Pro to pro and peer-to-peer, education is the hallmark of the International Woodworking Fair, with 38 sessions offered.

IWF 2012 will offer woodworkers more than three dozen educational courses, from basics in wood finishing and production to marketing strategies, business management and best practices in lean manufacturing.

Full-day symposia Tuesday, Aug. 21 include Finishing, Wood Bioenergy, Window and Door Market Trends, Closets as a Niche, and Countertops.

Symposia prices range from $175 to $245 if you register before July 27; $225 to $295 after July 27.

The purchase of an all-day symposium also includes one free regular education session, which start on the Fair’s opening day, Wed., Aug. 22, running until Friday, Aug. 24. Tracks include business management, manufacturing, furniture, marketing, sales, and wood. Some representative topics include Wood 101, sales and marketing; shop automation; lumber specification; lean production; mass customization; local markets for selling cabinets, furniture and millwork; wood protection for the forest products industry; working with designers and architects; and many more.

Cabinet Makers Professional Certification

For the first time the Cabinet Makers Association will offer expanded live sessions at IWF for its new CMA Professional Certification Program. Curriculum sessions contain required knowledge to pass testing. CEU sessions are elective sessions; a person enrolled in CMA’s certification program is required to earn 4.0 CEUs per year and to pass applicable testing.

Topics include: qualifying sales prospects; the art of pricing; shop automation; basics of wood properties, lean manufacturing and more. Sessions run from Wed., Aug. 22 to Friday, Aug. 24.

For more about courses offered at the Education Conference or to register, visit iwfatlanta.com/education