My job keeps me hopping, which most days is a good thing.

I am active in the publishing cycles of three publications – Wood & Wood Products, Custom Woodworking Business and CLOSETS – and the frequent updates of two Web sites – www.iswonline.com and www.closetsmagazine.com.

These communication vehicles provide our print readers and Web visitors with a steady dose of news, technical information and market intelligence that they can tap to better manage their operations and businesses.

In addition, I am currently involved in the development and promotion of a half-dozen live education events that will take place between this August and March of next year.

Each of these events is topical and aimed at providing its attendees with the most up-do-date information possible, presented by experts in their field. What makes seminars and conferences most worth registering to attend is the opportunity to interact with speakers and fellow attendees. These programs are excellent forums for getting answers to questions that can help drive your business to the next level.

Here’s a quick run-down of the six educational events on my calendar.

Industrial Wood Finishing Symposium: From Green to Lean and In Between, Aug. 19, Atlanta, GA; www.iwfatlanta.com

This comprehensive full-day program unites W&WP with the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing at the University of British Columbia and the International Woodworking Fair. The symposium takes place the day before the start of IWF; Becker Acroma is a sponsor of the event.

Program highlights include a keynote presentation by Carl Smith, CEO of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, plus several case studies of the best practices that have been implemented in the finishing departments of several North American wood products companies.

Lightweight Panels: The Technology and Momentum are Building for Wide Spread Use of this Innovative Building Product, Aug. 21, Atlanta, GA; www.iwfatlanta.com

Last month, W&WP reported on the latest developments in the evolving market for honeycomb core wood panels for use in place of particleboard, MDF and hardwood plywood. This 90-minute technical seminar, co-produced by W&WP and CWB, will include the principals for two companies that manufacture lightweight panels: Charlie Olswold of OFC Panel Processing and David Hartwell of Bellcomb Technologies. Rounding out the expert panel is Gary Wernlund, product specialist of Stiles Machinery Inc.

Focus on Growth Strategies, Oct. 22, Laval, QUE; www.sibo.ca

This one-day conference is being held in conjunction with the biennial Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré, which became the property of Vance Communications Canada in 2007. SIBO, Canada’s biggest woodworking show of the year, is scheduled for Oct. 23-25 at the Forzani Place in Lavel.

The conference will feature presentations on several timely business growth topics including Web marketing, closet and home organization trends and green building.

The Dollars and Sense of Going Green, Oct. 28-29, Indianapolis, IN; www.greenwoodseminar.com

“The Dollars and Sense of Going Green” represents a unique summit for hardwood lumber manufacturers, wood products manufacturers and industry suppliers. This program is being organized by the Department of Forestry at Purdue University and W&WP. The conference will provide a public forum to help attendees learn about the impact wood certification and green marketing of hardwood products is making at the national and international level.

Various views of the green building products movement in North America will be presented. The program will also feature an optional update on the enforcement and implications of the new California formaldehyde rule that will have wide spread effect on wood products companies up and down the supply chain throughout North America.

5th Annual Closets Conference, March 18-20, 2009, Schaumburg, IL; www.closets-expo.com

CLOSETS is once again teaming up with the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals to develop a conference aimed at helping manufacturers and specifiers of closet, garage and other home organization products improve their bottom lines. Topics include sales and marketing, showroom selection and design, and garage storage opportunities.

The Closets Conference is held in tandem with the Closets Expo, March 19-20, a unique product showcase for closet and storage professionals.

3rd Annual National Cabinet Conference, March 25-27, 2009, Dallas, TX; www.texaswoodworkingshow.com

The National Cabinet Conference will be co-located with the eighth biennial Texas Woodworking Show, set for March 26-27 at Dallas Market Hall. The NCC is sponsored by the Cabinet Makers Assn., an organization committed to helping custom woodworking companies flourish.

The 2009 NCC will feature a power-packed lineup of business and technical topics, including growing your business, diversifying your product mix, and recruiting and retaining skilled employees.