DesignPoint: A New Approach to Connection, Education and Industry Growth

Held at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California, DesignPoint introduced an exciting new concept for the residential design community. The inaugural event marked a collaboration between NKBA/KBIS and FORGE, bringing design professionals and suppliers together in a format created to encourage more meaningful conversation, education, and connection.

Rather than the scale and pace of a traditional trade show, DesignPoint offered something intentionally more curated. A select group of industry professionals was invited to attend, and each of us was matched with suppliers based on interests we had identified in advance. Over the course of three days, that structure gave us an opportunity to learn about products and capabilities that were directly relevant to our businesses while building relationships in a much more personal setting.

A More Personal Way to Connect

The format was one of the things that made DesignPoint so valuable.

We began with small-group presentations from a carefully selected group of suppliers, followed by opportunities to schedule private, one-on-one conversations with the companies most relevant to our individual needs and interests.

Some were companies I already knew and had relationships with, while others were completely new to me. In both cases, the smaller setting allowed for conversations that went well beyond a traditional product introduction. We could ask specific questions, discuss capabilities, and better understand how these resources might support our work and our clients.

One of my biggest takeaways was realizing just how many opportunities there were to build relationships with real, long-term value.

An Experience Designed With Intention

From the moment we arrived, the experience itself felt thoughtfully considered.

The event began with dinner under the stars, creating a relaxed environment for casual networking, reconnecting with longtime industry friends and meeting new colleagues before the formal programming began.

The following morning, we divided into our preselected groups and began sessions planned specifically around our areas of interest. The pacing of the agenda was equally important. Rather than moving immediately from one presentation to the next, time was intentionally built in for private follow-up meetings and deeper conversations.

That balance of structured education and personalized attention kept the focus on business growth while still allowing relationships to develop naturally.

Access to the People Behind the Brands

Another particularly valuable part of DesignPoint was the level of expertise represented by the participating companies.

The professionals we met with were senior-level representatives who could speak knowledgeably about their products, capabilities, and businesses. Questions could be addressed directly, and conversations could move quickly from general introductions into the details that matter when evaluating a resource for future projects.

Those relationships did not end when the event did. Since returning to New York, I have continued to receive follow-up and engage with many of the companies I met in Carlsbad.

For me, that is one of the clearest measures of the event's success. DesignPoint created an environment where education and connection could blend seamlessly, but it also created opportunities for those conversations to continue long after everyone returned home.

Building Community Beyond the Meetings

Of course, some of the most meaningful industry connections happen outside the formal sessions.

The final evening brought everyone together again in a lighter, festive atmosphere,

beginning with cocktails alfresco followed by a beautiful dinner. We were even treated to an incredible performance by magician and mentalist Mat O'Neill.

It was a wonderful way to end three days filled with new information, new resources, and new relationships.

Design is an industry built on connection. The relationships we develop with manufacturers, suppliers, fellow designers, and industry organizations strengthen the work we are able to bring to our clients. Creating opportunities to have those conversations in a thoughtful, focused environment benefits everyone involved.

It was an honor to be included among the industry professionals invited to experience this inaugural DesignPoint event. Congratulations and thank you to NKBA/KBIS, FORGE, the participating sponsors and suppliers, and everyone behind the scenes who brought this new concept to life.

I came home with new knowledge, new relationships, and plenty of ideas for what comes next. I highly recommend the experience and look forward to seeing how DesignPoint continues to grow.