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Make the Design + Tech Connection!

October 28, 2019

Design + Tech Connection, a special event powered by NKBA, KBB and CE Pro magazines, will unite design pros and home tech integrators on Dec. 11, 2019, at Convene in New York, for a one-day conference, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The brightest and most provocative minds across two converging segments — design and technology — will offer short, conversational TED-style talks and panels to inspire collaboration and partnerships among brands, specifiers and installers. Registration is open, click here to reserve your spot and purchase tickets at $129 per person. NKBA members may find a discount code in their emails or email Member Relations at info@nkba.org.

“Residential consumers continue to demand more complex, seamless design integration in their homes,” said Bill Darcy, CEO, NKBA. “Our NKBA 2018 and 2019 Kitchen and Bath Tech Awareness & Usage market research studies confirm consumer desire and willingness to adopt better, faster and more complex whole-home integration systems. They are looking for trusted professionals from the design, construction and tech integration spheres to work closely together, for harmonious design and installation of these systems.”

Programming for the conference, which is sponsored by Sub-Zero Wolf Cove and Control4, will educate the kitchen, bath and interior design and building communities about the rapid evolution of this sector, and how to design connected residential spaces with confidence and authority.

The agenda includes a keynote address on “Beauty, Neuroscience and Architecture: Timeless Patterns and Their Impact on Our Well-Being,” delivered by Architect Don Ruggles of Ruggles Mabe Architects. He’ll discuss the vital difference beauty makes in our lives and how it impacts our health, and call for new efforts to emphasize beauty, architecture and art in the environment.

Sessions will focus on the “Business of Lighting,” presented by David Van Wert, VanWert Technology Design, and David Warfel, David K Warfel Lighting Design, who will discuss technical and hardware aspects of lighting as well as the role it plays in design and mood; in “Smart Wellness — Technology Strengthens Connections to Nature,” Julie Jacobson, founding editor of CE Pro, will talk about the benefits of connecting with nature and minimizing the effects of the manmade environment; a “Design + Tech Case Studies and Best Practices Panel” will be moderated by Jason Knott, chief content officer of CE Pro, and Chelsie Butler, executive editor of KBB; “How to Discuss DIY & Other Smart Home Trends (like Hacking) with Your Clients,” will cover such topics as voice control, centralized interface/control, lighting, shades, home networks, assuaging fears about hacking and security and more.

The luncheon presenter will be Luis Serrano, chief fun officer of Fundamentals of Play, who will discuss team building in “Authentic Networking: Leading through Giving” in an interactive exercise.

The agenda also includes work-session roundtables, cocktails and networking during matched meals, breaks and cocktails with invited design and construction professionals, integrators, installers, owners and brand executives. The future is already here… be a part of it. Join us Dec. 11 at Convene, 117 West 46th Street, New York, 8:30 am to 5 pm.