POTOMAC FALLS, VA — The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) is offering comprehensive courses for architectural woodworkers at its 2009 Spring Professional Development Seminars, Apr. 29 – May 2, in Charlotte, NC, at the Harris Conference Center.  The half- and full-day courses will assist architectural woodworkers in fine-tuning their operations to realize cost-efficiencies and maximize profits during economically challenging times when competition is intense.
 
Topics include: Fundamentals and advanced project management and estimating; AutoCAD for woodworkers; contracts and negotiations; and employee retention and motivation. Rounding out the fee-based sessions are plant tours to Holzma U.S., Surface Products and Carocraft Cabinets, plus a real-time demonstration of a digital template system applicable to the businesses of participants.
 
As a value-added program, AWI will conduct a quick but comprehensive overview of the new Architectural Woodwork Standards, jointly developed by AWI, the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) and the Woodwork Institute (WI).  The one-hour program will be delivered on Apr. 29 and 30 and on May 2.
 
Other complimentary sessions included with registration are the Quality Certification Program (QCP) 101, the QCP Help Clinic, the Exhibitor Showcase for meeting industry suppliers, and a reception and tour at Biesse America.
 
The event is open to AWI members and non-members. The seminars combine presentations, hands-on demonstrations, discussion and exercises to reinforce knowledge gained during each course. The faculty includes industry specialists, authorities on specialized topics and speakers trained by the AWI Speakers Bureau.
 
Each course includes all utilized materials (including notebooks, CDs and template files), a continental breakfast, lunch and evening receptions for networking. Online registration is available at www.awinet.org and closes March 27.