ACSP president-elect to address key contract ingredients
Carlissa Montoya president CM Closets

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Carlissa Montoya, owner of CM Closet Design and co-owner of EncoreGarage San Antonio, will discuss the essential details and language every sales contract should include during the Closets Conference, April 12 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Montoya, who is president-elect of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), will draw upon her two decades of experience in the luxury retail and lifestyle market. Her presentation, “It’s in the Contract: Key Language Every Contract Should Include,” is germane to any company owner, manager or sales representative selling products and services to consumers. A fundamental question Montoya will answer: “Is the contract clear and understandable?”

“My career began in retail with managing and opening stores. The process of both is structured,” Montoya said. “When I left retail in 2010 and began my journey of entrepreneurship it was important to me to have agreements in place to explain my process, terms, and set expectations. I have done a lot of research, worked with a business advisor, and connected with a business attorney in preparing my own agreements for my business.” 

Montoya noted that CM Closets is a small business with a team of five employees. “We have received feedback from clients that they weren’t expecting us to be as detailed as we are. I believe having proper agreements in place sets the stage of professionalism for your business whether you are a business of one or more.” 

Montoya added, “No matter the size of your business, it’s important to have an agreement in place not only to protect your business, but also to communicate the process and expectations of the work to be done. It’s important in order to build a long-lasting working relationship with the client.”

Asked to provide an example of something that every CM Closets’ contract includes, Montoya pointed to the “Photo/Publicity Release” clause. It states, “The client agrees we may utilize pictures of our work in your home and information on the services we have provided you in marketing materials, statements, social media, and other forms of distribution. We may also use information regarding our services for publicity and award submissions. You agree to provide us with a perpetual, royalty-free license to use all information, pictures, and statements.”

“This is important now than more than ever,” she said. “Social media is a powerful marketing tool.”  

Montoya’s presentation will anchor the full-day Closets Conference that kicks
off with the keynote presentation – State of the Industry and Economic Outlook – by Chris Kuehl, Chris Kuehl, managing director and co-founder of Armada Corporate Intelligence.

Other topics on the Closets Conference agenda include:

  • Trends in Modern Design Panel Discussion featuring Jesse Collins, director of marketing and communications for Rehau; Gwen Petter, director of product design for Wilsonart; and Christina Relyea, director of customer experience for JB Cutting and president of the ACSP. 
  • How to Use Video in Digital Marketing presented by Allanna Bell, owner of Operating Dolls, and David Biggs, director of digital strategy for Woodworking Network; and

The full-day conference will be capped by a tour of Closet Lifestyle’s 7,000-square-foot manufacturing operation and 3,000-square-foot showroom.

The Closets Conference is presented by Closets & Organized Storage in partnership with the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals. The Wood Pro track for custom cabinet manufacturers runs parallel to the Closets Conference. It is organized by FDMC and the Cabinet Makers Association.

The twin-bill conference, precedes the two-day Closets Expo and Wood Pro Expo Florida, April 13 and 14.

View the full Closets Expo & Conference/Wood Pro Expo Florida schedule.

2023 Closets Conference & Expo

About the 2023 Closets Conference & Expo and Wood Pro Expo Florida
The annual Closets Conference & Expo is the only national event for all closet and home storage professionals. It is co-located with Wood Pro Expo Florida (WPE), a regional marketplace for woodworking professionals. The events are organized by Closets & Organized Storage and FDMC magazines respectively. Each is a distinct media brand of Woodworking Network. The twin-bill event is scheduled for April 12-14, 2023, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.

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The Closets Expo and WPE each kick off with a separate full-day conference on April 12, followed by the two-day expo, April 13-14, featuring woodworking machinery, supplies, and components. Additional educational programming is offered on both days of the expo. Tours of local manufacturing plants and the popular Top Shelf Design Awards networking reception are also key features of the event.

For information about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, contact Laurel Didier, publisher of Closets & Home Storage. For all other inquiries, contact Kim Lebel, show manager. 

More upcoming Woodworking Network events
Executive Briefing Conference, Sept. 26-28, 2023, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, Oct. 12-13, 2023, Spooky Nook Sports / Warehouse at the Nook, Manheim, Pa.

Wood Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS), Nov. 2-4, 2023, International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario.

Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré (SIBO), Oct. 24-26, 2024, Centrexpo Cogeco, Drummondville, Quebec.

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About the author
Rich Christianson | President/Owner/C-Level

Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a Chicago-based communications firm focused on the industrial woodworking sector. Rich is the former long-time editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has toured more than 250 woodworking operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has written extensively on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars including the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Canada’s largest woodworking show.