ISFA Partners With International Woodworking Fair

OREM, Utah — The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) will work to develop an educational and exhibition focus for countertops at the biennial International Woodworking Fair (IWF).

The fabricator group announced a partnership with International Woodworking Fair LLC late last week, with the goal of a full countertop educational track and an ISFA-sponsored “Countertop Pavilion” at the next IWF event in 2014.

“With so many laminate and solid-surface fabricators already attending the International Woodworking Fair, it makes sense to expand upon that and open the show up to fabricators of all countertop materials,” said Rick Hannigan, IWF 2014 chairman. “The new educational track will include sessions geared toward laminate, solid surface, quartz surfacing, natural stone, concrete and other countertop materials.”

The educational track will include six educational sessions geared toward the countertop industry, as well the full-day Countertop Symposium the ISFA presented at the past two IWF expos.

The new Countertop Pavilion is designed to bring new suppliers of materials, tooling, machinery, equipment and other products and services together in one area of the show for the convenience of those in the countertop industry. As part of the new focus, ISFA Associate Members who haven’t exhibited at IWF will get a discount if they exhibit in the pavilion, and all ISFA members will get discount admission to the show.

Additionally, ISFA will have its 2014 Annual Member Meeting at IWF and will also host a networking event for those in the surfacing industry.

“We have worked closely with IWF for the past two shows and expanding upon our established relationship will provide additional benefits for our membership and for the entire surfacing industry,” said Mike Langenderfer, ISFA president. “Educational and networking events are a big part of what ISFA offers, and solidifying IWF as an outlet for increasing those programs is another opportunity to bring together the industry and improve the quality of the products fabricators offer.”

The IWF, one of the largest woodworking trade shows in the world, drew more than 12,000 registrations for its event last summer, with recognition as a “Fastest 50” in total attendance growth by Trade Show Executive.  IWF 2014 will be held August 20-24 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

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