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KBIS 2026 Announces Stellar Lineup For NEXTStage and LUXURY Lounge
February 17 @ 8:00 am - February 19 @ 5:00 pm
Taniya Nayak, Jennifer Bertrand, and Mikel Welch will Headline NEXTStage Orlando, Florida – February 17-19, 2026
The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) has announced its three hosts for NEXTStage (South Hall S28201), the dynamic show space where attendees find key insights, today’s leaders, and valuable takes that are driving the industry forward. With robust programming divided into brand new tracks for fresh, current content, each day will feature a different host to lend their unique approach and guide the stage.
Day One, February 17: Taniya Nayak has been regularly featured as host and interior designer on HGTV, including Battle on the Beach and Build It Forward and is on the next season of Rock the Block. She is also featured on 23 seasons of Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible and ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. A native of India, this Boston-based designer is known for creating hot new restaurants and high-end residential projects all over the U.S.. Taniya successfully owns her design firm Taniya Nayak Design, Inc based in Boston and is co-owner of several restaurants in the Boston area with her husband, Brian O’Donnell.
Day Two, February 18: Jennifer Bertrand, winner of HGTV’s Design Star (with over 5 million viewers), is known for her down-to-earth, creative approach to design that makes beautiful spaces achievable for everyone. She also won Angie’s List’s first “Sleep Sanctuary” contest inspired by Arianna Huffington’s “The Sleep Revolution.” Through her design firm, Jennifer works with Ronald McDonald House Charities collaborating with the NFL, MLB, and MLS, and designs projects around the world—from Chicago to Costa Rica. She was on Monogram’s first Design Council, a past NKBA insider, and is the designer on Lifetime’s Military Makeover with Montel Williams, honoring veterans through home transformations. And is currently working on a 30-room palazzo in Italy.
Day Three, February 19: Mikel Welch is an Emmy Award winning interior designer, set decorator, and television personality known for creating layered, character-filled spaces that feel collected over time. Based in Los Angeles, his work blends classic European influence with warmth and livability. He is the design expert on Netflix’s Hack My Home and a regular on The Drew Barrymore Show. In October 2025, he released his debut book, The Forever Home, with Clarkson Potter and Penguin Random House. Mikel is also the founder of Mikel Welch Home, a high end vintage and antiques brand with a showroom at 200 Lexington Avenue in New York City.
This year, NEXTStage debuts new categories that reflect the evolving design landscape, including the crucial role that kitchens and baths play in the context of the entire home, and a growing need to consider our bodies, our minds, and the planet with each design decision. This year’s tracks are:
-Whole Home sponsored by High Point Market Authority: Explore the aesthetics, flow, and functionality that connect spaces together, ensuring the whole home feels like part of a cohesive vision.
-Business & Buzz: Tackle the issues shaping the industry’s future, from resiliency and real estate to firm growth and branding strategies.
-Technology: Look at the tools and innovations that matter most today, from discreet connected systems to emerging applications of AI.
-Wellness & Sustainability: From biophilic design and circular materials to the movement toward slow, intentional living, these sessions showcase how designers can meet rising consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable environments without sacrificing beauty or performance.
A full NEXTStage schedule, punctuated by KBIS hallmarks including NKBA Thirty Under 30, Innovation Hour, Best of KBIS Awards, and Best Booth can be found on KBIS.com, where attendees can organize their show schedules with ease.
A full schedule for NEXTStage programming is HERE and LUXURY Lounge HERE.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the largest kitchen and bath show in North America. With nearly 55,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath design and remodeling industry, NKBA has educated and advised the industry since it was founded in 1963. The NKBA’s mission is to inspire and support the kitchen and bath industry through community, events, learning, and professional certifications. For more information, visit www.nkba.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522). KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
About Emerald
KBIS is produced by Emerald. Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit: www.emeraldx.com