CCI Canada, the team that runs the 2019 Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference and Expo reports exhibit sales are running well ahead of last year’s event a year out from the show. WMS, to be held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2019 is more than 30% ahead of the 2017 event in terms of exhibitors and exhibit space.
“Our 2017 event created a lot of positive momentum and exhibit space sales have continued on a roll since then,” said Tim Fixmer, CEO of CCI Canada, Inc. WMS 2017 featured more than 270 companies and brands.
“We’ve seen a great uptick in new exhibitors and also exhibitors returning after missing a few show cycles,” Fixmer said.
In this context, CCI mentions these companies: HOMAG, Biesse, Becker Pumps Corp., eaStar Products & Services (Shenzhen), Inc., Fisch, Henkel Corporation, Hettich, Norton/ Saint-Gobain, Northern Contours, Nuvo Hardware, Padsmore, Inc. and TAWI Canada, Inc.
Planning is underway for an expanded conference agenda that includes an opening morning keynote that will be free for all attendees.
“We plan to have a marquis name presenter to kick the show off in a big way,” said Harry Urban, WMS show manager.
The education portion of WMS will feature two learning tracks and keynote luncheons.
“Our education program will be devoted to best business practices and technology and design trends,” said Urban. Also new this year will be learning on the show floor.
According to Urban, a post event survey from WMS 2017, revealed 87 per cent of the show’s 4,500 attendees plan to return to next year’s show. "This is the show that brings our industry together and makes it stronger," said Trevor Chaulk, president of Chaulk Woodworking in Minden, Ont.
"With a vast array of topics in the seminars, supplier networking and machinery advancements it provides the tools for a great future in the wood industry," he said
