The 2024 Closets Conference & Expo, co-located with Wood Pro Expo Illinois, is the only international tradeshow for the closets and home organization industry. This year, the event takes place April 17-19 at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

Kicking off the Closets Conference on April 17 is an exciting opening keynote exploring the psyche of successful business owners. Daniel Eisenbarth, a results coach and business results trainer for Robbins Research International, one of the top 1 percent of life and business coaches globally, will present “The Psychology of Business – The Edge of Successful Business Owners.”

Eisenbarth’s keynote will examine what sets the top 5 percent of businesses apart from the remaining 95 percent. The presentation will unveil seven core strategies that form the bedrock of success in the business world. Drawing from his extensive experience, he will show how these strategies can transform businesses, leading to substantial growth and prosperity.

As a Life and Business Coach, Eisenbarth has had an impact worldwide, coaching in 26 countries, with success stories across various industries. In 2021, his performance earned him the prestigious Coach of the Year award. He continues to break records, achieving results for clients in areas ranging from weight loss and financial freedom to relationships and business scaling.

In 2023, Eisenbarth became the first-ever “Facilitator in Training” for Tony Robbins. This distinguished title positions him as the sole coach trained to share the stage with Tony Robbins.

On April 18, the opening day of the show floor, Thomas Allott, Manager of Stiles University and Chairman of the National Woods Board, will present a keynote on Transforming Wood Industry Education. Allott will share an overview of the board’s strategic goals, what support is needed from the industry, and what benefits can come from the success of this program.

Attendees will learn about the National Woods Board and its mission to replicate and proliferate the successful model implemented by the Colorado Springs-based Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab, known as the MiLL, on a national level. The organization was founded to make the MiLL’s industry-supported education model accessible and scalable to students regardless of location. 

Upon completion of the coursework and training, students will have the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to obtain internships or employment. 

Closing out Closets Conference & Expo 2024 on Friday, April 19, is a keynote panel discussion titled “Crafting Your Identity, Shaping Your Success – Your Personal Brand, Your Unique Story.” This session aims to provide attendees with invaluable insights into the art of personal branding and crafting a success story.

Carlissa Montoya, owner and designer at CM Closet Design LLC and EncoreGarage San Antonio and President-Elect of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), will lead the discussion. Montoya brings a multifaceted perspective to the conversation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between personal branding and success, particularly in the closet and design industry.

Joining Montoya are panelists Domenic Marcolongo, owner and designer of Las Vegas Closet Design; Cindy Melgoza, owner and closet organizer at Glamornized; and Andrea Litsch, designer at Closet Envy Dallas. With diverse backgrounds in closet design, organization, and entrepreneurship, these panelists are set will offer a well-rounded discussion on the nuances of personal branding and success crafting.

The session will break down into four key components: Crafting Your Identity, Shaping Your Success, Your Personal Brand and Your Unique Story. 

“Crafting Your Identity” centers on intentionally and thoughtfully creating your self-image and reputation, emphasizing that individuals have control over how they present themselves to the world. Understanding the nuances of identity crafting becomes crucial in a society where perception often shapes reality.

The second component, “Shaping Your Success,” delves into the connection between projected identity and achievements, underscoring the idea that actions and the intentional projection of your identity play a pivotal role in determining success, both personal and professional. 

“Your Personal Brand,” the third component, covers the concept of a personal brand – how the unique mix of skills, values, and personality traits distinguishes an individual from others. In an era where personal branding can make or break opportunities, this part of the discussion is set to be particularly enlightening, emphasizing how to understand and actively manage perceptions.

The final component, “Your Unique Story,” underscores the individuality of each person’s narrative. Everyone possesses a distinctive story involving their experiences, journey, and personal development. Sharing this story can enhance connections and create a lasting impression. The panel will explore how embracing and expressing your unique story can contribute to a more authentic personal brand.

Conference tracks
Day-long sessions, divided between the Closets Track and the Wood Pro Track, allow attendees to choose sessions tailored to their interests.

In the Closets Track, co-sponsored by ACSP and Hettich America L.P., Jenny O’Connor from Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces and Lis Ritz from Inspired Closets Chicago will guide participants on “How to Launch a Design Studio Through Collaboration.” This session will delve into developing business plans, leveraging industry partnerships, and creating compelling content on social media to help businesses grow.

Next, Ariane Brabant, TAG Hardware, and Knikki Grantham, Keeler Brass Company, will explore the latest trends in accessory and hardware product design and examine the market outlook for new product concepts and finishes in “Emerging Trends: Accessories and Decorative Hardware.” Participants will hear from these hardware industry experts as they share their insights and experiences.

In the final session of the day, “AI’s Role in the Future of Design,” attendees will learn about the latest AI-powered tools and technologies that are transforming the interior design landscape and how you can leverage them to enhance your design process, increase efficiency, and deliver results for clients.

Day 1 of the conference will include a plant tour sponsored by Hafele to Inspired Closets Chicago. Inspired Closets, a brand of The Stow Company, was officially launched in 2017, with industry veteran Mike Carson opening the inaugural showroom in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Highlights from the show floor

• DESIGN Talks: DESIGN Talks is a new continuing education series for designers. Additionally, each session will be IDCEC-accredited. Sponsored by Uniboard.    
• Closet Lighting Installation Clinic: Led by industry veteran Eric Marshall, Closet Training Institute, this clinic will focus on lighting and how to install it. The main objective is to empower designers to confidently sell lighting solutions while assuring installers that the process is now more straightforward than ever.
• Moulding & Scribe Installation: Presented by Eric Marshall, Closets Training Institute. Attendees will learn how to install fillers, use connectors, and proper techniques to scribe.
• Designer Exchange: ACSP will host roundtable discussions on hot topics impacting designers. The group will then take a tour of vendor booths on the show floor. 

Closets Conference & Expo  |  Wood Pro Expo Sponsors: 

Casoro Jewelry Safes: Standing Sign Board

ClosetPro Software: Lanyards

DC Distributing: Tote Bags

DustPipe.com Inc.: Registration Kick Panels

Elektra: Closet Lighting Installation Clinic, Tote Bag Inserts, Welcome Reception 

Hettich America L.P.: Closets Conference Track, Standing Sign Board

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company: Conference Breakfast & Breaks

Sauder Closets: Top Shelf Awards Contest & Reception

JB Cutting: ACSP Certifications

Hafele America: Plant Tour

Designs of Distinction by Brown Wood, Inc.: CMA Breakfast

Grizzly Industrial: Young Wood Pro Awards

Richelieu: Welcome Reception

Uniboard: DESIGN Talks

Plan to attend

Everything about Schaumburg ensures a great experience during the event and after hours. The Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center are under one roof and conveniently located minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The center is located minutes from Woodfield Shopping Center with great shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, accessible by trolley. The area surrounding the Renaissance also has some great places for entertainment and dining.

The Renaissance Schaumburg, the official hotel of the 2024 Closets Conference & Expo and Wood Pro Expo Illinois, offers a variety of amenities that cater to guests, including on-site restaurants, a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, a business center, and ample meeting space to network. 

To take advantage of the negotiated rates, reserve a room at the Renaissance Schaumburg by March 25. The hotel and convention center complex is located at 1551 Thoreau Dr. N, Schaumburg, Illinois.

For updates and to register for the conference, visit closetscon.com for more information.