February 2026 Chapter Officer Update – NKBA

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February 2026

Chapter Officer Update

Thank you to our Partners:

“Countdown is on for Orlando. Kicking off our KBIS week will be Leader2Leader on Monday, February 16, 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the Orange County Convention Center…“

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Important Dates

February 3 – Presidents monthly Zoom meeting – 4 PM EST

February 10 – Programs Chair meeting – 3 PM EST

February 10 – Communications Chair meeting – 4 PM EST

February 11 – Membership Chair meeting – 3 PM EST

February 11 – Secretary/Treasurer meeting – 4 PM EST

February 16 – Leader2Leader at KBIS Orlando – 7 AM EST shuttles depart hotel

February 16 – NKBA | KBIS Design Industry Awards – 6 PM EST

February 17-19 – KBIS 2026, Orlando, FL – Orange County Convention Center

Chapters

NKBA’s Chapters Team is here for you – reach out to us via email or call 610-988-6035.

Kelly Buchsbaum, Director, Chapters & Professional Development

Kristin Shechter, Chapters Engagement Manager

Melissa Flynn, Chapters & Skilled Trades Manager

Elizabeth Mace, Project Manager, Chapters & Professional Development

General info, meeting notices, and roster requests:

chapters@nkba.org

Research

Exciting news this week! On February 4, NKBA will launch two must-read reports—the 4Q25 Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI) Report and the 2026 Kitchen & Bath Industry Outlook Report. Be sure to visit nkba.org/research to check them out.

Attending KBIS? Please join us on the NEXTStage (S28201) for our research presentations on Wednesday, February 18 at 9:30 AM for “The Look and Language of Luxury” and again on Thursday, February 19 at 9:30 AM for “The Themes Shaping the Future of the Home.” 

Also, help us celebrate the first anniversary of the K&B Pro Hub, NKBA’s online research community! Join us Wednesday morning during KBIS in the NKBA Booth (S25058) at 10:30 a.m., right after the SOA/SOI, for a brief overview of the K&B Pro Hub and a special reception recognizing the community that has made it such a success.

Whether you’re already a member or just curious, we’d love to see you—stop by to celebrate, learn more, and sign up if you haven’t yet!If you won’t be able to join us in person and aren’t yet a member, you can register online here to be part of what’s shaping the future of the industry.

Marketing

NKBA presents the following February Webinars with a focus on Software & Systems, delving into AI, SEO, and design software. Webinars begin at 12:00 PM ET with 0.1 CEU per webinar.

Tuesday, February 3 | Always-On Marketing: AI + Automation to Stay Visible and Booked
Wednesday, February 4 | Local Maps Mastery: AEO Beats SEO for Remodeling Success
Tuesday, February 10 | Sink Into Search: Mastering SEO for Kitchen & Bath Designers
Wednesday, February 11 | AI Note-Taking for Client Meetings: Enhance Service and Boost Client Satisfaction
Tuesday, February 24 | 3D Kitchen and Bath Design with Chief Architect Software
Wednesday, February 25 | Designing with Autokitchen 26

Students & Educators

Reminder! Our Student & Educator Coffee Break at KBIS is coming up soon on Wednesday, February 18, from 2:30 – 4:00 PM at the Orange County Convention Center. Students, Educators, and Chapter Officers interested in connecting with these groups can register here. This year’s featured speaker is Stacy McCarthy, CMKBD, who will explore important, yet often overlooked, human dimensions of design in “Spaces That Care: The Real-Life Impact of Kitchen and Bath Design.”

Are you an NKBA-certified designer who may be interested in working on the next NKBA Student Design Competition? Contact kryan@nkba.org to learn more about opportunities for contributing to the competition design scenario or judging.

We continue to prepare for the release of the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines, Fifth Edition. We recommend educators use the remaining months of the spring semester and the summer to review the guidelines and prepare to implement them in the Fall 2026 semester.

Government Relations

NKBA actively monitors legislation and public policy developments impacting the kitchen and bath industry, sharing key updates each month through our Government Relations Newsletter.

Hot topics this month include:

U.S. Housing Affordability:

  • The House Financial Services Committee approved the Housing for the 21st Century Act with key provisions related to addressing housing affordability including streamlining regulatory requirements, modernizing existing housing programs, expanding affordable housing finance options, and enhancing oversight of housing providers. 
  • The House passed the HOMES Act which would repeal section 413 of The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to regulate the energy efficiency of manufactured homes. 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): The House passed H.R. 4593, known as the Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing Act or SHOWER Act, which would align DOE’s definition with the 2024 ASME standard.

Missouri: State legislature considers House Bill 2353 and Senate Bill 991 which would dissolve the Interior Design Council and transfer its functions to the expanded Missouri Board and change the terminology from “registered interior designer” to “licensed interior designer.”

