KBIS 2022 – The Design Milk X Modenus Talks Lounge

As our ever so wise, Modenus Media CEO always says “The answer is already in the room, it’s our job to ask the right questions” and with that we are proud to announce our fifth Design Milk X Modenus Talks lounge at KBIS- a dynamic partnership between digital powerhouse Design Milk and our very own Modenus Media, the mothership behind Designhounds, Design-Uncut and the KBI Group on Facebook.

The Design Milk X Modenus Talks lounge is all about dialog and about hearing from the community so our focus is on conversations between our panelists, our presenters, our sponsors and our audiences – at the show and later on-demand. Please join us live at KBIS or tune in remotely for on-demand listening – just bookmark this page and you’ll find all recordings within hours of the live event.

Check out the programming below for KBIS 2022 and PLEASE NOTE that catered events require reservations:

Feb 8 – 9:15AM

How to Be Found: Simple Search Engine Optimization for Designers and Brands – Presented by Nicole Heymer at Glory & Brand

Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite

Do you know that your website is the only piece of digital real estate that you actually own? All other social platforms are subject to algorithm changes, freemium business models, and simply at the discretion of the companies that own them. Learn from web design guru Nicole Heymer of Glory & Brand what it takes to optimize your website, your content, and search engine strategy in order to stay in control of your digital footprint.

Feb 8 – 10:30AM Design Business Track

Lock Down Your Systems to Succeed in 2022 – Presented by LuAnn Nigara

Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite

Processes and systems are important to every business, whether you are a kitchen and bath designer, interior designer or a web designer. Business is business and well-run businesses have systems in place. But, the current global economy has wreaked havoc on the home industry businesses, so systems are more critical than ever. Join, LuAnn Nigara, as she outlines the 3 non-negotiable systems you need to up level and streamline, now, in order to be successful in this new business climate.

Feb 8 – 12:00PM

Design-Uncut BrandTalks: Beko Appliances

Sponsored by Beko Appliances

It’s time to re-imagine what the American Kitchen is and should be – a true intersection of personal and planetary health. This intimate conversation aims to serve as a resource to designers and builders who wish to offer their clients ways to accomplish a healthier, more sustainable kitchen and home by the fastest growing and most sustainable home appliance brand in the U.S. Join Modenus Media CEO Veronika Miller in conversation with Beko Home Appliances President and 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame Inductee Zach Elkin.

Feb 8 – 12:30PM Prioritizing Health and Wellness – How to get your clients to demand better products

Sponsored by Beko Appliances

As an industry we all expect health and wellness centric product sales to skyrocket in times like these, but what are consumers actually asking for? Have health and wellness indeed become a main priority or is there a disconnect and do we have the tools and the language to present these products correctly during a sales pitch? This conversation offers takeaways for designers and specifiers to improve their sales techniques and kickstart a different, perhaps more meaningful relationship with their clients. Join Modenus Media CEO Veronika Miller and Sustainability & Wellbeing Director at Spring Architecture, Megan Mazzocco

Feb 8 – 2:00PM Design-Uncut BrandTalks

Moen: The Invisible Smart Home

Sponsored by Moen

The smart home of the future is one where tech integrates so seamlessly into our life that it becomes second nature. The most successful technology anticipates our needs, does what it sets out to do without constant hiccups, and has a true purpose. During this Brand Talk, Moen will discuss the invisible smart home and how our home water tech can be designed to let us know when something goes wrong, help us monitor usage for planning, and allow us to proactively take conservation measures into our own hands.

Feb 8 – 3:00PM Design Milk Trend Talks:

2022 Trends – Personalization, Biophilia, Tech + More

Sponsored by Cafe Appliances

Is Veri Peri here to stay? Does Alexa have an expiration date? From tech trends to hot color palettes, Jaime Derringer of Design Milk and a panel of experts take a deep dive into what’s new and what’s next. Moderator: Jaime Derringer, Design Milk Panelists: TK Wismer, Designer; Alex Capecelatro, CEO, Josh.ai; Kelly Finley, Founder and Principal Designer, Joy Street Design

Feb 9 – 9:15AM

Top Tips For Acquiring The Right Website Traffic For 24/7 Revenue Generation and New Client Acquisition – Presented by Leslie Carothers of Savour Partnership

Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite

Acquiring the right consumer website traffic is not as easy as it used to be. Get top tips on what you need to know and do in 2022 to acquire more of the right consumer website traffic in order to make your online products and new client acquisition activities financially successful.

