9:45 a.m. - Noon:  Industry Break Out Sessions (select 2):

 Jump Starting Your Lean Journey-   Mike Roth unpacks the 8 steps of Value stream Leadership and shares many Lean Manufacturing success stories. His 2-part presentation will be relevant to woodworking companies big or small, no matter where they are on their lean journey. Mike is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with a Lean Manufacturing Certification from the University of Michigan. As CEO / President, Mike provides strategic leadership and "on site" mentoring for the Go-Lean-Six deployment team and has worked with Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, Mack Trucks, BAE Systems and Volvo.

 2017 FDMC Pricing Survey: (Moved to Thursday 1 -2:15 p.m.) Will Sampson delivers insights distilled from studying pricing in the custom woodworking industry for more than two decades, along with the results of the latest FDMC Pricing Survey. Learn more>>

Workforce Strategies: Greg Pilotti, founder of Greg Pilotti Furniture Makers, tells how to attract the next generation of employees, and hold onto them once they are hired. Learn more>>

How to Eliminate Waste and Improve Your Sanding Operation: Adam West is a technician for Dixon Abrasives.  In his blog series, Adam covers sanding processes with wide-belt sanders... Learn more>>

Noon - 1:00 p.m. CONFERENCE LUNCHEON

1:00 p.m.  Depart for Plant Tours 

Visit Cabteq Solutions in Rock Hill, S.C. sponsored by Wurth; followed by a tour of Blum Inc.'s hardware manufacturing plant in Stanley, North Carolina

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018 - Free Keynote included with Expo Hall Admission!  

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. – Free Keynote Address:  Seven Ways You Can Improve Your Woodworking Business  Will Sampson  sponsored by Quis Machinery

A lifelong woodworker, Will Sampson has been an advocate for small-scale entrepreneurs and lean manufacturing since the 1980s. As editor of FDMC magazine, he has more than 20 years experience covering the professional woodworking industry. His popular "In the Shop" tool reviews and videos appears monthly in FMDC and at WoodworkingNetwork.com.

1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.  - Free Education Session -  2017 FDMC Pricing Survey: Will Sampson delivers insights distilled from studying pricing in the custom woodworking industry for more than two decades, along with the results of the latest FDMC Pricing Survey. Learn more>>

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -  Young Wood Pro Reception at the Woodworking Network booth

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. – Free Keynote Address: - "The Wood Doctor Is In" with Dr. Gene Wengert 

Gene Wengert, FDMC magazine's “The Wood Doctor,” shares an expansive view of the impact contemporary demands on wood supply can have on your business, gleaned from his extensive experience over 35 years. He is extension specialist emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Learn more>>