AWFS®Fair 2019 Education Program Had Something for Everyone

The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers^® (AWFS^®) educational program, the College of Woodworking Knowledge^® (CWWK^®), was held at the AWFS®Fair and provided value for thousands of AWFS Fair attendees through current topics and addressing business questions and concerns.

Designed to meet the current needs of the show audience demographics, the 50 sessions spanned topics to strengthen corporate culture and grow workforce, enhance business management expertise, improve skill sets, and increase knowledge of the latest technologies.

CWWK Educational Track Highlights

Business Management: Expert Tom Grandy spoke on mastering your cash flow. Marketing pro Jonathan Mills dove deep into digital marketing, including the role of social media and how and when to use it. Successful business owner Jeff Finney addressed how to work ON your business rather than in it. Two-time SHINGO Prize winner Gary Conner walked through lean case studies to provide applicable information. Dr. Cindy McGovern, the First Lady of Sales, explained why every job in a company is a sales job and customer relationship building must be foundational in your business.

Workforce and Culture: Expanded programming in this track included perspectives from experts and woodworking business owners. Highly rated returning speaker Paul Downs shared his process on transforming his company’s culture. Business and leadership consultant Patrick Heidrich tackled communication as core to culture – attendees had the chance to complete DiSC communication assessments as part of the session! Lisa Ryan of Grategy shared the importance of engaging employees for better retention.

Cabinet, Millwork, and Furniture: Paul Downs returned with his popular session on introducing CNC to the furniture shop. Owain Harris and John Conrad of ISFD discussed life as a furniture maker. Creative furniture designer/maker Judson Beaumont shared his fun and innovative design process.

Software & Technology: Exhibitors presented SMART sessions in their booth on nested CNC optimization, digital technologies in the wood industry, automation to address your labor shortage, robotic applications, and processing solid wood on CNC. The SMART sessions took place on the show floor in exhibitor booths and before the show opens, and multiple SMART sessions sold out!

Techniques & Applications: Woodworking pro Scott Grove returned to offer two sessions on veneer technique and one on using resin with wood. Highly-rated speaker Diane Shattuck joined us again to address problem solving in finishes and color consistency. Jim Larin of Fuji Spray spoke on choosing the correct HVLP spray system. Louis Jasso of Elite Fine Finish and Chris Berry, The Idaho Painter, discusses the importance of training in finishes. SMART sessions on always-important topics of finishing and edgebanding were also offered.

Teacher Track: The Teacher Track expanded to seven sessions on: WCA for the classroom, tool safety, CAD training, accessing curriculum and resources, teaching design/build, marketing your program, and program funding.

AWI, CMA and WCA Hosted Sessions

Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) presented three sessions on estimating, project management, and an overview of the new AWI Standards Suite (FREE). Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) hosted a session on leadership featuring Guy Bucey from Inova, and sessions on investing in a bigger machine, diversifying your business, maximizing your nested based router, and their flagship “What’s Your Problem?” event as a luncheon. Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) offered three complimentary sessions: two on how to find, train and retain workers, and creating an in-house training program, and one for teachers on WCA standards for students.

FREE sessions

In addition to complimentary sessions hosted by other associations, AWFS once again offered complimentary sessions for attendees. Sessions included: workforce development initiatives in our industry, and regulation impacting the woodworking industry, focused on the EPA TSCA Title VI and tariffs and trade challenges.

Woodworking Network Symposia
Woodworking Network presents an expanded offering of their popular full-day symposia on Tuesday, July 16 which complemented the CWWK™ programming with current topics and an impressive lineup of speakers. The four symposia were: CNC Technology, Finishing, Closets, and the Under 40 Leadership Conference. All symposia attendees received complimentary show registration and the “40 under 40” Reception on Tuesday evening.

For more information, contact AWFS Education Director Adria Salvatore adria@awfs.org