IWF 2012: Come for Tech, Stay for Fun
U.S. Wood Industry Gets an Opportunity

A major draw for the International Woodworking Fair, Aug. 25-28 in Atlanta, is the opportunity to learn.

But people learn in different ways - some by watching, some by reading, others by doing.

One of the ways I learn is by conversation. It looks a lot like standing around and talking, but I am really listening, and learning - maybe during a tour of a woodworking operation, or over dinner with a CNC manufacturer or on the phone with a 3D software developer.

So if you have been hesitating about registering for the IWF 2010 show, fearful, perhaps of dreary tutorials, just remember, you are not required to do anything in particular at IWF 2010, once you've registered for the show.

If your way of learning is wandering around and stopping spontaneously to take a closer look at whatever catches your eye - you're welcome to do that.  Or if you want to register for a paid woodworking seminar, or take in a free Exhibinar (American Express OPEN has a couple of these), you're free to do that, too. It's free as well, as long as you have an IWF show badge.

WoodworkingNetwork.com is presenting a free  briefing on "Optimizing Your Website for SEO and eMarketing." It's at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 at our booth #2224. The presentation is by Vance Publishing VP eMedia, Dean Horowitz.

Each day at our booth, one or more of our editors (Rich Christianson, Karen Koenig, Michaelle Bradford and yours truly) will be there at Booth # 2224  from 4:30-5:00 p.m.

There are purely social-professional designated gathering points each evening after the show closes at 5:00 p.m. The Architectural Woodwork Institute has set up a meeting point at Meehan's Irish Pub, 180 Peachtree Street, Atlanta. Friends (that means you) of Custom Woodworking Business, Wood & Wood Products, CLOSETS, and www.woodworkingnetwork.com  are invited to join us at our meeting point. (We're co-locating with AWI.) If you tell us you're coming, we'll spring for appetizers on Wednesday August 25 and Friday August 27 between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., for IWF show badge holders.

The Cabinet Makers Association will be staging three events - a banquet, a plant tour, and a workshop - some open only to members.

The Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Assn. will hold the Pinchot awards ceremony at its booth # 1670 on Friday, Aug. 27.

From the International Woodworking Fair's first-night Aug. 25 Aquarium reception, to Atlanta's rich cultural attractions: come for the tech, stay for the fun.

Here's an International Woodworking Fair coupon that will save you money on food and entertainment (this links to the list; the picture links to the coupon.)

Of course, with the exciting technology and the vast  on hand fields of supplies, you're going to want to spend time surveying the hundreds of thousands of square feet of IWF's mammoth exhibition halls.

But plan to network, to meet up with your peers and exploring the opportunities and support provided by numerous industry associations. Because IWF can provide value in the many ways that you prefer to gain knowledge. And have some fun, too - man lives not by wood alone.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.