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Why Saying Yes to the Home Show Stage Is Good for Your Design Business

By Selina Zwolsman posted 18-11-2025 10:07 PM

  

We’re thrilled to be partnering again with our good friends at the Home Show in 2026, where we’ll help curate a comprehensive speaking program. We’ll soon be seeking expressions of interest for Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, and we encourage Members to keep an eye on their inboxes. In this feature, we highlight how public speaking can boost your profile, foster trust, and position you as the expert consumers seek, and we hope it will motivate you to step forward.

Ready to go now?

CHECK THE SHOW DATES BELOW AND REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE.

Show Dates
Brisbane | 6–8 March 2026
Sydney | 6–8 March 2026
Melbourne | 17–19 April 2026
Perth | 5–7 June 2026
Melbourne | 21–23 August 2026
Brisbane | 11–13 September 2026
Sydney | 9–11 October 2026 

For many designers, the thought of stepping onto a stage—spotlights on, microphone live—sits somewhere between mildly uncomfortable and truly terrifying. But for those willing to take the leap, presenting at the Home Show can be one of the most rewarding and strategic moves for your business.

In an industry built on trust, credibility, and connection, public speaking stands as one of the most effective ways to showcase your expertise, attract your ideal clients, and strengthen your professional reputation. And when you speak on a Home Show stage—backed by the KBDi and supported by an experienced MC and production team—you’re not just giving a talk; you’re positioning yourself as a leader.

Here’s why saying ‘yes’ is worth it.

1. You’re Seen as the Expert Before You Even Say a Word
Being invited to present automatically positions you as a knowledgeable voice within the industry. Consumers attending your session are often actively planning, renovating, or researching—they arrive prepared to listen. When you share practical insights (not sales pitches), you immediately distinguish yourself from the crowd.

Note: This is why all KBDi Home Show sessions are educational rather than promotional. It builds trust fast. If you’re exhibiting at the show, you’re welcome to direct attendees to your stand afterwards—but the value you provide on stage is what earns their confidence.

2. Your Message Lives Longer Than the Presentation
The Home Show team will make every effort to film your session. When conditions allow a clean capture, your talk is shared on their social media channels—potentially reaching thousands of additional viewers.

This extends your credibility well beyond the show weekend. A single 30-minute talk can become:

  • multiple social clips
  • website content
  • ongoing proof of expertise
  • a powerful trust-building asset for future clients

Few marketing opportunities offer this much ongoing value at no cost.

3. You Gain Clarity on Your Value Proposition
Preparing a presentation makes you think more clearly: What do I want the audience to remember? What’s the one message that really counts?

Your core message becomes the backbone of your talk—used as both your introduction and conclusion. Whether your message is “Engaging a designer saves time, money, and risk” or something more specialised, repeating it strategically ensures your audience leaves with the exact insight you intended.

This clarity reaches well beyond the stage and into your client discussions, marketing efforts, and confidence.

4. You Build Speaking Skills You Can Use Everywhere
Public speaking is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

The KBDi x Home Show format sets you up for success:

  • 15 minutes bump-in + MC introduction
  • 30 minutes of dedicated speaking time
  • 15 minutes of moderated Q&A
  • a supportive MC to keep things flowing (our good mate, James Treble, is a superstar in his Home Show MC role)
  • a prepared stage with lectern, laptop, clicker, and microphone
  • an AV team to assist
  • a clear expectation that you arrive 15 minutes early to get settled

You’re never alone on stage—the structure is built to help you feel confident and in control.

5. You Strengthen Your Brand With Professional, Polished Visuals
Every presenter uses the official KBDi PowerPoint template, ensuring a consistent, professional look. 

To make your visuals shine, we will encourage you to:

  • choose high-quality images
  • credit designers when using work that isn’t your own
  • minimise text (use slides as prompts, not scripts)
  • keep your full speaking notes in the Notes section or on printed cards
  • stick to standard fonts to avoid resizing issues on the exhibition computer

The result? A polished, engaging presentation that enhances—not distracts from—your message.

6. You Connect Deeply With Highly Motivated Consumers
The 15-minute Q&A session is often where the magic happens. Attendees ask real questions about their projects, giving you:

  • insight into consumer pain points
  • opportunities to demonstrate your problem-solving skills
  • a natural pathway to continue the conversation offstage

People hire designers they trust—and nothing builds trust like a real-time exchange.

7. It’s One of the Most Cost-Effective Marketing Opportunities You’ll Ever Receive
By stepping on the stage at your local Home Show, you’ll get:

  • marketing exposure
  • a filmed asset (when possible)
  • access to an audience of high-intent prospects
  • industry recognition
  • and a valuable authority marker you can reuse for years

All without a sponsorship fee or advertising spend.

Ready to Step Up?
Public speaking isn’t just about delivering information—it’s about exposing your brand, strengthening your credibility, and connecting with consumers who genuinely value expertise.

If you’ve been on the fence about speaking at the Home Show, consider this your nudge. With the right preparation, a clear message, and support from the KBDi team, it could be one of the most strategic decisions you make for your business in 2026.

Have we talked you into it?

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE.

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