Inside the Appliance Innovation Summit 2025: A Day of Design, Demos, and a Few Secrets

Why This Event Matters

On Thursday, October 9, the Appliance Innovation Summit returns as the design event in New England. It’s part trade show, part culinary festival, and part insider preview.

Think continuing education meets a backstage pass. You’ll earn CEUs in the morning while diving into topics that expand your knowledge and sharpen your projects.

In the afternoon, you’ll taste food from five different chefs — each cooking on the appliances they know best. And you’ll get a rare sneak peek at products that won’t hit the market for months, maybe even years.

And we only have one rule: no photos in the “secret rooms.”

Morning: Earn CEUs and Fuel Up

Check in starts at 8:30 with coffee and a light breakfast. From 9 to noon, you’ll rotate through accredited CEU sessions covering everything from sustainable building to color psychology to the role of AI in design.

These aren’t dry lectures — each session is built to give you practical takeaways you can apply right away on your next project.

A sample of topics:

• Building Sustainably at Every Step
• The Art of Food Preservation
• The Modern Outdoor Kitchen
• Kitchen Workstations That Actually Work

The most popular sessions fill quickly, so plan on arriving on time and grabbing your seat. You can even download the AIS app on your phone for more information.

👉 Registration is free, but space is limited. Reserve your seat now to lock in CEUs, breakfast, and a morning of ideas you can use on your next project. Sign up here →

Midday: The Design Conversation

At 1:45, Boston Home editor Jaci Conry sits down with Cara Woodhouse, Jocelyn Chiappone, and Meg McSherry.

This isn’t another scripted talk with slides you’ll forget by the next day. Instead, you’ll hear real stories about pushing stylistic boundaries and building your own recognizable design brand.

You’ll also learn the secrets to keeping clients happy when their Pinterest boards collide with real-world budgets and constraints.

Bring your questions — this session is designed to be candid, interactive, and practical.

Afternoon: Chefs, Demos, and Tastings

From noon to five, the energy shifts. The show floor comes alive with hands-on product demos, chef-led tastings, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions directly at the stations.

The lineup:

• Chef Kev D (Monogram): Food Network veteran, “Steak Boss,” and A-list resume.
• Chef Paul Wahlberg (BlueStar): Dorchester native, Alma Nove owner, Italian–Mediterranean flair.
• Chef Saba Wahid Duffy (Thermador): Food Network Chopped Grand Champion and induction expert.
• Chef Vanessa Ali (Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove): Seasonal, sustainability-minded, Latin American storytelling.
• Chef Steve Shipley (DCS): Yale’s own resident chef — equal parts educator and entertainer.

Each chef is paired with a brand, showcasing what these appliances can really do when pushed to their limits. From 800-degree pizzas to perfectly steamed vegetables, you’ll see (and taste) the difference.

👉 Don’t miss your chance to connect. From chef-led tastings to hands-on product demos, this is where design meets innovation. Seats are filling quickly — sign up here today →

Behind Closed Doors: The “Secret Rooms”

Not everything at the Appliance Innovation Summit is out on the floor. A select group will be invited into the “secret rooms,” where prototypes and unreleased products are waiting.

These are appliances you won’t find online, in showrooms, or even in catalogs for months — sometimes years. Getting a look now means you’ll be ahead of the curve when it comes time to design your next project.

The manufacturers have just one rule: no photos or video. These previews are meant for your eyes only.

Networking That Matters

The sessions and demos are valuable, but many attendees say the best part of the Summit is the networking. You’ll be surrounded by bright, like-minded professionals — architects, designers, builders, and developers who face the same challenges you do.

It’s a chance to trade techniques, share lessons learned, and pick up strategies that don’t show up in textbooks or CEU slides. You’ll walk away not just with credits and product knowledge, but with new connections and ideas to apply in your own projects.

What You’ll Walk Away With

• CEUs in one morning.
• Firsthand product knowledge. Touch, test, and ask questions directly to brand specialists.
• Design inspiration. From both the panel and the show floor.
• Networking. Real conversations with peers who know the same challenges you face.
• A few new recipes. Because nothing sticks like food memories.
• And maybe a few secrets you can’t share yet.

Final Word

The Appliance Innovation Summit isn’t just another event — it’s the event for design professionals in New England.

In one day, you’ll earn CEUs, discover new products, taste innovation from top chefs, and connect with peers who understand your challenges. Whether you’re an architect, designer, builder, or developer, this is where ideas, inspiration, and innovation come together.

Last year, nearly 400 people joined us — and this year we’re expecting an even greater turnout inside our 220,000-square-foot Norton facility. We have the space, but spots fill quickly.

📍 Thursday, October 9 | 9 AM–5 PM | 42 Leonard St, Norton, MA

👉 One day, three big wins: CEUs, networking, and food you’ll actually remember. Registration is free, but spots are limited for October 9 in Norton. Reserve Your Space Now →

A special thank you to Monogram for their partnership and support in making this event possible. Their support helps us bring together the region’s top design professionals, foster innovation, and create meaningful experiences for everyone attending.