Inspired by Woodworking Network’s 40 Under 40 program, the Under 40 Leadership Conference is aimed at current and future woodworking industry leaders and any executive who wants to get up to speed with the latest in technology, management and marketing in today’s fast changing business environment.  Sponsored by Hexagon and Timber Products.  Moderated by Harry Urban, publisher of Woodworking Network.

Time:  Tuesday, July 16, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pricing: $350 early bird thru June 27, $420 regular  

Under 40 Leadership Conference Schedule

9:00 a.m. Keynote:  Leadership Matters -- Guy Bucey, Director of Operations for Inova LLC, is a decorated Marine who served two deployments in Iraq. 

Guy Bucey

After retiring from the military, he took up woodworking as a therapeutic hobby and even entertained the idea of starting his own custom cabinetry business. In the fall of 2015, with the prospects of increased sales and rapid growth coming to Inova’s near future, Guy decided it was time for the Inova team and himself to adopt and fully embrace the Lean Manufacturing philosophy and all that goes with it.

10:15 a.m. The Connected Factory/Industry 4.0 -- Georg Frey, president of Lignum Consulting, will discuss how The Connected Factory will transform the woodworking and furniture industries as it will all other industries.

Georg Frey

11:15 a.m. Digital marketing and the new consumer -- Hear from three young pros at the top of their game on all aspects of digital marketing.  Social media.  Panelists include Jeff Finney, Principal, Ultimate Cabinet Components; David Biggs, Digital Media Manager, Woodworking Network; and Ezra Drissman, marketing specialist.

Noon -- LUNCH

1:15 p.m. Workforce Strategies-- The lack of skilled and unskilled labor is among the most dominant issues plaguing the wood manufacturing industry. Panel discussion will include the results of Woodworking Network’s latest research findings and analysis and case studies of companies that are successfully dealing with the labor shortage.

Whitney Pyle

Panel includes Robert Dalheim, editor, Woodworking Network; Jason Dingess, president, Quis Machinery; and Whitney Pyle, COO of Advanced Cabinet Systems and others.

2:30 p.m.  The shape of things to come – Smart factories, Manufacturing Execution Systems, industrial exoskeletons, and exotic new materials and manufacturing techniques are just a few of the subjects that will be addressed by a panel that looks at short- and long-term trends in the woodworking industry. Panel includes Ben Harrington, suitX and Jonah Coleman, Wilkie Sanderson and Paul Losavio, Hexagon.   Moderated by Harry Urban.

3:30 p.m. – 5p.m. 40 under 40 leadership panel: Woodworking Network’s 40 under 40 award recognizes those individuals that have made a difference in their careers, their companies, their communities and to the industry.  Benchmarks include productivity, profitability, social good, innovation, peer inspiration, product development and organizational leadership. This illustrious panel, made up of members of the Class of 2019 and alumni, will address their leadership journey and offer insights into the future of the industry.

Followed by the Woodworking Network Leadership Reception at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., which introduces the Woodworking Network 40 under 40 Class of 2019.  All July 16 program registrations include education sessions, lunch and Woodworking Network Leadership Reception.  The 40 Under 40 Leadership Reception is sponsored by Timber Products and Hexagon.