U.S. Wood Industry Also Heads to Toronto for WMS 2015
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The largest wood industry event in Canada -- Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo – is officially the biggest and best.  More than 200 exhibiting companies and thousands of woodworkers will converge on Toronto's International Centre November 5-7  for this important global industry event. 

New this year is the “Reboot Your Business” conference, introducing Wood Industry 4.0, wood shop best practices and new technology applications.  

The favorable US/Canadian exchange rate makes it a good time for U.S. woodshops to consider a business-building trip to neighboring Canada, with air fares and hotel rooms a real bargain. So, grab your passports and head to Toronto. Here are a number of don’t-miss WMS elements:

1. WMS Reboot Your Business Conference

For this first time, WMS 2015 will run a two-track conference program on November 5, opening day of the show, right on the exposition floor. This arrangement gives everyone a chance to stop in and attend sessions at will. Registrants are more than welcome to duck out for a product demonstration, then come back for a session. The two track conference agenda, divided between business and operations, means you have a dozen learning events to choose from, along with a keynote and luncheon.

Exchange Rate Benefits U.S. 
WMS Conference Registration and Hotels are denominated in Canadian Dollars, for the moment providing a significant discount due to the U.S.-Canada exchange rate. A C$250 discount advance conference registration is $189 U.S. Hotel rooms at the WMS Four Points Sheraton at C$122 is about $92 U.S. per night for a 3-day stay (based on exchange rate Oct. 1, 2015.)

2. Profit Booster WMS Expo Floor Tour

In addition to great conference sessions, registrants are invited to a special VIP showing of technology and new product developments on the floor. This curated tour will provide insights into the newest supplier offerings, and it is anticipated that it will include some beta products and developing technologies. A definite must-see.

3. Meet The Award Winner

Conestoga College woodworking program has delivered a brand new industry star: Young Wood Pro Dylan Horst. He’ll be on the WMS Expo floor with his winning entry, this Benge and Ash masterpiece. His appearance is sponsored by Rampa Tec, at Booth 1085. Hear Dylan also during the Woodworking Inventors panel on Saturday,  Nov. 7 at 11:00 a.m.

4. Peer to Peer Woodworker Roundtables

This perennially popular feature at many woodworking venues makes its WMS debut, with two occasions to allow you to get elbow to elbow with other woodworkers. Friday Nov. 6  “What’s your Problem Roundtable: CNC Technology” runs 11:00-11:45 a.m.; and on Saturday Nov. 7 “What’s Your Problem: Finishing” runs 11:00-11:45 a.m.

Lindsey Thudin, Houzz

5. Facetime with Houzz

The juggernaut that is Houzz.com has gone global,  (with offices in Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tokyo and London) but major audiences are concentrated across North America, where it is sharing the best work of fine cabinetry and home interior craftsmanship, and helping customers find woodworking pros buy more than 3 million curated products. Houzz marketing guru Lindsey Thudin will guide you to getting prominence and sales, through your own Houzz website. Bring your laptop: wireless is provided and Thudin will help you build or improve your Houzz page in real-time.

6. Toronto Dining & Sightseeing

We don’t have to go into great detail here. As one of the great cities of the world, and among the most cosmopolitan, Toronto has a wide range of dining and entertainment venues. The WMS show ends at 6:00 p.m., and Toronto awaits!

WMS Sponsors
Arauco (Flakeboard)
Blum Canada Limited
Italian Trade Commission
Richelieu
Royal City Paint & Supply
Taurus Craco Machinery Inc.
Uniboard

WMS Supporters
Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers
Association of Canada
Bluewater Wood Alliance
CAWP - Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
Lignum Consulting
Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America
WoodLinks
Woodworking Canada
Wood Industry

WMS Conference & Education Advisory Panel
Andreas Gombäz,
Felder Group Ontario

Sepp Gmeiner,
Lignum Consulting Group

Prof. Dennis Harlock,
Conestoga College

Wes Love,
Taurus Craco Machinery, Inc.

Iain Macdonald,
University of British Columbia Centre for Advanced Wood Processing

Kevin Tratt
Blum Canada

Dawn Wilson
Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.