MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – All leading tradeshow indicators are pointing to a successful 2019 Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference (WMS), set to take place Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at the International Centre.

On the exhibit side, more than 170 manufacturers and distributors of woodworking machinery and supplies will participate at this year’s show, an increase of more than 15 percent from WMS 2017. These exhibitors will collectively display and demonstrate products spread over more than 66,000 net square feet of space, also a substantial increase from two years ago.

On the attendee side, pre-registration is running more than 20 percent ahead of WMS 2017. Show organizers expect more than 5,000 woodworking industry professionals to attend the three-day show.

“WMS represents the best opportunity for woodworkers to connect with all of the leading manufacturers and distributors based in Canada as well as many exhibitors from the U.S., Europe and Asia all in one place at one time,” said Tim Fixmer, president and CEO of CCI Canada Inc., owner of the biennial show. “The show is a one-stop shop for attendees to find new machinery to upgrade their manufacturing plants, seek out new products and sources of hardware, panel products and components; and be exposed to new ideas and concepts to improve their products and operations.”

Free Opening Keynotes: Mike Holmes Jr. and Will Sampson
The WMS education program will get off to a rip-roaring start at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, with a free opening keynote presentation, “Making it right with your customers,” by Mike Holmes, professional contractor and co-star of DIY Network’s Holmes and Holmes. Holmes said he plans to devote a portion of his talk to how he deals with price-sensitive customers. Learn more.

Speaking of pricing, Will Sampson, editor of FDMC, is scheduled to present a free keynote presentation at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, titled, “Solving the pricing puzzle.” Sampson will draw on lessons he has learned from his experience of organizing FDMC’s annual Pricing Survey to help attendees get a better handle on the mechanics of putting together bids that will win jobs and make money.

More WMS Conference highlights
The 2019 edition of WMS features the most robust educational programming in WMS’ history, said Harry Urban, show manager. “Our conference sessions complement the offerings on the show floor and give attendees the opportunity to hear from some of the most exciting voices and insightful experts in the industry. A number of the seminar topics are geared toward giving the woodworking owners and executives who attend them cause to reimagine how they can operate their businesses more efficiently and profitably.”

WMS Conference highlights include:

Luncheon keynote, noon Thursday, Oct. 31, by Luke Elias, president of Muskoka Cabinet Co. Elias will retrace the pivotal steps his company has taken during its 15-year journey to develop an Industry 4.0 Smart factory. His presentation will cover Muskoka’s successful integration of RFID, MES, ERP and robotics. Learn more.

Luncheon keynote, noon Friday, Nov. 1, by Daniel Drapeau, president and CEO of Miralis. Drapeau will discuss taking a leap of faith in route to his company’s amazing transformation from producing wood components to investing in robots and other cutting-edge technologies to manufacture contemporary kitchen cabinets. Learn more.

Thursday’s conference sessions will also include:

• A pair of “Kick Ass Lean” seminars by Brad Cairns, partner of Quantum Lean and FDMC columnist.
• Material Design Trends – European Inspiration Freiand Surface Technology by John Topic, North American Marketing Manager, Willis
• How to Produce NAAWS Compliant Shop Drawings.  Every Time! by Ian Christie & Nick Anastas of AWMAC

Friday’s conference sessions will also include:

• Back-to-back seminars by Dr. Eugene Wengert, aka The Wood Doctor, on improving profitability and reducing wood costs in the plant followed by eliminating gluing and machining defects. Learn more.
• Finishing Quality Through Process Control by Jason Chiu, managing director, UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing.
• Specialty Finishes by Joseph Kim, UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing

View the full WMS Conference agenda.

WMS Live
In addition to classroom learning sessions, this year’s show features the WMS Live stage, which will bring free educational opportunities to the show floor on all three days of the show.

“WMS Live presentations will focus on industry best practices,” Urban said. “For example, the Bluewater Wood Alliance will present topics on lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Other topics include advanced finishing techniques, machine optimization and workforce development.”

The WMS Live stage will be located in Hall 1. View the current WMS Live schedule.

Learn more about WMS and register.

About CCI Media
CCI Canada is owned by CCI Media, a business-to-business media company focused exclusively on industrial wood products manufacturing markets in North America. CCI Media’s flagship publication, FDMC magazine, circulates monthly in print and digital formats. CCI Media also publishes the bi-monthly Closets & Organized Storage magazine. Woodworking Network is the umbrella brand for the combined portfolio of wood manufacturing print, digital, and web products and industry events operated by CCI Media. CCI Canada also produces the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Oct. 31-Nov.2, at the International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario and Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré (SIBO), which will be held April 23-25, 2020, in Drummondville, Quebec.

In addition to WMS 2019 and SIBO 2020, CCI Media produces Wood Pro Expo Texas and the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo, both of which will be co-located March 11-13,  2020, at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. The company also produces Wood Pro Expo Lancaster 2019, to be held October 17-18, at Warehouse at the Nook, Manheim, Pa., and the Executive Briefing Conference, November 8-10, 2020, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.