Emphasizing professional development and career advancement, NKBA University will offer 100 different programs during the annual show in February, with more than half of the sessions carrying continuing education credits.
Presenting more than 100 programs over four days in early February, NKBA University at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS®) 2014 promises to deliver a wealth of learning opportunities that will enable attendees to sharpen their skills, broaden their outlooks, and advance their careers. For the first time ever, KBIS will co-locate with the International Builders’ Show, with both events staged at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 4-6, under the banner of Design and Construction Week in that city.
Developed by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, NKBA University will provide professional-development sessions on three different fronts: Voices from the Industry (VFTI), NKBA Courses, and Featured Speakers. In addition — in another first for KBIS— a majority of these sessions will offer attendees continuing education units (CEUs), which are customarily available only through NKBA courses.
“Attendees should ask themselves what they want to achieve in terms of learning and professional development by attending KBIS 2014,” says Nancy Barnes, Director of Learning at NKBA, which owns the annual show.
“Of course, they will travel to Las Vegas next February to see the newest products, learn about trends and connect with their peers,” Barnes continues. “But KBIS is also the occasion to expand in new directions and see what career options are yet available. The more the industry develops its professional skills, the more it enhances its future marketability.”
Voices from the Industry: NKBA is expanding the number of “Voices from the Industry” sessions in Las Vegas to 85 — up from 60 in 2013 in New Orleans — with 54 of these peer-training sessions offering CEUs. These hour-long programs enable attendees to learn from their colleagues across a wide variety of current topics and trends in four different conference tracks, or “Learning Paths”: Design and Inspiration, Focus on the Customer, Business Management, and Sales and Marketing. Among the highlights are the following sessions, all offering 0.1 CEUs:
- Showrooms of the Future & The New Consumer, with Kirk Heiner;
- How to Use HOUZZ to Bring Profitable Projects, with Denise Butchko and Richie DeMarco;
- Inspiration 4: Insight into Design & Consumer Buying Habits, with Michael Hetherman;
- Kitchen & Bath Lighting Trends, with Jeffrey R. Dross;
- You Are Not Your Job! How to Create Sustainable Work/Life Balance, with Liesbet Trappenburg.
NKBA Courses: NKBA University is also offering a dozen extended, professional development sessions, each ranging from two to four hours, to be held both before and during KBIS 2014. Conducted by established educators and instructors, all 12 programs will offer both CEUs and NKBA education hours in one of six Learning Paths: Design and Inspiration, Focus on the Customer, Sales and Marketing, Adapt and Innovate, Talent Management, and Communication.
Among the highlights is a Richardson Sales Training and Strategy Execution course that will be held twice on Monday, February 3, and twice again two days later, on February 5. The program — Improve Your Sales Performance with Consultative Selling, led by Lynn Neillie — will offer 0.4 CEUs and four NKBA Hours.
Featured Speakers: NKBA University is presenting a different keynoter on each of the three show days. The trio will focus on critical, business-related topics, with all three sessions offering 0.1 CEU. The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, February 4
Michael Roberto, trustee professor of management for Bryant University: “Making the Tough Call: Decisive Leadership.” (Business Management Track – 0.1 CEU.)
Wednesday, February 5
Francisco “Paco” Martinez-Cosentino, Cosentino Group: “State of the Industry: Emerging Markets in the Kitchen and Bath Industry.” (Business Management Track – no CEU.)
Thursday, February 6
2014 30 Under 30 Group Presentation: Individual members of the 30 Under 30 Group and their specific topics will be announced soon. (Design and Inspiration and Business Management tracks – 0.1 CEU.)
To learn more about this year’s educational program, visit: https://www.kbis.com/show/show-schedule
To register for KBIS 2014, click here.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS®). With nearly 60,000 members, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since the association’s 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 the NKBA Press Room or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).
KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
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 john.oreilly@oreilly-depalma.com.