Industry veteran to offer closet market insights at WMS Live

By Rich Christianson

August 17, 2023 | 9:03 am CDT

Eric Marshall Closets Training Institute

Eric Marshall has amassed more than four decades of experience in the closet industry since he was the first employee hired to work for California Closet.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Eric Marshall, co-owner of the Closet Training Institute, will share some of the key lessons he has learned during his more than four decades working in the closet and storage industry at the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo.

Marshall, the immediate past president of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals, will present “Tales from the Closet: Seven Stories About A Guy Who Learned to Win by Failing a Lot.” This free session will take place at noon Saturday, Nov. 4 at the WMS Live Stage located on the show floor.

Among the tales Marshall plans to present include:

How to design with the customer’s needs in mind;
How to close the deal the first time; and
How to accomplish seamless installs.

Marshall co-owns the Closet Training Institute with his wife, Lori. The Tempe, Ariz.-based company specializes in helping people get started in the closet industry or helping closet professionals learn ways to improve and grow their businesses. A master storage designer, Marshall has amassed more than four decades of experience in the closet industry since he was the first hired employee of California Closet.

The closet presentation is one of 11 free sessions that will be held at the WMS Live Stage during WMS 2023, Nov. 2-4 at the International Centre.

View the complete WMS Live schedule.

About the Wood Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS)
WMS is world-renowned as Canada’s preeminent industrial woodworking event. For more than four decades, WMS has connected Canada’s woodworking professionals with the world’s most prominent machinery manufacturers and suppliers. Last held four years ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic, WMS 2019 attracted attendees from nine Canadian provinces and two territories.

In addition, WMS 2019 featured 75,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 175 exhibitors.

For information about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, contact Gavin McAuliffe of Corcoran Expositions at 312-265-9649 or [email protected][email protected].

For general inquiries, contact Harry Urban, show manager at [email protected].

More Woodworking Network events
Executive Briefing Conference, Sept. 26-28, 2023, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, Oct. 12-13, 2023, Spooky Nook Sports / Warehouse at the Nook, Manheim, Pa.

Closets Conference & Expo / Wood Pro Expo Illinois, April 17-19, 2024, Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg, Ill.

Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré (SIBO Expo), Oct. 24-26, 2024, Centrexpo Cogeco, Drummondville, Quebec.

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About the author

Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a Chicago-based communications firm focused on the industrial woodworking sector. Rich is the former long-time editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has toured more than 250 woodworking operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia and has written extensively on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars including the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, Canada’s largest woodworking show.