The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the destination for kitchen and bath design professionals, has revealed the A-list lineup for the NKBA presents KBISNeXT™ Stage during KBIS Virtual in February. A cornerstone of this year’s KBIS Virtual experience and historically one of the most popular KBIS destinations, the KBISNeXT™ Stage delves into provocative industry topics throughout the show, February 9–12, 2021.
“This last year has reshaped the conversations we have about the home and more specifically, the kitchen and bath. No longer just a retreat from the outside world, these spaces are the center of our day-to-day lives,” said Suzie Williford, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, which owns KBIS. “This year’s KBIS NeXT Stage topics and guest panelists tackle the new design challenges and discussions affecting every facet of the industry that have been brought to the forefront.”
On the schedule for the 2021 virtual experience are daily panels, interviews, and awards programs. The following is a preview of the enlightening and entertaining sessions not to miss on the KBISNeXT Stage:
Events
- DesignBites: New host Darren Keefe welcomes 10 of the most innovative kitchen and bath brands to DesignBites in this crowd-pleasing rapid-fire introduction of the industry’s newest product launches.
Panels
- Design Eye: Up Close with Bobby Berk: Bobby Berk’s rise to fame as the design guru on the popular Netflix series, Queer Eye, was anything but an overnight success. Hear about his strategic journey and approach to his wildly successful design career in this special one-on-one interview with one of the design industry’s brightest stars, hosted by fellow designer and friend Kelli Ellis. Sponsored by Wellborn.
- The Crystal Ball: Predicting the Unpredictable for 2021: Find the opportunity in unpredictable circumstances. What insight has 2020 provided for the design community and manufacturers? Join the discussion about how we leverage our learning, continue innovating, and take design from reactive to timeless. Sponsored by Kohler.
- The New Frontier: Technology Takes Its Place: Technology is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s an integral part of not only kitchen, but whole home design. Join us for forward thinking trends and must haves for future design. Sponsored by GE Profile.
- The Happiness Equation—How “well” are your designs?: Building positivity into our spaces from the ground up. Wellness in design is hard to measure, but upping the ante on happiness is a must for healthy living. Join us for the next step in the wellness conversation. Sponsored by Elkay.
- The Rise of Outdoor Kitchens: Profit from the Outside: Outdoor spaces have become more important than ever with many consumers diverting funds away from travel and entertainment to invest in outdoor projects. Leading outdoor living experts will share their perspectives on design considerations for expanding outdoor living spaces—exploring how the use and design of outdoor kitchens is evolving, new opportunities for appliances, the importance of durable surfaces and more. Sponsored by: Cosentino
Awards
- Best of KBIS: As the industry’s premier awards program, Best of KBIS recognizes those brands and product design teams that are going above and beyond to design new innovations that have a profound impact on our industry. Mark your calendar to see which new products are pushing the boundaries of design, technology, wellness, and innovation.
- NKBA 30s Choice: The NKBA Thirty Under 30 Class of 2021 takes to the virtual show floor to award their top finds in sustainability, outdoor living, smart home integration, universal design/living in place, health and wellness, and creative use of color. See what is catching the attention of the industry’s next generation of leaders. Sponsored by SKS.
- NKBA Renovation Angel Luxury Recycled Kitchen Awards: The NKBA and Renovation Angel, a 501 c(3) non-profit and the nation’s premier kitchen, bath, and furniture recycler, will recognize the amazing work done by design professionals nationwide who have made the commitment to be responsible renovators. Awards will be given for achievements in luxury recycling and in repurposed kitchen design.
Go to KBISConnect for updates on timing and dates for all KBISNeXT™ Stage panels and presentations, register for the virtual experience, and create a profile.
