ISFA Plans Chicago Fabricator Crawl
INGOMAR, Pa. –The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) takes a different tack next month by bringing its Chicago area event to … a crawl.
The unusual title comes from the non-traditional schedule for July 18-19, with attendees shuttle for five stops through Chicago suburbs, along with a couple of jaunts for evening relaxation.
The event begins July 18 with a shop tour of Stonecrafters in Lakemoor, Ill., a fabrication company that has been in business for over two decades, serving Chicago’s northwest suburbs. The rout continues to Groves, Inc. in Woodstock, Ill., to learn about material handling solutions and discuss risk mitigation and safety best practices.
And, a pub figures into the first day’s crawl, with the last stop being the Bulldog Ale House in McHenry, Ill, for food, brews and networking.
On July 19, activities move south to GMD Surfaces in Mokena, Ill., where the fabricator uses a wide range of state-of-the-art technology, including laser-measuring systems, machine-tracking software, robotic cutting machines, CNC miter saws, in-line polishers and more.
Next up is Laser Products Industries in nearby Romeoville, Ill., where attendees enjoy a catered lunch and get a glimpse into the production and testing of the LT-2D3D laser templating system. They’ll have an opportunity to get hands-on with digital templating, using it along with the new LT3Raptor software in LPI’s training center.
Moving along to Addison, Ill., there’s a shop tour of The Countertop Factory Midwest (TCF). From its beginnings in 2005, TCF has become one of the largest countertop fabricators in the Midwest. Following the shop tour, attendees will participate in a roundtable discussion about the power of add-on sales.
To round out the crawl, attendees will swing by the Topgolf in Schaumburg, Ill. for an evening of fairway fun, food, drinks and networking.
“The ISFA Fabricator Crawl and Roundtable in Chicago will be one of the best fabricator-focused events of the summer,” said Nancy Busch, executive director of ISFA. “ISFA’s mission is to further the decorative surface industry by providing meaningful resources, training opportunities and events like this one, which helps fabricators connect and learn from one another.”
The Fabricator Crawl and Roundtable event is sponsored by Moraware, Park Industries and Wilsonart. It’s open to all fabricators, including nonmembers, and registration starts at just $49. Registration includes programming, transportation along the crawl route and meals
Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve their spot as soon as possible by visiting www.ISFAnow.org/industry-roundtable.
