The NEXT Stage at KBIS is a must-see destination for timely discussions, awards, and presentations.
By NKBA Staff
The NEXT Stage at KBIS 2026 is the destination for the industry to come together to hear engaging panels and presentations about technology, wellness, sustainability, a whole-home approach to design, timely business discussions, awards, and much more. Some of K&B’s top thought leaders will share insights and research about what to expect in the year ahead in a lively format.
Each day will be hosted by a different design luminary: On Tuesday, HGTV and Food Network star Taniya Nayak, principal interior designer of Taniya Nayak Design Inc., will host; Wednesday’s host is HGTV Design Star winner and Lifetime TV star Jennifer Bertrand, principal of her namesake interior design firm; and on Thursday, Mikel Welch, an Emmy Award-winning designer and TV personality, takes the stage.
In addition to panels and presentations, NKBA is hosting four special events on the NEXT Stage, which is located in Booth S28201 in South Hall at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Here’s a preview.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 9:30 – 10 am
Thirty Under 30 Class of 2026 Introduction
NKBA will introduce the newest honorees in its prestigious Thirty Under 30 program. These accomplished kitchen and bath professionals are the rising stars of the industry. Come help celebrate the Class of 2026 and their achievements as they kick off their KBIS experience The Thirty Under 30 program is generously sponsored by Fabuwood and Kohler Co.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 11 am – 12 noon
Meet the NKBA 2026 Design Council
The NKBA is announcing a brand-new 2026 Design Council at KBIS. This group of top interior designers will discuss topics personal to their own success and their perspective on the industry. See them together for the first time on the KBIS NEXTStage during a captivating panel to kick off the show.
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 9:30 – 10 am
“The Look and Language of Luxury:” The Journey and Designer Panel
Moderator: Kim Sturman, Senior Manager, Research, NKBA. Speakers: Designers Jeanne K Chung and Mark Haddad, CMKBD
Discover the new paradigm of luxury revealed in “The Look and Language of Luxury,” NKBA’s groundbreaking study on what truly defines elevated living today. This presentation unveils the key themes gleaned from the research, from bespoke craftsmanship and narrative-driven design to the quiet power of integrated technology and the rising desire for relaxed, highly personal spaces. Following the presentation, two leading designers bring the journey to life through their own exemplary projects, sharing the stories, decisions, and creative philosophies that transform exceptional homes into expressions of individuality, authenticity, and modern sophistication.
Thursday, Feb. 19, 9:30 – 10 am
Lifestyle Spaces of Tomorrow: What NKBA’s 2026 Trends Reports Reveal About the Future of Home Design
Speaker: Tricia Zach, Director of Research, NKBA
Explore the most influential themes emerging from NKBA’s newly released Kitchen and Bath Trends Reports. This session highlights the major factors shaping residential design, including the growing emphasis on personalization, wellness-oriented spaces, seamless organic aesthetics, enhanced function, and the intentionally selective use of technology. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how kitchens and baths are evolving from purely utilitarian rooms into lifestyle hubs, wellness centers, and essential anchors of daily life. The presentation offers a forward-looking perspective on how broader shifts in consumer needs and behaviors — across generations — are redefining the home for 2026 and beyond.
