AWFS offers vast learning opportunities

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Registration is open for the College of Woodworking Knowledge, the educational program at the 2021 AWFS Fair, scheduled for July 20-23 in Las Vegas.

“Designed to meet the current needs of show attendees, the two dozen sessions will span topics to strengthen corporate culture and grow your workforce, enhance business management expertise, and increase knowledge of the latest technologies,” the AWFS explained in a statement.

Highlights of the four tracks include:

• Technology & Innovation: Learn how to maximize efficiency and productivity in edge banding operations and vacuum clamping for CNC. Subject matter experts and wood manufacturers will help walk attendees through the process of identifying, selecting, and implementing robotic applications.

• Business Management: Mark Harari, author of Lobster on a Cheese Plate, will help attendees identify and strengthen their market positioning. Hear from a panel of financial experts on succession planning, including new tax policy changes and implications. Marc Sanderson from Innergy will help attendees decode and navigate the current landscape of business software.

• Workforce and Culture: Author Kelli Vrla will provide guidance on how to engage employees and strengthen business culture. Lisa Landry will guide an in-depth workshop on how to respond to racial bias that can be applied in the workplace. Marc Sanderson will use the Kotter Change Method to show how businesses can influence change and impact their corporate culture. And learn how to use the Woodwork Career Alliance Skills Standards as a reference manual for creating an in-house training program.

• Cabinet, Millwork, and Furniture: Leaders from the Architectural Woodwork Institute will present sessions on “Maximizing Profit Using the Cost of Doing Business Survey” and “Project Management in a New Era”. The Cabinet Makers Association will host its “What’s your Problem?” roundtable event and sessions on “CNC Essentials” and “Taking the Leap to the Next Level of Machinery”. Learn from experts about RTF laminates and how to ensure quality and have success using this nrw process.

This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue.