The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is now accepting speaker submissions for NEXTStage and the LUXURY Lounge, the two destinations where the industry gathers to trade ideas and shape what comes next. The KBIS Podcast Studio is also seeking its own lineup of industry voices to record live on the show floor.
As KBIS heads back to Las Vegas, the show will stage three days of robust and enriching conversations at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 2-4.
Organizers of show programming are looking for speakers who are qualified subject matter experts who can provide meaningful insights regarding a variety of industry topics. The goal is that the show’s panels provide thought-provoking and nuanced discussions that inspire and motivate today’s industry professionals.
Last year’s edition set a high bar, with NEXTStage headlined by designers and television personalities Taniya Nayak, Jennifer Bertrand, and Mikel Welch, and sessions across both stages moderated by top editors from Forbes, Metropolis, Good Housekeeping, and Traditional Home. Now, the focus turns to the next group of design leaders and original thinkers who will command the stage in Las Vegas.
KBIS organizers are actively looking for NEXTStage speakers who have expertise regarding the following tracks:
- Whole Home: A look at how thoughtful design carries through the entire home, connecting the kitchen and bath to the spaces around them.
- Business & Buzz: The bold takes, market intelligence, and hot topics industry leaders are debating right now, from the trends and launches making noise to where the business is really heading.
- Technology: The tools reshaping the craft, from artificial intelligence to the newest advances in the connected home.
- Wellness & Sustainability: Design for living well and building responsibly, from restorative spaces to healthier, longer-lasting materials.
The LUXURY Lounge stands apart as its own destination, with programming devoted entirely to setting the standard at the highest end of kitchen and bath. Its panels and fireside chats dig into what luxury means today and where it’s headed next—the materials redefining craft, the trends shaping high-end taste, and the realities of designing for the most discerning clients. Last year, the Lounge brought designers together for sessions ranging from carving out a niche to building a digital presence in luxury design.
Now in its third year, the KBIS Podcast Studio brings industry conversations to a live recording booth right on the show floor, covering everything from luxury and the whole home to AI and the business of design. New this year, applicants can submit to participate in the KBIS Podcast Studio. Designers who host their own industry podcast can opt in on the application for the opportunity to record an episode live from KBIS.
Professionals with real expertise in one of these areas are welcome to apply here to be considered for a place on NEXTStage, the LUXURY Lounge, the KBIS Podcast Studio, or all of the above. Candidates will be evaluated on their expertise in the architecture and design community, speaking experience, social media presence, and ability to deliver a fresh, memorable point of view suited to the track.
The application window is open through October 2, 2026. Anyone who knows a colleague who would be a stronger fit can send that person’s name to the team at [email protected] with the subject line “KBIS Speaker” and a note regarding their qualifications and relevant experience. Professional circuit speakers may not be considered.
Exhibiting brands and their collaborators are encouraged to take part as well, and both stages have room for strong ideas. Anyone employed by an exhibiting company should connect with their KBIS Sales Representative to explore the options. For detailed sponsorship information, click here.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS). With 55,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, NKBA has informed, educated, and supported the industry since the association was founded in 1963. Its mission is to inspire, lead, and empower the kitchen and bath industry through community, professional certification and learning, and events.
About the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is North America’s largest trade show for residential design and specification. KBIS brings together more than 600 exhibitors across over 500,000 net sq. ft. More than 55,000 designers, builders, architects, remodelers, dealers, and specifiers convene at KBIS each year.
 is now accepting speaker submissions for NEXTStage and the LUXURY Lounge, the two destinations where the industry gathers to trade ideas and shape what comes next. The KBIS Podcast Studio is also seeking its own lineup of industry voices to record live on the show floor.){kind=link}