Benjamin Disraeli, the famous British prime minister, said, “As a general rule, the most successful man in life is the one who has the best information.” 

Information is what winners in this industry search for to give themselves a leg up. That’s why people in the know will be converging on the Midwest April 17-19, for the Wood Pro Expo and Closets Conference & Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Whether you need industry information about processes or products, the expo and conference this April will provide. The three-day event is filled with industry experts sharing their knowledge of what works. 

Innovation and transformation characterize the event. Many people in the industry are hungry for new products and processes to adapt to ever-changing business models. The event will showcase speakers from many backgrounds as they discuss topics such as success stories of business owners, negotiating contracts, design collaboration, lean process and profitability, and business transition. 

April 18-19, the trade show floor promises to answer your product knowledge questions as more than 70 exhibitors show off their latest and greatest in product innovations and stand by to answer your questions and demonstrate the functions of their products.
But this is way more than a trade show. The event will also have installations, design presentations, live podcast interviews and a tour of a closet showroom to make it the best educational trip you can take in 2024. Visit WoodProExpoIllinois.com or ClosetsCon.com for additional information and to register online. 

Whether you are a beginning wood professional or a large cabinet/closet manufacturer; whether you are a design professional or material supplier and distributor, this show will have something for you.

“The transition into the closet space from a cabinetmaker required us to learn about the similarities of each process, how we can adjust to accommodate both, coupled with the product knowledge about the materials with which we were working,” said Chris Lefeber, CEO of Quest Engineering. “These things wouldn’t be possible without having the ability to collaborate with other industry professionals and the conference and expo in Schaumburg is the perfect place for us to obtain that information.”

The conference and expo are a high-powered event that will bring everyone from the entire product cycle together in one place to share ideas and collaborate on what makes them successful. If you are looking to move your business forward, you do not want to miss this great opportunity. 

The joint venture of two shows in one gives everyone something to learn. There is a growing trend in cabinetmakers transitioning into closet manufacturing, or vice versa, as the process is similar. The expo will give you insight into how that can be done, what materials and processes cross over, and the design influence you will need to make this change. 

The speaker list includes: 

• Daniel Eisenbarth, a top rated life and business coach from the renowned Robbins Research International, the motivational organization founded by Tony Robbins.
• Jenny O’Connor from Bespoke Closets, on how to launch a design studio, speaking with
• Lis Ritz renowned designer from Inspired Closets Chicago.
• Lois Snyder, owner of the high-end commercial millwork firm Periwinklers, joins
• Randy Niewind, owner of Randy’s Cabinets and Woodworks to talk about contracts.
• Ariane Brabant, business development manager at TAG Hardware, shares the stage with
• Knikki Grantham, creative director at Keeler, to share inside intelligence on hardware trends.
• Gregory Paolini, Gregory Paolini Design, shares the lean transformation of his company.
• Ken Kumph, founder of Premier Builders, in Georgetown, Massachusetts, takes you into the complex world of transitioning your business to the next generation.
• Thomas Allott, manager of Stiles University and chairman of the National Woods Board helps answer the question, “Where can we find skilled workers?”
• Eric Marshall of the Closets Training Institute with hands-on workshops on installations.

A keynote panel discussion takes you through the crucial steps to craft your business identity and shape your success. Panelists include:

• Carlissa Montoya, CM Closet Design
• Domenic Marcolongo, Las Vegas Closet Design
• Cindy Melgoza, Glamornized
• Andrea Litsch, Closet Envy Dallas

The lineup of speakers brings in some of the best minds in the industry. Attendees in the past have included architects, cabinet and closet manufacturers, component suppliers, distributors, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, store fixture manufacturers, and more. 

The second and third day will have multiple design-focused discussions, which can be used as continuing education opportunities for designers. This concept will also provide an opportunity for students to learn as education is something Woodworking Network is constantly focusing on with everything we produce.

In addition to the education component, the exhibit hall will showcase products from the entire value chain, including machinery, components and other wood products, hardware, software, surface materials, adhesives, distribution and more, filling more than 70 booths with their wares. 

Sponsors who make this event possible include: 
Casoro Jewelry Sales
ClosetPro Software
DC Distributing
Designs of Distinction by Brown Wood 
DustPipe.com Inc.
Elektra Lighting
Hafele America Co.
Hettich America L.P.
JB Cutting Inc. 
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company
Richelieu Hardware Ltd. 
Robbins Research International
Sauder Closets 
Titus Group 
Uniboard

The event is presented by CCI Media LLC and its brands, Woodworking Network, FDMC magazine, and Closets and Organized Storage magazine. Industry partners in the event include the Cabinet Makers Association and the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals.

For more information about the event, visit WoodProExpoIllinois.com.