The National Cabinet Conference & Woodworking Expo is the place to go for expert how-to information that can help improve your company’s bottom line and boost your career.

National Cabinet Conference March 18-20, 2008 Full-Conference, Daily and Individual session registration fees available. Woodworking Expo March 19-20, 2008 Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg (Chicago), Illinois Renaissance Hotel Reservations: (866) 204-0549 Show Office: (800) 752-6312

Looking for ways to sell more products or manufacture more efficiently? Then look no further than the National Cabinet Conference & Woodworking Expo.

The NCC&WE brings together a unique national educational program for cabinet manufacturers and the Midwest’s only professional woodworking show of 2008 to Chicagoland at the same space and time.

The co-located events, organized by Custom Woodworking Business and Wood & Wood Products magazines, take place March 18-20 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.

The National Cabinet Conference has the additional support of the Cabinet Makers Assn., a professional organization boasting more than 500 custom cabinet and wood product manufacturing companies spread across North America.

The Woodworking Expo will feature hundreds of machinery, software and product displays by leading manufacturers and distributors. The three-day NCC&WE also includes plenty of time to network with other custom woodworkers and cabinetmakers, including an Industry Networking Reception beginning at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 18.

A Trio of Comprehensive Workshops

The National Cabinet Conference kicks off at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, with three half-day workshops, including:

• “Lean Manufacturing for Custom Cabinetmakers.” Tom Dossenbach, president of Dossenbach & Associates Inc. and author of the popular Management Matters column in Wood & Wood Products, will present the proven essentials and a very practical roadmap to implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement in a plant of any size.

• “How to Make More Money Making & Selling Custom Cabinets.” Eric Lehmann, CKD, and owner of Innovative Wholesaler Fabrications LLC in Long Island, NY, will draw upon his 29 years of experience to share this concept in a straight-forward, common-sense manner. Attendees will learn how to grow their business and profits without additional workers.

• “The Business of Finishing Wood.” Ron Bryze, resident finisher at E. Kinast Distributors and author of The College of Wood Finishing Knowledge, will look at key elements that impact a company’s profitability. Spreadsheets, as well as spray guns, are both important tools in the finishing process, and communication is key to a healthy bottom line.

Twelve More Educational Sessions

The National Cabinet Conference continues on Wednesday, Feb. 19, and Thursday, Feb. 20, with 11 break-out sessions, plus a free keynote presentation, “How to Build an Online Marketing Machine,” by Bob DeStefano, president of SVM E-Business Solutions at 8 a.m. Feb. 20.

The break-out sessions allow attendees to tailor their education schedule based on their individual needs and interests. Topics covering marketing, management and technical tips, include:

• “Making More Than Just Boxes: How to Add Value in the Cabinet Design & Manufacturing Stages,” by Shawn Maberry, CEO/president, Roger Shaw & Assoc.

• “Do You Run Your Cabinet Business or Does It Run You?” by Pat Gilbert owner, Tustin Woodworks, and Sean Benetin, president, Millwork & More LLC

• “Cabinet Finishing 101,” by Tim Woolery, VP and manager of director sales, Gemini Coatings

• “Transitioning from Residential to Commercial Cabinetry,” by Rick Thaler, president, OGB Architectural Millwork Inc.

• “Marketing & Advertising for Cabinetmakers,” by Art Stratemeyer, co-owner, Fine Woodworkers, and Dave Grulke, owner, Big Dave’s Service

• “Green Building & Wood Products – What You Need to Know,” by Roger Rutan, VP, marketing and business development, Timber Products

• “Is Outsourcing for Me?” by Bob Buckley, owner, True32 Cabinetry

• “Nested Based Manufacturing: What It Can Do for You,” by Michael Cassell, CNC product manager, Holz-Her U.S.

• “Business Benefits through Networking,” by Rick Thaler, president, OGB Architectural Millwork Inc., and Dave Grulke, owner, Big Dave’s Service

• “Working with Architects and Designers,” by Joe Knobbe, project manager, Exclusive Woodworking

• “What Works & What Doesn’t — The Keys to Success in Today’s Cabinet Market,” by Pat Gilbert, president, Tustin Woodworks, and Sean Benetin, president, Millwork & More LLC z