SCHAUMBURG, IL – The 3^rd annual CLOSETS & HOME ORGANIZATION CONFERENCE & EXPO™ cleared the fences.

The event held March 21-23 in Schaumburg, IL, attracted record numbers of attendees and exhibitors. Approximately 1,625 closets, garage and other home organization professionals from throughout North America and beyond registered for the expo. In addition, 555 exhibitor personnel, representing some 120 companies, were on hand to display and demonstrate the latest and greatest in closet and garage systems, components, hardware, computer software, woodworking machinery and more.

Nearly 300 of the attendees also registered for the three-day Closets Conference, co-sponsored by CLOSETS and the Association of Closets and Storage Professionals. The conference was book-ended by keynote speeches presented by Jay Goltz, author and founder and president of Artists’ Frame Service, and Laura Michaud, author and family business consultant. The conference also included 15 seminars on various topics, including marketing, employee recruitment, working with builders and relocating a factory.

Other highlights included the opening night networking reception attended by more than 600 conference attendees and exhibitors, two installers’ workshops presented on the expo floor and a plant tour to Closet Works Inc. In addition, the winners of the first Top Shelf Design Awards competition were announced.

"We could not be more pleased with the strong turn out for this year's event," said Laurel Didier, publisher of CLOSETS. "The show blew away last year's total participation by nearly 50 percent.  Not only were exhibitors very happy with the number of attendees, they were extremely happy with the quality of the people who visited their booths. On the flip side, attendees were able to see a wide range of new products geared specifically for their needs."

Rich Christianson, associate publisher and editorial director of CLOSETS, said the Closets Conference program was equally well received. "Kudos to the ACSP for helping us put together a broader and even more dynamic program than the previous two. The program featured a balanced mix of business professionals and closet industry professionals. The sessions generated considerable discussion. It’s an awesome feeling to see closet industry professionals from different parts of the country come together and share their ideas and challenges at an event they can call their own."

On deck: Palm Beach, FL

The attendance and exhibitor records established at this year's Closets Conference & Expo will be put to the test when the Closets Conference & Expo moves to Palm Beach, FL, Feb 27-29, 2008. The fourth annual event will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

For more information about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities or to get on the attendee mailing list, contact Hall-Erickson Inc. at (800) 752-6312 or (630) 434-7779 or email [email protected]. Additional information and updates will also become available at www.closets-expo.com.