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.
Register for VFTI 2026 Today >
Subject Matter Experts will share their expertise in categories including Design, Building & Remodeling, Leadership & Management, Kitchen & Bath Trends, Marketing, Sustainability, and Technology. KBIS attendees may purchase a package including an 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.
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 10 sessions in the Design learning track.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
The Art of Incorporating Global Trends in Regional Markets
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Instructor: Nicole Mackey, National Kitchen & Bath Channel Manager, Cosentino
Ability Level: Beginner
Stay ahead of your competition amid changing trends and markets that may be slower to adapt. Drawing on the recent Global Trend Report by Cosentino, this session explores how to embrace the individuality of regional markets while tapping into global trends that will strongly influence home design in 2026 and beyond. Gain actionable insights into what to do now to empower clients to integrate different trending materials, colors, and textures to fit their design vision, along with leveraging tools and resources in your market to ensure your designs stay innovative.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Mastering Design Storytelling to Build Trust and Client Loyalty
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Instructor: Mariana De La Garza, Creative Director, Interior Designer, Coton House
Ability Level: Beginner
In today’s competitive design market, telling a compelling story can be the difference between winning clients or losing them to competitors. This session explores how designers can harness the power of storytelling to communicate their vision in a way that resonates emotionally and practically with clients. Mariana De La Garza shares her approach to crafting engaging design narratives across presentations, mood boards, and social media. Attendees will learn to develop stories that reflect their clients’ values, clarify design intent, and strengthen client relationships through relatable, memorable communication, using strategies to transform technical details into inspirational stories.
Home Sweet Home: Tailoring Spaces for Autism and Aging in Comfort
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Catherine Deutschlander, CKBD, Owner/Founder/Designer, CW Design
Ability Level: Beginner
What do design, aging in place (comfort), and autism have in common? Their emphasis on perspective and the unique needs of individuals. This presentation highlights the critical importance of thoughtful design that accommodates seniors who wish to remain in their homes, as well as autistic individuals. Delve into specific design elements in essential spaces, including the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, where daily life unfolds. Attendees will learn how to create environments that are not only functional but also enhance comfort, safety, and accessibility for these populations.
Avoid the Hashtags: Designing Functional Spaces That Go Beyond the Latest Trends
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2-3 pm
Instructor: David Shove-Brown, Co-Founder & Partner, //3877
Ability Level: Intermediate
This session provides advice for reviewing goals with clients and turning them into stunning designs while resisting fleeting social media trends. With a focus on research, intention, and thoughtful material selection, this session helps design professionals deliver kitchens and baths that are as purposeful as they are visually compelling, embracing the unique character of the end users. This includes conducting meaningful client interviews that prioritize real-life needs and goals, understanding how to integrate color, texture, and pattern without sacrificing practicality, and gaining the confidence to push back on short-lived trends in favor of timeless, user-focused design.
Luxury Meets Function: Elevating Wellness Beyond the Buzz
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2-3 pm
Instructor: Elle H-Millard, Creative Director/Designer, Xperience LLC Designs
Ability Level: Advanced
Wellness has evolved from a crunchy buzzword into a luxurious, sensory-driven lifestyle — demanded by clients, embraced by designers, and elevated by manufacturers. In this immersive session, Elle H-Millard explores how to blend function and flair to create indulgent spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Designed for pros who already know the difference between a thermostatic valve and a touchless faucet, this presentation goes beyond product specs to examine the psychology of desire, the art of storytelling through materials, and the future of integrated wellness. Learn how wellness has become a symbol of status, style, and self-care, anchored in science, powered by design, and ripe with revenue potential.
Thursday, Feb. 19
30 Design and Business Tips for Implementation in 30 Days
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 9 – 10 am
Instructor: Christopher Grubb, President, Arch Interiors Design Group
Ability Level: Beginner
Award-winning interior and product designer Christopher Grubb shares 30 tips to incorporate in 30 days, drawn from his three decades leading Beverly Hills-based Arch-Interiors Design Group and directing two product design studios. Tested and perfected, these tips can be incorporated in business practice, project and client management, design psychology, media participation, and in the language of luxury to make projects run smoother and help manage clients and expectations.
Cracking the Code on Wellness Design in Kitchens & Baths: Increase Your Bottom Line
Workshop: 0.15 CEUs
Time: 10:30 am – 12 noon
Instructor: Jillian Pritchard Cooke, Founder/CEO, Wellness Within Your Walls
Ability Level: Intermediate
Cracking the code of wellness design in kitchens and baths relies upon a foundational understanding of the impact our homes have on us and our health, which is elemental to building a wellness-oriented design practice that adds to the bottom line. This presentation explains the concept of body burdens and their connection to environmental exposures in the home. Learn about the impact on neurotransmitters in our bodies and resultant health issues. Through an interactive wellness methodology, attendees will discover how to delineate best practices in kitchen and bath design that lead to optimal well-being.
Slab Savvy: How to Hire the Right Team for Porcelain Slab Projects
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Nathan Parsons, CEO, The Porcelain Slab Co.
Ability Level: Intermediate
Porcelain slabs are transforming kitchen design, offering unmatched durability, sleek aesthetics, and expansive surfaces. But unlike traditional materials, fabricators are often reluctant to work with it. Add the investment of some specialized equipment and labor to get fabricated and installed correctly, and not every trade pro is up to the task. In this essential session, Nathan Parsons dives into the core knowledge needed to make smart decisions when selecting fabricators and installers for porcelain slab work. Attendees will learn why designer education is critical, how to spot red flags, and what questions to ask before entrusting their design to a team.
Creating Functionality And Storage Without Expanding The Footprint of the Home
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Instructor: Ute Vandenberghe, AKBD, Owner/Principal, UV Designs
Ability Level: Beginner
In the 60s and 70s, homes were often utilitarian — compact, minimal, and purely functional — yet surprisingly inefficient in space use. This presentation explores innovative design solutions that address common challenges in these homes. Attendees will see real-world case studies and before-and-after plans shown in 3D.
What Clients Really Want: Designing for Lifestyle, Value, and Emotion
Session: 0.1 CEU
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Instructor: Laurie Coton, CEO, Principal Designer, Broker, Coton House
Ability Level: Beginner
Today’s luxury clients aren’t just buying style — they’re investing in how a space feels, functions, and holds long-term value. In this session, Laurie Coton shares how to design for the full spectrum of what clients really want: beauty, lifestyle alignment, emotional resonance, and smart market investment. Attendees will learn about approaches to high-end projects with an eye toward personalization and resale, and how to use real estate insight to guide smart selections and layout decisions. This session is ideal for designers who want to speak the client’s language, create more strategic proposals, and deliver work that lasts.
