What does it take to build a successful design business in today's evolving market?
Based on new research conducted through NKBA's Kitchen & Bath Pro Hub, this interactive session explores how design professionals are adapting to changing client expectations, embracing technology, expanding services, building strategic partnerships, and positioning their firms for long-term success.
Join a moderated discussion featuring experienced designers who will share what's working in their businesses today, what's changing, and where they see the greatest opportunities for growth. The session concludes with audience Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to compare experiences and exchange ideas with peers.

Can you identify a hidden building failure before construction begins? In this highly interactive session, attendees will evaluate real kitchen and bathroom details, vote on whether they'll succeed or fail, and discover the building science behind each outcome. Using real projects and forensic case studies, you'll learn how seemingly minor design decisions affect durability, moisture management, indoor air quality, comfort, and long-term performance.

We'll explore how intentional collaboration between designers and technology partners enables seamless integration, where controls disappear, systems anticipate needs, and design integrity remains uncompromised. From material choices to spatial planning, discover how technology can be thoughtfully embedded to create environments that are not only beautiful but intuitive and deeply livable.

Designers spend their careers perfecting what clients see, but some of the most important design decisions happen behind the drywall. This session peels back the layers of the residential wall to reveal foundations, framing, mechanical systems, blocking, insulation and infrastructure that shape every project. Attendees will gain the construction fluency needed to specify with confidence, collaborate more effectively with trades, and create designs that are as buildable as they are beautiful.

Voices from the Industry is proud to feature Laura Kohler as keynote speaker for 2027. Laura Kohler is the Global Business Ambassador for Kohler Co., having previously served as Chief Sustainable Living Officer and in executive HR and communications roles. A Kohler Board Director since 1999, she serves on its Executive and Pension Investment Committees and chairs Kohler’s three Trusts: Clean Water, Arts and Education, and Preservation.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Laura is the Chair of the African Wildlife Foundation, Chair-Elect of the National Housing Endowment, and a Global Ambassador for Outward Bound International. She also currently serves on the boards of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kohler Foundation, 50L Home Coalition, and the KB Home Sustainability Advisory Board. Her previous board service includes Bank First National and a 12-year tenure with Outward Bound USA, where she served as both Board Chair and Safety Chair.

Please note that space is limited for all of these special events, and seating is available exclusively to VFTI registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.

AI is rapidly transforming how designers create, manage their time and projects, and improve overall business performance. The challenge is no longer access to AI tools but knowing how to use them to create measurable impact in your day-to-day business operations. In this hands-on session, you won't just learn concepts. You'll begin building a personalized framework to track productivity, streamline workflows, and identify opportunities for growth to maximize your resources.

Exceptional client experiences are built through clear communication, strong partnerships, and consistent follow-through. Join this interactive roundtable as we explore the client journey from first contact through project completion and beyond. Share challenges, discuss solutions, and learn practical strategies for managing expectations, improving communication, and creating lasting client relationships.

Clients often decide how they feel about a space before they can explain why. This presentation explores the science behind first impressions, examining how material selections, texture, color, and pattern influence perception, emotional response, and perceived value. Attendees will learn practical, evidence-based strategies for creating spaces that resonate more deeply with clients and support better design outcomes.

Through relatable stories, real-world examples, and psychological insights, attendees will discover the five most common obstacles that keep clients from moving forward and learn why decision-making challenges stem from perfectly normal human behavior. Most importantly, participants will learn how to shift from simply presenting options to becoming a more effective guide through the decision-making process.

Discover how AI can help remodelers work smarter, not harder. This interactive workshop explores practical AI applications for design visualization, estimating, project management, lead follow-up, and jobsite documentation. Through live demonstrations and real-world examples, attendees will learn simple workflows they can implement immediately to improve efficiency, enhance the client experience, and increase profitability.

Clients want homes that feel personal, not generic. This workshop explores how designers can create kitchens and baths that celebrate individuality through color, pattern, and storytelling. Attendees will gain practical tools for helping clients embrace bold choices while maintaining cohesive, elevated design outcomes.