By Crystal Watts
NKBA’s Big Sky and Mountain States Spring Meeting took place at the stylish Renegade Hotel in Boise, Idaho, bringing together members from across the region for a dynamic day of insight, inspiration, and industry connection.
Scott Abel and Josh Stokoe of the NKBA Big Sky Chapter, along with Rachel Hutchens, CMKBD, President of the Mountain States Chapter, welcomed attendees and kicked off the event by recognizing the many generous sponsors who made it possible.
The program began on a lively note with Katye Bennett, CEO of KMB Communications, who shared her passionate perspective on connecting the design and technology industries. Her message was clear: the future is where design meets innovation.
Deb Webb, EVP of Operations & KBIS at NKBA, then took the stage with a rich presentation covering recent research trends, a KBIS 2025 recap, and a first look at the newly launched Kitchen & Bath Pro Hub. “Customization is king,” she emphasized, echoing a broader industry shift toward more tailored client solutions. Deb also addressed the ongoing skilled labor shortage and encouraged attendees to deepen their chapter involvement as a way to strengthen the industry from within.
Next, David Weinstein, VP of Residential Sales at Lutron, wowed the audience with a talk on intelligent lighting solutions. “This is how technology should be applied: it’s a fundamental feeling, it’s hard to describe, but people desire to experience it,” he shared, reminding everyone that the best design is felt, not just seen. “If you enhance the lifestyle of your clients, you’re winning every time.”
Tom Knotts, President of the NKBA Central Florida Chapter and owner of Adalay Interiors, brought a practical tech lens to kitchen design with insights on cabinetry innovation, color trends by region, and sustainable practices. His standout message: “As industry professionals, it is our job to educate the client or end user of the benefits of the changing products in the market. This is what will set us apart from the rest.”
To close the main stage sessions, Kelly Buchsbaum, Director of Chapters & Learning for NKBA | KBIS spoke about what’s ahead for NKBA chapters, the specialty badge program offerings, and ways to get more involved in shaping the future of the profession.
Attendees enjoyed dedicated sponsor showcases between sessions and then split into CEU breakout groups, diving deep into expert-led discussions on everything from human-centric lighting and universal design to 3D software for selling, energy management, customized shower solutions, and authentic luxury in the kitchen and bath space.
A relaxed yet engaged audience soaked up new ideas and built new connections throughout the day. The event was a strong reminder of the power of community and the value of sharing knowledge across chapters.
NKBA’s Big Sky and Mountain States Spring Meeting was generously sponsored by: Ferguson, True Residential, DeWils, Rosewater Energy, Chief Architect Software, Monogram, Fisher & Paykel, MLD, House of Rohl, Coastal Pacific Marketing, Covered Bridge Cabinetry, Leon, Cutco, Homestead Cabinet & Furniture, Material Bank, MarshMcLennan Agency, Domestic Habitat, Seura, Market Share, Lutron, Cosentino, Watermark, Excel Marketing, Emtek, Organized Living, Luxx Kitchen and Bath, Pacific Specialty Brands.
