ATLANTA, GA, USA – IWF 2008 will feature an expanded technical and business conference program, including a new symposium the day before the show opens and sixteen sessions during the show designed to educate IWF 2008 buyers with the latest information on technology, manufacturing and business techniques. Experts from a wide variety of industry segments will headline the program at the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair—USA®, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA Wednesday - Saturday August 20-23, 2008.
The 2008 conference program focuses on advancing business management skills; implementing profitable, efficient and safe production strategies; and providing information on new technology, processes and manufacturing techniques and industry and environmental standards and regulations. The diverse program includes the all day symposium on the latest developments in wood finishing and technical and business sessions such as the economic and logistical impacts of going green, how to create a winning factory, CNC processing, lean manufacturing, expanding into new market segments, improving the bottom line and recruiting and retaining quality employees.
“Cutting edge technical and business sessions and the latest technology on the show floor combine to make IWF 2008 the best opportunity for woodworking industry leaders worldwide to get the information and products they need for business success,” said Charles R. (Tommy) Tomkins, IWF 2008 Chairman and President of Cresent Fine Furniture Company, based in Gallatin, Tennessee. “IWF 2008 will present more than 1,300 exhibits of machinery, supplies and services for woodworking and related industries in more than 800,000 net square feet of floor space.”
Wood & Wood Products Magazine and University of British Columbia will partner in presenting an all day pre-show finishing symposium “Industrial Wood Finishing: From Green to Lean and In Between” on Tuesday, August 19. The program will kick off with a presentation by Carl Smith, CEO of GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), a non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program establishing acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings with the goal of improving public health and quality of life. Wood finishes, laminates and office furniture are among products that GEI certifies. The program also will include several case studies of wood product industry leaders that are balancing environmental regulatory compliance with quality, productivity and profitability goals. These end-users will provide insight into the benefits and limitations of adopting new finishing systems and methodologies in their manufacturing operations. Registration for the symposium is $350 on or before July 25 and $400 after that date and includes a show badge and reception following the symposium.
“Everything you read and hear from industry leaders and market research, stresses the importance of education, training and professional development for our industry. Buyers will have the ability to gain the knowledge they need to improve their business at the Finishing Symposium and the expanded Technical Conference Sessions. The greatest assets we all have are our people and we cannot as an industry fail to give our staff the education, training and access to new technology they need to ensure our industry remains strong now and in the future,” added Tomkins.
The conference session line-up is as follows:
Wednesday, August 20: “Surfaces & Woodworking,” co-produced by Surfaces Fabrication Magazine; “Should You Go Green: The Economic and Logistical Impact of Becoming Eco-Friendly,” co-produced by Door and Window Manufacturer Magazine; “How to Use and Specify Structural Panels, Composites and Veneers,” co-produced by APA – The Engineered Wood Association, Composite Panel Association and Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association.
Thursday, August 21: “Lightweight Panels: The Technology and Momentum are Building for Widespread Use of This Innovative Building Product,” co-produced by Wood & Wood Products and CWB Magazines; “Expanding into New Market Segments,” co-produced by FDM Magazine; “How to Create a Winning Factory,” co-produced by Art Raymond, A.G. Raymond & Company Inc.; “Functional and Decorative Hardware Trends and Applications,” co-produced by Wood Digest and Finishing Magazines; “Improving the Bottom Line,” co-produced by A.R.E – The Association for Retail Environments.
Friday, August 22: “What Successful Businesses Are Doing to Recruit and Retain Quality Employees,” co-produced by the Wood Products Manufacturing Association; “Effective CNC Processing of Advanced Materials and Plastics,” co-produced by Plastics Distributor and Fabricator Magazine and Georgia Tech’s Advanced Wood Products Laboratory; “CNC Software from A-Z,” co-produced by Woodshop News; “Cabinet Grade Finishing for the Small Shop,” co-produced by Bob Flexner, finishing author and teacher; “How Does Your Shop Measure Up? Learn about Measuring Tools, Benchmarks and Business Models to Compare Your Small to Medium-Size Shop with Competitors and the Rest of the Industry,” co-produced by Cabinetmaker Magazine.
Saturday, August 23: “Automating for Profitability in the Small to Medium Size Shop – Learn How to Prepare and Implement an Efficient System Throughout Your Company,” co-produced by Cabinetmaker Magazine; “Lean Manufacturing for Small Shops,” co-produced by Modern Woodworking; “Marketing for Advanced Wood Manufacturing Companies,” co-produced by the Architectural Woodwork Institute.
Registration for regular conference sessions is $35 on or before July 25 and $45 after that date. Full information on the technical sessions and online registration is available at www.iwfatlanta.com.
In addition to the Technical Conference, the 2008 Fair will feature the New Product Showcase, The Challengers Distinguished Achievement Awards® the most coveted award for innovation in the industry and the trend setting student Design Emphasis Competition.
About IWF – International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair-USA®
The largest woodworking technology trade show in the Western Hemisphere is held every other year at the GeorgiaWorldCongressCenter in Atlanta, GA, and is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. Recognized around the world as the preeminent event for introducing and selling manufacturing equipment, supplies and innovative new technology, IWF attracts over 43,000 visitors from every level of the industry and over 80 countries.
IWF 2008 will take place Wednesday-Saturday, August 20-23, 2008 at the GeorgiaWorldCongressCenter in Atlanta, GA, and is owned and sponsored by American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) and Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA).
For more information about the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair-USA®, go online to www.iwfatlanta.com, or call 404-693-8333.