CMA Conferences at Woodworking Shows

The CMA Custom Cabinet Conference (co-located for three years with the annual Closets Expo & Home Organization Conference), has been such a big draw that the expo is renamed for 2013: Closets & Cabinet Expo, reflecting a growing role for cabinetmakers in closets and home-storage cabinetry build-outs. Cosponsored by the CMA and Vance Publishing’s Custom Woodworking Business, the CMA Speakers Bureau provides sessions such as: “The Art of Pricing Profitably;” “Working with Designers and Architects;” and “Moving from Residential to Commercial Work,” plus popular “What’s Your Problem” roundtables. It will be held in New Jersey in March 2013. CMA teams with Vance for woodworking events at SIBO in Quebec in Nov. 2012, and WMS Toronto in Oct. 2013.

CMA Certification at AWFS, Hafele, Western Dovetail

The CMA Professional Certification Program, previewed at Custom Cabinet Conference 2011, and launched last July at AWFS in Las Vegas, is being rolled out at CMA’s signature regional meetings, which bring events close to you to minimize out-of-shop time. CMA’s Certification Roll-Out event at Western Dovetail’s Vallejo, CA, facility (following events in Chicago at Häfele, and in Winter Haven, FL, at A-Ward Design) featured CMA director Dave Grulke, Blum Inc.’s Skip Lauderbaugh, and Western Dovetail’s Max Hunter. Glenn Pope of Glenn Pope Woodworking, Calistoga, CA, helped make this event a success for three-dozen fellow CMA members in attendance.

CMA 2012 Banquet, Awards at IWF Woodworking Show

Atlanta is home to the International Woodworking Fair, with the biennial event taking place August 22-25 at the Georgia Convention Center. IWF Atlanta is also the site for the 2012 CMA Annual Banquet and Round Table, and will be the occasion for announcing the Wood Diamond Awards. (Last year’s CMA Annual Banquet was held during the AWFS show in Las Vegas).

As the largest North American woodworking show this year, it will feature hundreds of exhibitors. The IWF 2012 Education Conference will present 27 education sessions presented by industry professionals and educators during the show. In addition, six all-day symposiums will be held on Tuesday, August 21, covering topics from finishing to countertops to remodeling to biomass.

This year, IWF is teaming up with the Cabinet Makers Association to host the CMA Professional Certification Program Core Curriculum Sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 25-27, 2012.

Beginning in March, you can register for the sessions online when you register for the show or add sessions to your registration by logging in at http://registration3. experient-inc.com/showIWF121/Default.aspx and choosing to “Edit your individual registration.” Mark your calendars and make plans to meet members of the CMA and take advantage of the many networking opportunities at IWF 2012.