We are pleased to provide over a dozen live educational sessions at IWF this year, and you are welcome to join us for as many as you can fit into your schedule.  While you do not need to be a CMA member nor must you be enrolled in the CMA’s Professional Certification Program to attend these CMA sessions, we have arranged special discounts for CMA members who register to attend. And the line-up is outstanding! We have invited several experts to present various sessions. Here’s a sampling of what we’re delivering.

The Finance/Insurance section has two sessions you won’t want to miss. Greg Crabtree, Chief Executive Officer of Crabtree, Rowe & Berger is far from your usual CPA, but rather a true entrepreneur who understands our world. Greg has developed a curriculum of operating principles that can help take your business to the next level and unlock the true potential of your business. By attending his session, you will come away with a set of operating metrics, policies, and practices that will put your company on a solid path to reliable, stable growth and profitability. It will also increase the value of your firm and your compensation.

Then Mike Russell, National Account Executive: Association Risk Management Services of the CMA’s Platinum Sponsor Federated Insurance will deliver an eye opening session on commercial insurance. "Insurance 101" will help you understand the factors that determine your business insurance premium, and more importantly, what you and your business can do to lessen your insurance cost. Yes, you can control your insurance premiums! Learn how you can positively influence your insurance premiums and pay less than your competitors.

Another expert is Gene Wengert, President of The Wood Doctor’s RX, who will be presenting Wood 101. Gene is one of the very few nationally recognized experts on wood and wood processing and is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Wisconsin’s Wood Processing Department of Forestry. Wood 101 is the first in a series of sessions we will be offering on the management perspectives of that very basic commodity we all use. Gene’s insight and expertise developed over decades of research is a welcome addition to our certification program.

Plus, you’ll also see several other recognizable names among the CMA speakers who will deliver various CMA sessions at the show. To see the full CMA line up and for more details, go to the IWF website and click on the education link at the top of the page.

It's been said that the difference between professionals like doctors, lawyers accountants and the like is their training.  Professionals go to school to master the ins and outs of  their professions and keep their knowledge current by attending continuing educational sessions.  There is little doubt that technology has forever changed the way custom cabinet and woodworking businesses operate now and will continue to change into the future.  Why would you want to be left out and fall further behind your competitors?  Start today by joining the CMA and enrolling in its Professional Certification program.  Here's the link to get you started as a new CMA member and here's the link to enroll in the Professional Certification program.

August 22-25 - IWF 2012 - Atlanta  Registrations are now open.  Watch this e-newsletter for future announcements on CMA events and activities at IWF.  You don't want to miss the biggest professional woodworking show!  http://iwfatlanta.com/

The CMA's Professional Certification Program will have 12 live educational sessions at IWF starting on August 22.  To view the sessions, follow this link  http://www.iwfatlanta.com/education/CMASessions and see the article above.

Source: Cabinet Makers Association