Cabinet Makers Meet at Closets Expo

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August 15, 2011 | 5:41 pm CDT

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Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) co-sponsors the 2nd Annual Custom Cabinet Conf. at
Closets Expo with CWB magazine. Above, a winning entry by Mark Welling, Ipswich (MA)
Cabinetry, in CMA’s 2010 competition. (Photo: Brian Vandenbrink Photography.).

The Custom Cabinet Conference returns for its second year, co-located with the 7th Closets Conference & Expo, with dozens of exhibitors, all running Feb. 23-25, 2011 at the Charlotte, NC Convention Center. A free daily technology focused show-floor event, Wood Tech Summit, on integrated woodworking technology, debuts this year.

Co-sponsored by the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) and Custom Woodworking Business, the Custom Cabinet Conference sessions on Feb. 24-25 leverage parallel concerns among closets firms — now called “home storage solutions specialists,” reflecting their services beyond the bedroom closet, such as pantries, crafts rooms, home offices and garages.

“We’re delighted to provide educational seminars and workshops through the CMA Speaker’s Bureau,” said Dave Grulke, executive director of the CMA. “Our member’s expertise and willingness to share will be exhibited in an informational and entertaining seminar and workshop series, and we’re bound to have some fun along the way.” Brand new this year is an accreditation program that sees all Custom Cabinet Conference seminars eligible for CMA Continuing Education Credits (CEU) at the rate of one CEU per classroom hour.

One- or two-day Custom Cabinet Conference registrants are also welcome to attend any Closets Conference events on those days, as well as the Closets Expo. (A three-day Closets Conference registration grants admission to all Custom Cabinet Conference sessions.) Details and registration are at customcabinetconference.com

Thursday, Feb. 24
8:00 am - 9:15 am
Working with Designers & Architects
Presenter: Joe Knobbe Senior Project Manager, Exclusive Woodworking and President, Cabinet Makers Association
Finding the right members to collaborate within the design community can be daunting. This seminar will delve into identifying designers, and how to work with them once you find them.

9:30 am - 10:45 am
Moving from Residential to Commercial Woodwork
Presenter: Rick Thaler President, OGB Architectural Millwork
Transitioning from residential to commercial work is a common step in growing a woodworking business, a step many cabient shops have taken since the recession. But commercial work plays by different rules, with pitfalls residential cabinetmakers may not anticipate. This session will include a focus on marketing, submittals, project management, billing, installation

2:30 pm - 4:45 pm
The Art of Pricing Profitably
Presenter: Sean Benetin, Founder and President, Millwork & More LLC
Understanding your expenses and how to price your work is the most critical, but most misunderstood aspect of almost every company in our industry. This in-depth seminar, which includes free pricing software and hands-on training, teaches everything you will need to understand how much your company costs to run, how to price work and how to make a profit on every single project you bid from now on. To get the most from the session, participants should compile some business expense information in advance and bring a laptop.
You will learn how to:
• Find hidden labor/overhead expenses
• Put asset depreciation into hourly rates
• Calculate Owner/Operator Value
• Find your “true” hourly rate
• Develop a profitable pricing program

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Peer2Peer Roundtable
Each roundtable will be facilitated by a member of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals and the Cabinet Makers Association.
Table topics include:
• Maximizing Showroom Success
• Motivating Employees
• Advertising & Marketing Strategies
• Techology for Growth
• Discovering Niche Markets
•Working with Professional Partners
• What’s Your Problem?

Friday, Feb. 25
8:00 am - 9:15 am
Hiring, Firing, Motivating Employees
Presenter: Scott Boschetti President, America’s Woodworker Inc.
Prepare yourself and your company for the complexities of managing employees. Creating and maintaining a winning team starts with good leadership, and a good leader is prepared to handle the obstacles they may face. learn about needed skills such as evaluating your firm’s workforce needs, effective interviewing, and selecting the best candidate. Create “Teachable Systems” to help your company grow. Give employees the information and tools they need to perform. Shape a management style and a work environment to keep employees motivated.

9:30 am - 10:45 am
Making Dollars & Sense from Ad Expenses
Presenter: Dave Grulke Executive Director, Cabinet Makers Association
Learn the role of advertising, how it impacts sales, and about making the appropriate ad buys to drive profitable business. Traditional and modern media advertising will be covered.
You will learn:
• Where to advertise
• True costs of bringing in a sales lead
• Evaluating potential audiences
• Stretching ad budgets

Find out how more online, including how to register, at closets-expo.com and at customcabinetconference.com