Photo: Woodworking
Ontario reopening bodes well for WMS.
Given the momentum of the reopening progress in Ontario, organizers are optimistic the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo, scheduled for Nov. 4-6, will proceed as planned.
"We're encouraged by the reopening steps that are happening now in Ontario and the rest of Canada," said Tim Fixmer, president and CEO of CCI Canada, Inc., which manages the event. "We are optimistic that WMS will be very close to business as usual by our dates in early November," he said.
Fixmer pointed to another Woodworking Network event, the Closets Conference & Expo, held June 8-10 in West Palm Beach, Florida as a positive indicator that face-to-face events are back.
"Our recently held Closets Conference & Expo and Wood Pro Expo Florida had near-record attendance with a superb level of buying activity, a testimony to the fact that the industry is hungry to get back to business and do so at face-to-face events."
Fixmer said the WMS team has bi-weekly calls with staff from the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario making sure that the team is ready with information for exhibitors and attendees as soon as possible.
WMS 2019 attracted attendees from nine Canadian provinces and two territories. The 2019 edition featured 75,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and more than 175 exhibitors.
WMS Live
Mike Baker, chief executive officer of the Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario, said his organization is planning a full slate of programs for WMS Live, which is a stage on the show floor that provides ongoing education during show hours.
“Watch for the schedule,” said Baker. “We’ll be offering programming on subjects ranging from sales, health and safety, and leadership to purchasing and digital integration.”
WMS also partners with the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association, the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers of Canada, the Wood Manufacturing Council, and the Canadian Woodworking Machinery Distributors Association.
