SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The 2024 Closets Conference & Expo, co-located with Wood Pro Illinois, opened Wednesday, April 17 at the Schaumburg Convention Center with an opening keynote on the psychology of business from Daniel Eisenbarth, a business results coach and trainer at Robbins Research International.

During his keynote, Eisenbarth encouraged attendees to change their mindsets, moving away from an operator to an owner mentality because owners know who they are and what they are best at. And what makes someone a better owner? 1)  a better emotional state – a stronger psychology, 2) master the seven forces of business, 3) have an action plan, and 4) know how to scale.

Throughout his presentation, Eisenbarth emphasized the importance of psychology in business, saying it is approximately 80 percent of the process, and mechanics is 20 percent. He explained the importance of psychology because it changes how you feel, he said, and the way you feel affects what you do.

Eisenbarth also discussed the three keys to a breakthrough in your organization: 1) strategy, 2) story and 3) emotional state. He said no emotions are permanent or right or wrong, but the key is to figure out how to use your emotions for your benefit.

Following the opening keynote, the Closets Track, co-sponsored by the Association of Closet & Storage Professionals (ACSP) and Hettich, and the Wood Pro Track, sponsored by the  Cabinet Makers Association, took place.

Sessions for the Closets Conference included:

• How to Launch a Design Studio Through Collaboration, presented by Jenny O'Connor, Design Director, Bespoke Closets / Burke Architectural Millwork, and Lis Ritz, Designer, Inspired Closets Chicago
• Emerging Trends: Accessories and Decorative Hardware, presented by Ariane Brabant, Business Development Manager, TAG Hardware, and Knikki Grantham, Creative Director, Keeler
•  AI's Role in the Future of Design, presented by Jenna Gaidusek, Jenna Gaidusek Designs, Interior Designer / eDesign Educator

Sessions for the Wood Pro Track included: 

• Negotiating Contracts, presented by Lois Snyder, Owner/President, of Periwinklers, and Randy Niewind, Owner, of Randy's Cabinets and Woodworks
• Lean Strategies to Increase Profitability, presented by Gregory Paolini, Owner/Operator of Gregory Paolini Design LLC
• Transitioning Your Business, presented by Ken Kumph, Owner of Premier Builders

After the conference sessions, attendees loaded four buses for afternoon tours, sponsored by Hafele America, of the Inspired Closets Chicago showroom and Perfection Custom Closets showroom and manufacturing facility. The day ended with a Welcome Reception,  co-sponsored by the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals, Elektra, and Richelieu. 

Expo opens

The two-day expo runs April 18-19, with an opening keynote each day. The Top Shelf Design Awards and Young Wood Pro reception, sponsored by Sauder Closets and  Grizzly Industrial Inc., will also take place on the evening of Thursday, April 18.

Other features planned for the expo floor include: 

• Scheduled live machinery demonstrations
• DESIGN Talks
• Woodworking Network Live features free presentations, interviews, and podcasts,  
• Installation Clinics 2.0 and 3.0 with demonstrations,
• Advanced design clinics, including sponsored booth tours by the ACSP

To learn more, visit closetscon.com.