The Cabinet Makers Association will be center stage during IWF as it hosts a number of networking and educational events for members and others involved in the cabinet industry. For more information on the CMA and its activities, visit CabinetMakers.org and also visit CabinetMakers.org/iwf-2016.
Tour woodworking shops on Tuesday
Sponsored by Stiles Machinery, the Cabinet Makers Association’s IWF 2016 plant tours will be held on Tuesday, August 23. The bus will depart from the Sheraton Atlanta at 7:00 am, and return to the hotel by 7:00 pm.
It will be a busy day, with the goal of touring five area woodworking shops. Lunch will be provided at Osborne Wood Products. A detailed itinerary will be provided to registrants closer to the event.
This is typically a very popular event and sells out quickly. The registration fee is $35 to secure your spot. Visit CabinetMakers.org/iwf-2016 for more information.
Wednesday roundtable: What’s your problem?
At IWF, the Cabinet Makers Association will host a roundtable discussion on Wednesday, August 24, in Room B316 of the Georgia World Convention Center. Entitled “What’s Your Problem?” the CMA session will begin at 5:00 pm immediately following the show.
This historically has been a very popular roundtable discussion where participants discuss challenges and learn from each other. For more information or to RSVP to the event, visit CabinetMakers.org/iwf-2016.
New for IWF 2016: Cabinetry & Closets Pavilion
The International Woodworking Fair and the Cabinet Makers Association have partnered to offer a new pavilion that will focus on companies who specialize in the cabinetry and closets industries. The intention of this pavilion is to create maximum exposure for the exhibiting companies, to bring in the builders, retailers, showrooms, distributors, architects, remodelers and general contractors who can help their business thrive.
The new Cabinetry and Closets Pavilion will be located next to the Wood Flooring and Countertop Pavilions in the Building B Exhibit Hall and consists of Booths 4036 – 4246.
In addition to the CMA, other exhibitors in the sold-out pavilion include:
• Silvermedia LLC
• HT International Development Co.
• Sauers & Company Veneer
• Degol Hardware
• Fundicion Inyectada de Centro S.A. CV
• Muebles EGGA, SA de CV
• JB Cutting Inc.
• PlusClosets
• Strutturato
• Pytha 3D CAD
• Ice Edge Business Solutions
• ClosetPro Software
• Lockdowel
• MacDonald & Owen Lumber Co.
• Cabmaster Software
• Lee’s Decorative Showcase/Dads Nails
• Canary Closets & Cabinetry
Remember to include a visit to connect with the CMA in Booth #4236. You are welcome to use our space as a place to meet up with other CMA members throughout the show.
CMA hosts IWF 2016 educational sessions
The CMA offers a wide variety of educational sessions which will take place Wednesday through Friday during the IWF 2016 Fair. What follows is a listing of the dates and times, along with a brief synopsis.
The CMA IWF seminar sessions are sponsored by KCD Software. For more information or to register for the sessions, visit IWFAtlanta.com/education/sessions.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24
Pricing for Profitability
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Speaker: David Buchsbaum, owner, Atlanta Closet & Storage Solutions
Attendees will learn to evaluate how much their company costs to run, how to price their work, and how to make a profit on every single project they bid on. Session Code: BMG17
Automating Your Shop
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Speaker: Kevin Ward, president, A-Ward Design
This session will explore the considerations and planning necessary to create a smooth transition from the perspective of a shop owner who built his business using automation from the ground up. Session Code: MFG22
CNC Tips & Tricks
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Speakers: David Buchsbaum, owner, Atlanta Closet & Storage Solutions, and Leland Thomasset, owner, Taghkanic Woodworking
Enjoy a lively panel discussion about everything related to implementing and utilizing a CNC in your shop. Panelists will candidly discuss everything from tooling to software, how a CNC will impact your shop production and new business opportunities. Session Code: MFG17
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 25
Working with Architects and Designers
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Speakers: Joe Knobbe, Senior Project Manager: Exclusive Woodworking, Inc. and Rick Thaler, President: OGB Architectural Millwork
Understanding the needs, wants and how you can be a valued partner for designers and architects, can put your company on the short list for design driven projects from these professionals. Session Code: FAU3
Transition from Residential to Commercial Woodworking
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Speakers: Joe Knobbe, Senior Project Manager, Exclusive Woodworking Inc., and Rick Thaler, President, OGB Architectural Millwork
Learn what’s involved from sales to machinery requirements to scheduling and collections, from experts in the field. Session Code: BMG19
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26
Improving Profitability through Sustainable Shop Floor Strategies
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Speaker: Greg Jansen, Director of Enhancement Technologies, Stiles Machinery
Attendees will learn unique ways to save money by implementing sustainable strategies on the shop floor. Session Code: BMG21
Surge your Sales - Tools to Automate and Manage your Sales
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Speakers: Matt Krig, President, Northland Woodworks and Dan Mosche, Succyd
Attendees at the sessionwill learn techniques to automate and motivate your sales approach using app-based software to track and manage the sales process from first contact to finished project. Session Code: MKT6
Best Hiring Practices
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Speakers: Matt Krig, President, Northland Woodworks; Jack West, Federated Insurance and Karl Rudisser, President/CEO, Blum
Learn from this lively panel discussion focused on the latest methods to recruit and keep the best employees for your shop and business. Session Code: BMG22
Succession and Exit Strategy Planning for Woodworking Businesses
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Speaker: Larry Merlin, Attorney, Friedman, Dever and Merlin, LLC
Are you nearing retirement? Is it time to Buy, Sell, or Transfer? Larry Merlin, a leading expert in the field, will talk about exit strategy valuation, selling a business, and succession planning. Session Code: BMG18
CMA announces Wood Diamond Awards
The Cabinet Makers Association will announce the winners of the 2016 Wood Diamond Awards on Thursday night, Aug. 25, during the association’s annual banquet.
The CMA awards program, dubbed the Wood Diamond Awards, was first offered to the membership in 2010 as a means for CMA members to be recognized by their peers. After the first awards ceremony was held at IWF in Atlanta that summer, the program’s results were clearly seen. Not only did this program create a means to promote excellence in woodworking and cabinetry, but the members that participated and won awards were able to use their achievement in their local marketing program to promote their respective business in their area. This created yet another benefit to membership in the CMA.
The CMA was founded on the principles of sharing one’s experiences and ideas with other members in an effort to promote success and professionalism in the woodworking/cabinetry business. This award program allows yet another outlet for that purpose to be fulfilled.
As members view each other’s work and accomplishments, ideas are exchanged and the flow of information continues. As potential clients and others view the listings, they should rest assured that all entries were provided equal grounds for participation and judging. All judging is done by non-participating members of the CMA, assuring that the results are scrutinized by professionals.
View some of the past winners online at CabinetMakers.org/wood-diamond-awards.
Member Appreciation Banquet set for Thursday
Cabinet Makers Association members are invited to join the CMA for its annual banquet. Sponsored by Federated Insurance, the CMA’s IWF 2016 Member Appreciation Banquet will be held on Thursday, August 25 in room B213 of the convention center.
The festivities will begin at 5:00 pm, immediately following the show. The evening’s agenda includes dinner, followed by the Wood Diamonds Awards ceremony. The event is free for members, but advance registration is required. To register for the event, visit CabinetMakers.org/iwf-2016.
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