The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently announced details of the Voices From the Industry Conference (VFTI) for the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS®), to be held January 20 – 22, 2015, in Las Vegas. Sponsored by Bath Fitter®, VFTI will feature over 90 conference sessions, with many offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) recognized by the NKBA and several affiliated industry associations. The VFTI Conference will also include presentations from two expert speakers with a focus on the future of the Kitchen & Bath Industry: Jason Tester of the Institute for the Future (IFTF); and Kevin Murphy, Chief Operating Officer of Ferguson Enterprises, who will deliver the State of the Industry address. With so many excellent professional development opportunities, registration for VFTI is a must for kitchen and bath professionals planning to attend KBIS 2015.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Jason Tester, Research Director at the Institute for the Future, will reveal research and insights into the future of design, and explain how technology and human behavior play a role. The topic of his talk will be Design for Balance in the Home of 2030. In his role with IFTF, Tester focuses on three key areas: research on how people use emerging technologies, the application of design to future research, and facilitating groups to stimulate insights and implications about the future. Those with a stake in the kitchen and bath industry will not want to miss hearing his valuable insights into what the homeowner of tomorrow will be seeking.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 1:30pm Kevin Murphy, COO of Ferguson Enterprises, will deliver the State of the Industry Address at the Westgate Hotel. The topic of his address will be, Embrace Change: Fear Status Quo. “It’s an exciting time in our industry, that’s for sure,” Murphy states. “But it isn’t a time in which we can sit still and expect success to come to us. I look forward to talking about how our industry is evolving, what we’re seeing today, and even more importantly, what we expect to see in the future.”

Immediately preceding Mr. Murphy’s address will be the NKBA’s Annual Meeting. The meeting will feature an address by the association’s CEO, Bill Darcy, who will update the membership on the State of the NKBA. The State of the Association presentation will include highlights of NKBA achievements over the past year, and demonstrate why the association is such an integral part of the industry thanks to its learning opportunities, forward-thinking approach, and exceptional service. It’s a chance for members and non-members alike to gain detailed insight into the NKBA’s important work, and leave feeling energized about the future of the kitchen and bath industry.

Many of the over 90 sessions featured at KBIS 2015 will offer continuing education units (CEUs) from the NKBA as well as other industry associations, such as NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and AIA (American Institute of Architects). The hour-long informational sessions are grouped into 11 conference blocks over three days and offer attendees a chance to hear presentations from their industry peers on a variety of current topics and trends. All VFTI sessions are aligned to one of NKBA University’s learning paths: Design & Inspiration, Focus on the Customer, Business Management, and Sales & Marketing.

With two inspiring expert speakers offering insights into what’s next in the kitchen and bath business, and over 90 valuable conference sessions to choose from, KBIS 2015 attendees are encouraged to register early for VFTI and make their preferred session selections. “Voices From The Industry has gained a reputation as an incredibly robust and popular conference,” explains Julie Senzig, Senior KBIS Conference Specialist with the NKBA. “We definitely offer design-focused sessions on everything from closet design, to specifying lighting, and decorative hardware, but we also have sessions on effective business management, sales techniques, employee training and development, and social media. Our conference sessions are aligned with NKBA University’s learning paths, however they are a perfect fit for both members and non-members alike. VFTI session topics are

strategically developed to support the ongoing needs of people from all corners of our industry who are looking to stay on top of best practices and expand their knowledge base.” Senzig also noted that past attendees report that, “attending VFTI sessions is an excellent way to gain new knowledge, skills, inspiration, and connect with colleagues. We hear that people leave VFTI sessions feeling reinvigorated and excited to implement new ideas into their daily work.”

For complete details on the VFTI Conference offerings, including registration information, visit http://www.kbis.com/conference/conference-schedule/. Attendees should note that discounts are offered for those who register before Jan. 17, 2015. For questions regarding the NKBA Conference, please email [email protected]. For editorial assistance, including photography, kitchen and bath trend reports, or access to kitchen and bath design experts for interview purposes, contact John O’Reilly c/o O’Reilly DePalma: 815-469-9100 or [email protected], or Beth Gurney c/o Flying Camel: 519-756-2709 or [email protected].

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS®). With 60,000+ members, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since its founding in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.

For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).