EDISON, NJ - The woodworking industry segment is off to a great start in 2013, as a well-trafficked Cabinets & Closets 2013 was a hit for attendees and exhibitors.
The year's first woodworking tradeshow bustled with events for cabinet makers, custom woodshops and closets businesses. High profile events included the first ever Custom Woodworking Business Design Portfolio Awards, the Top Shelf Design Awards, and representatives of national organizations such as Houzz, Score, and the Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance program - of particular importance for woodworking businesses in an area impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
The Cabinet Makers Association took advantage of the event to gather local members, with CMA staging two evening events - a networking dinner on Wednesday night, and a plant tour at Noble Woodworks on Thursday night.
The Association of Closets & Storage Professionals held its annual business and awards meeting at Cabinets & Closets 2013, naming board-member Richard DeMarco of Eveready Hardware as its president-elect. The move establishes a stable transition plan for the group; Demarco will succeed current president David Skinner in 2015.
On Thursday afteroon Annie Nozawa of Houzz.com presented findings from the popular home interior design site's latest consumer research study. Completed just two weeks ago, the presentation at Cabients & Closets Expo was the first revelation of the results, from a survey of approximately 100,000 Houzz.com users. Among the highlights: 69% of "Houzzers" (as site visitors are known) are looking to redecorate, 40% plan to remodel, and 8% plan to build a custom home.
Completed just two weeks ago, approximately 100,000 Houzz.com users responded to the survey.
A few study highlights include:
69% of users are looking to redecorate
40% of users plan to remodel
8% of users plan to build a custom home
Exhibitors held several offsite events, including a tour of Artisan Custom Interiors' 5,000-square-foot cabinetry plant on Thursday evening, Feb. 28. The West Hempstead, NY commerical and residential interior design and construction firm, recently added CAD/CAM software from Microvellum as well as a Weeke BHP 008 CNC routing machine and an Altendorf sliding table saw from Stiles Machinery.
Almost 90 exhibitors appeared at Cabinets & Closets Expo 2013 at the New Jersey Convention Center, 25 of them making a first-time appearance.
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