This year’s biggest woodworking industry show is the biennial 2010 International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair (IWF), running Wednesday to Saturday, August 25-28, 2010, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. One of the highlights of the show is the Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award, which showcases innovative new technology. Sixty-five companies had entered 80 products to compete for the Challengers Award by the April 30 deadline.

“The Challengers Award and IWF are the platform for innovation and new product introduction,” says Riccardo Azzoni, IWF 2010 chairman, who is also president of Atlantic Machinery Corp., New Millford, CT. “Our industry continues to invest in the future,” Azzoni notes. “Industry professionals will have an unique opportunity to see some of the most advanced new products available.”

New for the 2010 awards program, Challengers Award finalists and winners will be recognized all four days in a display area on the show floor. The special area will provide information about all 20 of the 2010 finalists and the seven winners.

The Challengers Award culminates with the recognition of seven outstanding exhibiting companies. A panel of distinguished judges is already reviewing and analyzing each entry to decide on the top 20 finalists, which are to be announced June 3, just as this issue of

Custom Woodworking Business goes to press.
A special page at woodworkingnetwork.com/iwf will carry descriptions of the entrants, details about the finalists, and will include postings of the winners as soon as they are announced. The final judging will take place August 24, and the winners will be announced on August 25, 2010.