January 5, 2024

NEXTStage will once again be a featured highlight of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), owned by National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA|KBIS) and produced by partner Emerald Expositions. Located in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, NEXTStage offers attendees diverse and relevant programming that inspires thought-provoking dialogue and educates about the state of the kitchen and bath industry.

KBIS NEXTStage offers a once-a-year opportunity to interface with an exciting roster of the design industry’s top experts, including Amanda Gunawan, Shelly Rosenberg, Susan Wintersteen and Laurence Carr and trend-setting editors from Houzz, Metropolis, and Green Builder Media. This year promises to be the largest and most dynamic yet, with the return of daily hosts that will include well-known design influencers Michel Smith Boyd, Julee Ireland and Alena Capra.

“Three full days of programming on NEXTStage will give KBIS attendees insight into the kitchen and bath’s most critical topics and trends as well as look into the future, thanks to some of our industry’s brightest minds,” said Suzie Williford, EVP & chief strategy officer for NKBA.

Four tracks will shape the NEXTStage schedule, each with targeted programming that will include panels, keynote speakers in the Disruptor Series, and the inaugural Visionaries, Innovators & Icons segments, a fireside chat format with key industry personalities. Attendees will have the opportunity to dive into the latest industry shifts and strategies through the Business and Trends Track sponsored by Monogram; shape the future of eco-conscious design through the Sustainability Track sponsored by Moen; explore the intersection of design and well-being in the Wellness Track; and uncover the tech innovations driving the kitchen and bath design world forward in Technology Track sponsored by Emtek.

The NEXTStage will also be the place to discover the latest and greatest of KBIS, featuring five award ceremonies — Best of KBIS, NKBA 30s Choice Awards, Best Booth, DesignBites, and Kickstarter. Also featured is the NKBA | KBIS Daily Trends update sponsored by Ferguson Bath Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

NEXTStage programming highlights include:

● Panel – Designhounds Presents: A Different Kind of Wellness – Return to Purpose. February 27 at 11:00am
This transformative exploration of wellness in design, moderated by Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media and founder of Designhounds, will tackle the next step in wellness conversations. Panelists Susan Wintersteen, Savvy Giving by Design; Rachel Cannon, Rachel Cannon Limited; and Janine Aurichio, YES2YUM Life Styling, will discuss a purpose-driven approach to wellness through every stage of the design process.

● Panel – Low Impact is a Good Thing: The Latest Initiatives in Low-Carbon Design. February 27 at 4:00pm
Moderated by Avinash Rajagopal, Editor In Chief, Metropolis Magazine, this panel will provide practical insights on reducing carbon impact with the goal of promoting circular design practices. Amanda Gunawan, OWIU (Only Way Is Up); Laurence Carr, Laurence Carr, Inc.; and Megan Thompson, greenList, will discuss and answer questions about material choices, energy-efficient technologies and the development of criteria for decision-making on when to renovate and when to preserve.

● Disruptor Series – Neurodiverse Universe: You’re Ignoring 96% of Your Clients. February 28 at 10:00am
Shelly Rosenberg, Shelly Rosenberg Studio LLC, will offer next-level theories on inclusive design and its impact on human health and well-being. Hear directly from this pioneer of adaptive design, who draws from her personal experience to innovate solutions that improve the quality of life for a family adapting to autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, sensory issues and other unique needs.

● Panel – Hard Truths and Tough Love: Leadership Through Challenging Times. February 28 at 11:00am
LuAnn Nigara, Owner, LuAnn Nigara Inc., will host a panel featuring Marine Sargsyan, Houzz; Garrison Hullinger, Studio Garrison; and Gina D’Amore Bauerle, D’Amore Interiors/Design Boss, who will each provide valuable insights into the hard truths that define leadership during challenging times and the tough love required to ensure businesses not only survive but thrive in the face of adversity.

● Panel – The Complete Healthy Home: How to Impact Your Clients’ Vitality. February 28 at 1:00pm
NEXTStage host Julee Ireland of Julee Ireland Designs and Home Renovation School will lead an exploration of the fusion of design and wellness principles that enhance not only aesthetics but also the overall health of living spaces. From biophilic design and lighting strategies to acoustics and ergonomics, panelists Anita Yokota, author of Home Therapy; Cara Newhart, Never Skip Brunch; and Natalie Biles, Shine Interior Design Studio, will guide the audience through a mindful and personalized approach to design that positively impacts clients’ physical and mental well-being.

● Panel – All in on AI: Making Friends with the Latest Tools and Technology. February 28 at 2:00pm
Embrace AI-driven design — and the benefits it will bring to your business — with moderator Andrew Lane, co-founder digby; Interior Design Metaverse Architecture & Design Awards, and panelists Will Zhang, Emtek, Morgan Molitor, construction2style, and Jenna Gaidusek, AI for Interior Designer, Jenna Gaidusek Designs. Audiences will discover how machine learning is reshaping the creative process, client presentations, trend forecasting, personalized customer experiences and smart home integration.

● Panel – Drops of Impact: The Crucial Role Water Plays in Sustainable Futures. February 28 at 3:00pm
Water is a finite and essential resource, and its careful management is fundamental to sustainable home design. Sponsored by Moen and moderated by Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media LLC, this panel will prove that sustainability and style can coexist harmoniously and demonstrate how new technology and innovations can help homeowners use water more responsibly. Featured speakers include Mark-Hans Richer, Moen; Christoph Lohr, IAPMO; and Ginger Rabe, Ginger Rabe Designs, LLC.

All NEXTStage programming is included with KBIS registration. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click here.

Photo credit: Courtesy Emerald