Feb 9 – 10:30AM Design Business Track

Money Talks! Multiple Income Streams – In your local business and online – Presented by Claire Jefford

Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite

Life is unpredictable…ya think? Always be a step ahead! Refine your services to expand beyond just one or two types of offerings in your local business. This will allow you the opportunity to pivot as needed, and not rely too heavily on one way of earning money when the market inevitably changes. To be super selective with client projects, prepare for further financial stability by exploring online revenue streams options. How can you bring value to a wider audience and make passive income? Let me share with you my story on how I’ve implemented this strategy with outstanding results.

Feb 9 – 12:30PM

Sustainability – Don’t talk about it, integrate it!

Sponsored by Beko Appliances

We know, we’ve been talking about Sustainability for years and clients usually run away screaming when we do. Here’s a Tip: Don’t even mention it, integrate it! In every project and in every client onboarding process – integrating sustainable practices from the get go is good for the planet and for the people that live on it – and if that doesn’t get you excited, it’s good for your business success because it increases your value as a design pro. Join moderator Modenus Media CEO Veronika Miller in conversation with Laurence Carr, Founder and CEO: Laurence Carr Inc; Steve Feldman, CEO Renovation Angel; Sustainability & Wellbeing Director at Spring Architecture, Megan Mazzocco

Feb 9 – 1:45PM Design-Uncut: Home Technology Panel

THINK BIG! Understanding whole-home technology to optimize your K&B Projects

Sponsored by Control 4

Trends reported by the NKBA, NAHB, and others show a strong increase in tech adoption in the kitchen and bath, but, do you know enough about today’s tech to successfully guide your clients and incorporate the right kind of tech into your designs? Don’t panic! You don’t need to be a tech expert but do need to know what to listen for, ask, and where to find the right resources to bring it all together. Don’t let tech be a barrier but rather, a breakthrough opportunity in 2022 (and beyond)! Join moderator and KMB Communications CEO Katye McGregor Bennett in conversation with Jen Mallett, Owner, Level Up Your Home; Jamie Briesemeister, Owner, Integration Controls; Gordon Van Zuiden, Owner, cyberManor

Feb 9 – 3:00PM Design Milk Trend Talks:

How Lifestyle and Societal Trends Impact K&B Design

Sponsored by Neolith

Find out how societal, economic and social shifts affect interior design, architecture and more in this anthropological discussion that will highlight the most impactful macro trends on design—both current and future.

Moderator: Jaime Derringer, Chief Creative Officer, Design Milk

Panelists:
Breegan Jane, Designer and Lifestyle Expert
Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC, Wellness Design Consultant and Author
Lisa Wirth, Interior Designer, and Head of Design + Trade, Beam

Feb 10 – 9:15AM

TikTok for Interior Design? You better believe it!

Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite

Social platforms are all about the early adopters and Tiktok is no different. Please join Modenus Media COO Florence von Pelet and KMB Communications CEO Katye McGregor Bennett in a conversation with Kitchen Designer extraordinaire and TikTok Superstar Sarah Robertson, Principal of Studio Dearborn. Sarah will share her insights into her Tiktok strategies and her rationale for and experiences with using TikTok for her business.

Feb 10 – 10:30AM Design Business Track

Metaverse and Non-Fungible-Tokens??? What on Earth are those and why should you care?

Sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite

Is the future really here? What is the Metaverse, what are non-fugible tokens or NFT’s? Why are people making money on all of this – or HOW are they making money on it? And most of all, why should you care or not care? Here to talk about it is digital media visionary Leslie Carothers, principal of Savour Partnership, in conversation with KMB Communications CEO Katye McGregor Bennett and CCO of Design Milk, Jaime Derringer