We hope you benefit from the value these resources bring to you, your profession, and the kitchen & bath industry. Please reach out directly to Steven Campeau, NKBA’s Senior Manager, Global & Government Relations at scampeau@nkba.org, for any specific questions.

Professional Development

Voices from the Industry (VFTI) is a valuable opportunity for learning and professional development, offering a wide range of educational sessions led by industry experts during KBIS. We encourage all members to visit the VFTI landing page at kbis.com to view the upcoming conference schedule and access the registration link. Chapter Officers receive free VFTI access throughout KBIS, and members can take advantage of discounted rates by registering early—encourage your members to register now before prices increase. Please help promote VFTI registration within your chapter so members don’t miss out on this enriching experience and chance to earn CEUs.

Each day of the conference will wrap up with an engaging and educational Wine & Design event, an opportunity to connect in a relaxed, social setting centered around learning. VFTI attendees are invited to register in advance for these exclusive experiences.

Gain CEU credits with NKBA’s webinars. CEU reporting deadline is June 30, 2026 – earn and report today!

Please join NKBA in congratulating our newest NKBA Specialty Badge earners.

Student Member:

Congratulations to Catalina Londono, Cabinetry, Ontario/Canada, Student

Members:

Deborah Lockett, Interiors Reimagined, Universal Design, Northern New England

Sierra Parsons. Cabinets Plus Inc, Lighting, Chicago Mid-West

Ola Elmaghraby, Laurysen Kitchens LTD, Sales & Marketing, Ottawa

Anneke Huisman, KSI Kitchen & Bath, Universal Design, West Michigan

Joe Vance, Vance Home Remodeling, Remodeling, Mid Atlantic

Kristen Weese, Laurysen Kitchens LTD, Sales & Marketing, Ottawa

Kristin Yaremko, Wilbanks Kitchen Design Group, Cabinetry, Southwest Desert

Amanda Kelly, Beyond the Box Inc, Color, Cabinetry Big Sky

Stephanie Jarol, Cabinets Plus, Cabinetry, Chicago Mid West

Bobby Tucker, Universal Design, Manhattan – Student

Aron Stallone, Dilfer’s Custom Design, Appliance, Mid Atlantic

Stephen Vozzola, Wilbanks Kitchen Design Group, Cabinetry, Southwest Desert

Katie Gladden, Wilbanks Kitchen Design Group, Cabinetry, Southwest Desert

Brenda Fritsch, Universal Color, Puget Sound

Sierra Parsons, Cabinets Plus, Cabinetry, Chicago Mid-West

Colleen Primm, Colleen Primm Designs, Color, Ohio State

Jen Royce, RL Rider Remodeling, Floor Plans & Specifications, West Michigan

Carol Peterson, Arizona Designs Kitchens and Baths, Lighting, Arizona South

Jason Smith, Redbud Plumbing, Remodeling, Texas Hill Country

Curt Nasipak, Home Depot, Color, Ohio State

Jack Johns, Atlantic Kitchens, Universal Design, GA/SC Coastal

Kristen Weese, Laurysen Kitchens LTD, Lighting, Ottawa

Deneesha Williams, Luna’s Fine Cabinetry, Cabinetry, Bahamas

Colleen Primm, Colleen Primm Designs, Floor Plans & Specifications, Ohio State

Lauren Forlow, Cabinet Joint, Cabinetry Sales & Marketing Remodeling, Chicago Mid West

Kim Doherty, KADI Designs, Lighting, Southern California

Tim Whitbeck, Cabinet Joint, Cabinetry, Sales & Marketing, Chicago Mid-West

TracyAnn Schuur, The Design Studio MTS Renovations, Floor Plans, Prairie Provinces

Bitsy Littlefield, MLS Construction LLC, Appliance Sustainability, Tennessee

Membership

Frequently Asked Questions and Member Videos for the most frequently asked questions.

New Members are vital to the success of NKBA and our Chapters. Please send prospective members to membership@nkba.org and we will send detailed information on member benefits, membership cost, certification, badges and more.

NKBA Membership Signup. Please share this link. If anyone needs a hard copy of the application, please email info@nkba.org. There is an updated 2025 membership application with new rates.

Company admins can remove employees who are no longer with the company directly through the company profile on www.nkba.org.

To add new employees, please email info@nkba.org and our Member Relations Team will be happy to assist. We’ll need:

  • First and last names
  • Unique email addresses

Any employees working directly for an NKBA member company can be added at no charge—including Sales Reps who work from a home office.

If you have individuals on your roster without email addresses, please send those names to info@nkba.org as well. We’ll reach out to confirm their status with the company and, if applicable, secure an email address.

Have questions? We’re always glad to help—just reach out to info@nkba.org.

Thank you!