The International Woodworking Fair (IWF) 2014 will be held from August 20 to August 23 in Atlanta, Ga., and this year will include several events geared for the countertop industry. IWF has partnered with the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) to create a full itinerary of programming for countertop fabricators and others involved in the countertop industry, including a full-day Countertop Symposium.
The Countertop Symposium is to be held on August 19, one day before the IWF show floor opens. The event titled “New Directions in Decorative Surfacing Business,” has been designed to educate and inform both experienced and established countertop professionals and those newcomers exploring options and possibilities within the industry.
Several leading experts in the countertop industry are slated to speak and provide valuable information to all those in attendance. A few of the scheduled topics are as follows:
- A decorative-surfacing product review
- An overview of the latest products with CEU presentations
- Digital technology in the industry
- Business prospects and industry forecast from ISFA
- Q&A panel
Countertop Pavilion and Education Sessions
This year, IWF will be hosting its first Countertop Pavilion on the show floor, which will feature a number of suppliers demonstrating their latest and most popular products. In addition, several education events and AIA-certified CEU sessions will be held, including the following:
- Social Networking for Your Kitchen & Bath Business
- More Materials, More Markets, More Money: Profiting from Diversification of Your Countertop Shop
- Applying the Principles of Lean Manufacturing to the Fabrication Shop
- Leapfrog from Laminate to High End Concrete
- Solid Surface Design Basics (CEU)
- Surfacing Products – Healthcare Infection Control (CEU)
- Ultracompact Surfacing (CEU)
Networking Opportunities
IWF will also offer some networking opportunities for those in the countertop industry, including a Countertop Pavilion reception and the ISFA Annual Member Meeting. The ISFA member meeting will be a luncheon event on Aug. 21 t0 which all ISFA members are invited. It takes place from noon to 1 p.m. in room B409. ISFA requests attendees RSVP in advance. The other networking event is a reception that will also be held Aug. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the show floor in the Countertop Pavilion. This event is open to all industry personnel and will include drinks and snacks. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with the Countertop Pavilion vendors, ISFA staff, board of directors and members, and other industry professionals.
For more information, visit www.iwfatlanta.com, or to register go to the IWF registration page.
