Learn how to maximize the value of your business, especially for when you are ready to cash it in.

If you wanted to or had to sell your business tomorrow, what do you think it would be worth?

Learn how to make your woodworking business more valuable in a half-day workshop scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at the Custom Woodworking Conference. The all-new Custom Woodworking Conference will be co-located with the fifth annual Closets & Home Organization Conference & Expo™, March 18-20, 2009, in north suburban Chicago.

The opening general session of the CWC will focus on how custom woodworkers can start building equity in their business today with an ultimate sale or succession in mind. The conference, specially formulated for custom woodworking business owners, is being organized by the Cabinet Makers Assn. and Custom Woodworking Business magazine.

Among the featured speakers is a pair of professional woodworkers featured separately in CWB, with first-hand experience of operating and selling manufacturing companies. The first is Richard Oedel, a custom furniture maker based in Boston, who was profiled in the November issue. The other is Jeff Ebel, who authored a two-part series on “Selling Your Business” in the May and June issues of CWB.

The Custom Woodworking Conference, which runs March 19-20, will also include sessions on product pricing, wood finishing, marketing and more. It expands the highly successful Closets Conference & Expo, which is organized by the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals and CLOSETS magazine.

The 2009 educational offerings are further bolstered by a new alliance with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

More 2009 Event Highlights

The Closets Conference & Expo is a unique opportunity to rub elbows and swap information with like-minded closet and cabinet professionals from throughout North America. Highlights of the 2009 show include:

• An exhibition of more than 20,000 net square feet of supplies, equipment, software and services dedicated to the home organization, cabinet and custom woodworking industries.

• Four themed pavilions – Cabinet Supplies, Extreme Garage, Lighting Showcase and Go Green.

• Closets Conference, March 18-20, offering a mix of management, marketing and productivity sessions geared toward improving the bottom line.

• Green Remodeling presented by NARI.

• Selected sessions offering opportunities for NARI members to receive continuing education units.

• Optional tour on Friday, March 20 to POWERS’, a store fixture manufacturer that uses high-tech panel processing systems to meet customer-driven production demands.

• Optional plant tour with breakfast on Saturday, March 21, to Häfele America’s Chicago showroom.

Need More Info?

For a detailed overview of the event, plus registration, exhibit and sponsorship information, visit www.closets-expo.com. For exhibit sales, contact Rich Widdick or Matt Powell at (630) 434-7779.

Custom Woodworking Conference*

Thursday, March 19 - General Session

8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. - Welcome & Event Overview
Presented by Helen Kuhl, Editorial Director, Custom Woodworking Business and Sean Benetin, President of the Cabinet Makers Assn.

8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. - “Managing Growth & Building Equity in Your Custom Woodworking Business Presented by Richard Oedel, Fine Furniture Master

9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Refreshment Break

10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. - “The Power of Branding” Presented by Dave Grulke, President of Big Dave’s Service

10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Refreshment Break

11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - “Passing the Torch: Selling Your Business” Presented by Jeffrey Ebel, President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Architectural Woodwork Institute

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Q&A Panel Discussion

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - “How to Make More Money Making & Selling Custom Wood Products” Presented by Eric Lehmann, President of Innovative Wholesale Fabricators

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Industry Networking Reception Hosted by Custom Woodworking Business, Cabinet Makers Assn. and National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Friday, March 20

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast

Breakout Session #1

8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
• “Wood Finishing 101” Presented by Tim Woolery, Vice President and Manager of Direct Sales, Gemini Coatings

• “Pricing Profitably” Presented by Sean Benetin, President of Millwork & More

9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
• “Working with the A&D Community” Presented by Joe Knobbe, Project Manager, Exclusive Woodworking

• “Using Technology to Grow Your Business & Maximize Profits”
Presented by Scott Norris, Certified Solutions Provider, Planit Solutions

11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• “Pricing Profitably” Presented by Sean Benetin, President of Millwork & More

• “Working with the A&D Community” Presented by Joe Knobbe, Project Manager, Exclusive Woodworking