental impact. This panel will discuss the future of electric outdoor kitchens, sustainability, smart-home integration, and the emerging category of non-gas outdoor kitchen appliances.
Digging Deep Into Sustainability
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Instructors: Sandy Campbell, Designer, Entero Design LLC; Sienna Hawkins, CEO, Beyond the Surface
Ability Level: Beginner
Industry leaders in construction will explore the true meaning of sustainability and navigate the complexities of greenwashing. This session offers insights into identifying greenwashing tactics, understanding various sustainable certifications, and utilizing Lifecycle Assessment methodology to assess environmental impacts of building materials. Learn how to effectively introduce sustainability to clients and establish internal standards within your company, to help drive positive change in the construction industry.
Thursday, February 27
Integrating Health, Wellness, Feng Shui, and Homesteading into Your Projects
10:45 – 11:45 am
Instructor: Bailey Heather-Longacre, Sales & Design Manager, Longacre Construction
Design and construction professionals are not merely builders, but creators of environments that profoundly influence human experiences. Their work extends beyond functionality to impact the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of those who inhabit their crafted spaces. This session discusses ways to integrate principles of health and wellness into projects, creating environments that cater holistically to occupants’ needs. Learn practical applications of rainwater harvesting systems, home saunas, composting solutions, water filtration, natural lighting, integrating indoor plants for improved air quality, and more.
What They Didn’t Teach You in Design School: Construction Basics Edition
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, Founder, Presenter, Built4Design Residential Academy LLC
Ability Level: Beginner
Design schools provide solid training in foundational knowledge, yet often fall short in preparing designers to navigate projects from concept to completion. This course addresses the gap by equipping designers with essential skills, such as effective collaboration with contractors and designing within realistic budgets. Ideal for newcomers to the K&B industry, this course covers practical insights — from identifying load-bearing walls to understanding project sequencing — that influence design decisions from inception.
Winning Contractor Partnerships: Collaboration for Mutual Profitability
2:15 – 3:15
Instructor: Cerissa McKinnis, Interior Designer, Industrious Interiors
Learn essential strategies for building strong relationships with contractors to ensure financial security, project excellence, and successful conflict resolution. Discover how to identify reliable partners through effective vetting processes, interviews and reference checks. Gain insights into different billing methods and communication strategies to enhance client satisfaction and profitability. This session uses real-life case studies to highlight the impact of successful contractor collaborations on project outcomes.
Why Options Matter: Using Customization in Hardware and Smart Lock Specification
5 pm — On-Demand Only
Instructor: Alex Long, Director, Strategic Accounts, Presenter, Emtek Products
Ability Level: Intermediate
This engaging course explores the transformative impact of door hardware personalization, advanced door hardware technologies, and smart-lock integration in residential settings. This session will delve into the WELL Building Standard and ADA compliance, highlighting how these frameworks contribute to enriched sensory experiences and improved overall well-being for residents. Discover how these advancements elevate the functionality and aesthetics of residential projects while aligning with key standards and enhancing user experience.
Leading With Love: Cultivating Compassionate and Conscious Leadership
5 pm — On-Demand Only
Instructor: Annie Kuensting, Coach, Consultant, DEI Expert, Beacon Empowerment Strategies
Ability Level: Intermediate
Annie Kuensting, a certified DEI practitioner, offers a dynamic, no-nonsense, yet kind-hearted approach to DEI Training, personal alignment, and empowerment. She gets to the root of what prevents individuals from thriving personally, socially, and professionally, and understands the complex process of growth and change. She listens deeply, effortlessly meeting people where they’re at, without judgment, and does all this while keeping the true goal of expanding our capacity to love both ourselves and others, centered and leading the way.
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Early-bird pricing is available through Jan. 10, 2025. NKBA members pay $575, and non-members are $775. From Jan. 11 to Feb. 22, members are $675, non-members are $875, and for on-site registration, Feb. 23 to 27, members are $775, and non-members are $875. (Student and faculty rates are also available, click for more detail.) For more detail and a full schedule of sessions, click here.
