SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – A ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for 9:55 a.m. Thursday, April 17, will officially mark the opening of the exhibitor hall for the inaugural Wood Pro Expo Illinois. Co-located with the Closets Expo, Wood Pro Expo, runs through Friday, April 19 at the Schaumburg Convention Center.

One of the primary draws of Wood Pro Expo Illinois is the opportunity to see woodworking machinery in action, plus demonstrations of CAD/CAM and ERP software. These demonstrations not only showcase the capabilities of the machines and software programs but also provide valuable insights into how they can enhance efficiency and productivity in woodworking operations.

Additionally, the sold-out show floor will feature a plethora of hardware, components, decorative surfaces, and other products used to create kitchen and bath cabinets, closet and garage systems, custom furniture and other wood products. Many of these products have been introduced since the Closets Expo/Wood Pro Expo Florida was held last April in West Palm Beach, Fla. 

Read Exhibitor Product Previews

Each day of the twin-bill expos will feature a variety of educational programming, much of it presented free of charge at the Woodworking Network Live stage on the exhibit floor.

Here’s a complete summary of each day’s scheduled events. Click here for more details.

Thursday, April 18

8:00 am – 8:50 am CMA “What’s Your Problem” Roundtable Breakfast | Sponsored by Designs of Distinction by Brown Wood, Inc.
Learn More

9:00 am – 9:50 am Free Keynote: Transforming Wood Industry Education, presented by Thomas Allott, President of the National Wood Board (NWB) and Director of Talent, Stiles Machinery. Learn about the NWB and its mission is 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. Learn More

9:55 am – 10:00 am Expo Floor Ribbon Cutting

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo Floor Open

10:30 am – 12:00 pm Closet Lighting Installation Clinic | Sponsored by ELEKTRA presented by Eric Marshall, Owner, Closet Training Institute (WWN Live Stage) Read More

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Molding & Scribe Installation Clinic presented by Eric Marshall, Owner, Closet Training Institute (WWN Live Stage)

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm DESIGN Talks - Education for Designers (CEU) | Sponsored by Uniboard 
TFL: Exceptional Design, Durability and Sustainability in a High-Value Decorative Panel presented by Sena Wilks, Regional Sales Manager, Uniboard Read More

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Woodworking Network Podcast with Will Sampson, Editorial Director, Woodworking Network (WWN Live Stage)

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Product Presentation by DryAway | Sponsored by DryAway (WWN Live Stage)

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm DESIGN Talks - Education for Designers | Sponsored by ASID, presented by John Cialone, FASID, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and Maya Khudari, ASID Allied

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ACSP Certification | Sponsored by JB Cutting
Take the Association of Closet and Storage Professional’s certification exam at a significantly discounted rate. Meet at the ACSP booth #702 with a computer or other device to take an online test.

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Top Shelf Design Awards & Young Wood Pro Awards Reception | Sponsored by Sauder Closets & Grizzly Industrial Learn More

8:30 pm – 11:59 pm Closets & Cocktails: A Speakeasy Soiree | Sponsored by CM Closet Design & Optimization Dolls Learn More
 

Friday, April 19

9:00 am – 9:50 am Free Keynote: Crafting Your Identity, Shaping Your Success – Your Personal Brand, Your Unique Story, presented by Carlissa Montoya, President-Elect, Association of Closet and Storage Professionals; Domenic Marcolongo, Owner/Closet Designer, Las Vegas Closet Design; Cindy Melgoza, Owner/Closet Organizer, Glamornized; and Andrea Litsch, Closet Designer, Closet Envy Dallas

10:00 am – 3:00 pm Expo Hall Open

10:00 am – 1:00 pm ACSP Designer Exchange (with Vendor Booth Tours), presented by Wendy Scott, Owner, Timeless Closets and Cabinetry; Eric Rosenthal, Director of Sales, EcoDomo;  Natalie Dalton, Owner/Operator, Closetopia; Jenna Shock, Lead Designer, Inspired Closets Pittsburgh; and Kate Bernyk, Designer, Distinctive Design & Storage Solutions Learn More

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm DESIGN Talks - Education for Designers (CEU) | Presented by Jacob Harkins, Vice President of Global Marketing, VintageView Wine Storage Systems Learn More

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Designer Interview of Allana Bell, founder of Optimization Dolls, by Michaelle Bradford, Editor-in-Chief, Closets & Organized Storage (WWN Live Stage)

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Closing Reception: Glad You Were Here & Closets State of The Industry (WWN Live Stage)
Learn More

About the Closets Conference & Expo and Wood Pro Expo Illinois
The annual Closets Conference & Expo (CCE) is the only national event for all closet and home storage professionals. The 2024 edition is co-located with Wood Pro Expo Illinois (WPE), a regional marketplace for woodworking professionals. The events are organized by Closets & Organized Storage and FDMC magazines respectively. Each is a distinct media brand of Woodworking Network. The twin-bill event is scheduled for April 17-19, 2024, at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill.

Download Prospectus Reserve a Booth

CCE and WPE each kick off with a separate full-day conference on April 17, co-sponsored by the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals and Cabinet Makers Association respectively. The two-day co-located expo, April 18-19, features woodworking machinery, supplies, and components. Additional educational programming is offered on each day of the expo. Tours of local manufacturing plants and the popular Top Shelf Design Awards networking reception are also key features of the event. View current program schedule.

For information about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, contact Laurel Didier, exhibit sales. For all other inquiries, contact Kim Lebel, show manager. 

More Woodworking Network events
Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, Oct. 24-25, 2024, Spooky Nook Sports/Warehouse at the Nook, Manheim, Pa.

Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS), Nov. 12-14, 2025, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ontario.