Despite confusing economic indicators, the woodworking industry continues to find a path forward, and in fact, finding new energy in regional trade shows.

At the time of this writing, the Closets Conference and Wood Pro Expo happening in Florida is hitting record numbers for attendance and exhibitors. Coming up in October, the Wood Pro Expo Lancaster in Pennsylvania is expected to achieve similar success. It shows the woodworking industry is adapting and finding a way to navigate uncertain waters, using these focused, regional events for powerful targeted marketing and dynamic networking. 

Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, slated for October 23-24, 2025, at the Spooky Nook Sports Center, has been a tradition in the mid-Atlantic region since 2017. The momentum we see at our other shows has given new life to not only what has gotten us to this point, but also to what we can adjust to make the events continue at this mobility. Some of the things that are working will be embedded into the program, including: 

• Working to make the exhibit space more casual, inviting, and attendee friendly 
• Finding new presenters and bringing back crucial presentations to energize our audience
• Creating new and exciting networking opportunities and events
• New layout

These concepts are the pillars of ways to help make these events a success for your company. One of the biggest changes this year will be the layout of the show. We will be moving the educational sessions from the classrooms upstairs down to a room adjacent to the show floor. 

This idea will help drive awareness of the sessions and make it easier for the audience to move between the show floor and these highly anticipated presentations. We know this is a visual industry, and this move will be no exception as attendees will be able to see directly into the presentation area. Make sure you sign up for these sessions well in advance! 

Topics expected to be on tap include such areas as planning your workflow and shop floor, succession planning for your business, pricing your products for profit and targeted markets, recruitment and more. 

Compelling information
The lineup for this year’s event will be a combination of some of our most popular speakers from the past few years touching on topics that will help a woodworking business of any size grow, maintain, recruit and succeed. 

Sprinkled in will be a new cast of experts covering areas of major concern in the market. Of course, we will also once again be working to provide Continuing Educational Units (CEU’s) for those interested in materials in our industry and for any designers who may need to achieve those much-needed credits. Partnering with some of our best exhibitors and industry leaders, these sessions are sure to be topics that mean the most to our attendees. 

 

Networking opportunities
One of the most valuable assets of Wood Pro Expo is the chance to make new face-to-face connections in the industry. The opportunity for networking is a must for coming to the show. 

A creative marketing approach utilizing our own reach, communicating with the surrounding demographic, and coordinating marketing initiatives with our exhibitors and sponsors should give us the best possible outcome for drawing another record attendance. The networking angle is something that we continually get better at providing, and I encourage everyone to be on the lookout for these opportunities. 

Now is the time to act
I recently heard someone use this analogy and it stuck in my head. When industry is at a standstill due to unforeseen economic challenges, we sometimes freeze at the switch. But it is during these times that the largest market share shifts can occur.

Think of it this way, instead of worrying about the 8% hit you are taking on your 16% market share, worry about the other 84% market share you can go after. We are all dealing with the same challenges, and if you are not aggressive you will be on the losing end. 

The reason this stuck in my head is because I have seen so many companies lately at a standstill. They tell me they are waiting on some unknown metric or are changing their position completely. If you are not in front of your customers or looking for new ones, your competitors surely will be, and it will not play out well for you. 

I welcome all woodworkers from every corner of the market to attend our industry events, and I recommend all companies in our industry to make their presence known, network with peers, and bring their latest and greatest products to the show floor.  
Let’s keep momentum going, find new ways to create the beautiful environments we produce and show the industry that we can keep the ball rolling in 2025. 

Registration opens on July 1, and we still have some exhibition space available. Please do not hesitate to book your space and put Lancaster in your calendar this October. 

Visit WoodProExpoLancaster.com for more information.

About Wood Pro Expo Lancaster  
Wood Pro Expo is a regional event for woodworking businesses that brings together suppliers and experts for a localized presentation of equipment and supply solutions. WPE includes a strong educational program on best practices for shop production and business management. The expo features a wide variety of industrial woodworking equipment and supplies mainly geared to small and medium-sized shops. The 2025 edition of Wood Pro Expo Lancaster takes place Oct. 23-24 at Spooky Nook Sports/Warehouse Hotel at the Nook in Manheim (Lancaster County), Pennsylvania.

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To learn more about Wood Pro Expo Lancaster exhibiting opportunities, including the Running Machine Program, Classic Machine Pavilion, and more, contact Lewis Goldman at [email protected] or 800- 969-2212.

 Visit woodproexpolancaster.com. 

More Woodworking Network events
CNC Bootcamp | The Closets Symposium: Two full-day educational programs followed by the Woodworking Network Leadership Reception, Monday, July 21, at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. Learn more.

 Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS), Nov. 12-14, 2025, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ontario.