A brand new event, the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo, is set to debut February 27-March 1, 2013, at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison.

The new trade show and conference represents an expanded version of Closets Expo, which has been operated for eight successful years by Vance Publishing — the parent of Closets magazine.

Show Director Rich Christianson says the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo represents a natural evolution Closets Expo, which co-located with the Custom Cabinetmakers Conference for the past three years. The Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo builds on that foundation, integrating the events a step further — reflecting the transformation of cabinetmaking and closet businesses and markets.

“The launch of Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo recognizes the synergies between the closet and storage solutions arena, and the custom cabinet markets, but provides unique education and product information relevant to each of them,” says Christianson. “Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo will provide valuable education for custom cabinet companies that are crossing over to win closet business. And it will help closets companies that are increasingly called on to do cabinetry and other non-closet custom woodwork projects.”

The Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo is a joint effort of Custom Woodworking Business and Closets magazines, both publications of Vance Publishing’s Woodworking Network.

Partners On Board
Last year’s show partners —The Association of Closets and Storage Professionals (ACSP), and the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) — expand their involvement with the 2013 Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo.

ACSP has maintained a long-standing partnership with Closets magazine, its official publication, and is collaborating with Vance in program development for the conference sessions, according to ACSP’s new president, Dave Skinner, owner of We Do Closets of Russell, ON.

The CMA, which has co-located its Custom Cabinet Conference with Closets Expo for the last three years, continues its partnership with Custom Woodworking Business in the development of an even more robust educational program geared for cabinetmakers, custom woodshops and closets businesses looking for opportunities in custom woodwork.

This will be a particularly significant program for the CMA, which piloted its Professional Certification program and Continuing Education Units (CEU) at the 2011 Closets Expo in Charlotte, NC; then formally launched the CMA Professional Certification program at AWFS 2011. As with last year’s Custom Cabinet Conference in Austin, TX, CMA will present a mix of business, marketing and technology topics, relevant to both closets businesses and custom cabinetmakers.

“The Cabinet Makers Association is committed to education and intent on helping woodworking executives develop their business skills,” says Dave Grulke, executive director of the CMA. “The CMA looks forward to continuing its partnership with Custom Woodworking Business.”

Tracy Yarborough, president of CMA and owner of Maple River Wood Works, Cower, SC, also notes, “The Cabinets & Closets Conference will focus on tried-and-proven ideas that cabinet and custom woodwork executives can take back to their shops to do a better job of pricing projects, finding new business or reducing production costs.”

Award Winning Programs
Winners of the 2012 Custom Woodworking Business Design Portfolio Awards will be recognized at the event. Entries are now being accepted at woodworkingnetwork.com/designportfolio. (Deadline is November 1, 2012.) Design Portfolio Awards are given in:

• kitchen/bath cabinets
• residential furniture, freestanding
• residential furniture, built-in
• architectural millwork
• specialty products
• closets
• commercial/institutional casework
• solid surface

A People’s Choice award is also voted online.

Winners in the Closets magazine Top Shelf Design Awards will also be announced at a Cabinets & Closets awards gala reception. The deadline for submitting entries is January 15, 2013. Submissions are now accepted at ClosetsDaily.com/topshelf.

Enter Design Portfolio at woodworkingnetwork.com/designportfolio.