Click here to return to this month's Article Index

The Cutting Edge^™ December 2005

Woodworking Industry Conference 2005

WIC 2005 to Offer Outstanding Industry Education, Networking Opportunities

"The Changing Tides of Running Your Business" is the theme for the 14th annual Woodworking Industry Conference, April 20-23, 2005 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida, sponsored by AWFS® (Assn. of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers®), WMIA (Woodworking Machinery Industry Assn.) and WMMA® (Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America®. WIC 2005 promises attendees an exciting combination of outstanding industry education, information-packed business sessions and social events at Northwest Florida's premier luxury Gulf-front hotel.

The conference begins on Thursday, April 21 at the Opening Session and Luncheon, featuring a powerful message of inspiration and motivation from Olympic medal winner, Silken Lauman. "Blazing a Trail to Success" is Silken's own story of success in the face of the most severe adversity. A world champion rower, Laumann was a major contender for Olympic glory at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona until she sustained a leg injury in a boat accident one month prior.? Just 27 days after her Olympic career ending accident, Silken was back in her rowing shell and focused on Barcelona, where she won the Bronze medal for Canada in the women's 2000 meter single event.

A series of workshops will be presented by industry experts, aimed at helping attendees manage their companies better in today's ever-changing business environment. Topics will include:

LEAN MANUFACTURING: A detailed look at how industry companies are using leading edge woodworking techniques and procedures to maximize productivity and profits.
Presented by:

TRADE SHOWS AS A BUSINESS TOOL: Including separate sessions for manufacturers and end user/distributors packed with insights, practical tips and ideas to enhance the trade show experience for both exhibitor and attendee.

Speaker: Scott Korzen is a professional communication facilitator and sales trainer who has worked with leading companies that include Kohler, Bayer, Dow Chemical, Sony, AT&T, Panasonic, Ericsson, and General Motors to help them maximize their effectiveness at trade shows.

DEMYSTIFYING PRICE OBJECTIONS: A special workshop that will give participants the tools to go far beyond price objections and build a long-term relationship with customers built on clear market differentiation and value.

Speaker: Jack Warkenthien is the owner and founder of NextStep Solutions, a consulting organization that helps clients in sales, service and leadership to improve their relationship-building and communications skills. His regular clients include the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), for whom he presents annual marketing and sales workshops to members across the country.

A COMPLAINT IS A GIFT: Powerful new insights on why people behave the way they do when they give a complaint, how to prevent complaints from happening, and words to say and avoid.

Speaker: Suzanne Gust is a nationally recognized speaker; author and founder of Not So Basic Training & Consulting, one of the biggest training consultancies in the Midwest. She is also a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association and holds an MBA from Eastern Michigan University in Marketing and a BBA in Advertising/Management from Western Michigan University.

FUTURE OF THE ECONOMY, WHERE IS YOUR BUSINESS GOING? An in-depth analysis of the forces shaping the industry's new business realities and their implications for key management priorities and strategies in 2005 and beyond.

Speaker: For more than 25 years as an economic consultant, Larry Chimerine has lent his advice and council to Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions and government agencies. He has been frequently called upon to testify on key economic issues before congressional committees and appears regularly on the Lehrer News Hour, Adam Smith's "Money World", Wall Street Week, Today, Good Morning America, Crossfire, C-Span, CNBC, This Week, ABC Evening News, NBC Nightly News, and other popular television programs.

Featured again in 2005, the WIC Contact Table Program provides manufacturers, distributors and importers with an outstanding opportunity to meet and do business in a highly productive, cost-effective setting. WIC 2005 also includes scheduled association meetings as well as various business and social networking opportunities for attendees. The annual WIC golf and tennis tournaments are part of an exciting schedule of group leisure and social events balanced with the strong business focus of the conference.

WIC 2005 sponsoring associations, AWFS®, WMMA® and WMIA will be joined again by The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) as a participating association. Attendance at WIC is open to members and prospective members of these four associations, as well as association seeking to partner and participate in WIC.

Early Bird registration fees for WIC (prior to March 4, 2005) are $595 for members and $395 for spouses, companions and children 12 and over. After March 4, 2005, registration fees will increase by $100 in every category. Educators can attend for a flat fee of $200, regardless of date of registration.

WIC 2005 adds up to an information-rich event that will give attendees a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly changing industry. For more information or to register, check your mail after January 1st for a full brochure and registration forms!

Table of Contents
How are Hardwood Forests Doing?
Tort Reform
The Dollar is Dropping!
The New EU - 28 Countries, 22 Languages, 445 Million Consumers
Mechanical Engineering Graduate Available for Full-Time Work, December 2005
PLP&D Winter Workshop
WIC 2005 to Offer Outstanding Industry Education, Networking Opportunities
Calling for 2005 Baldwin Award Nominations
Nominations to WMMA's Board of Directors are Open!
Share Your Photos from Associations Gatherings