Chris Hacker, vice president of James L. Taylor Mfg. and chair of IWF, talked with Woodworking about the importance of North America’s largest industry show and the countless benefits and opportunities it affords woodworking professionals all in one place
What’s new at IWF in 2024? What will visitors notice at this year’s show? How does it compare to previous shows?
Chris Hacker: For this upcoming IWF Show in Atlanta, Georgia this August, attendees will experience a larger footprint with 1,100+ exhibitors in the three show halls. There will also be a larger international presence.
With COVID travel restrictions lifted worldwide, we can now enjoy attendees and exhibitors from around the world. Although 2022 was a successful IWF Show, there was still a lagging of international participation due to COVID travel restrictions in other countries. Preliminary numbers point to overall participation of 27,000+ at this year’s IWF.
What are some of the new features and highlights awaiting attendees at this year’s show?Chris Hacker: Regarding new features, attendees will have an additional show tool available to them in the way of Taylor the new A.I. chatbot. Taylor will be on the IWF app and website to assist in answering basic show questions. This brand new platform offers technology to all attendees via the IWF App. As always, our experienced and professional IWF show staff will be available throughout the show to assist and field questions
What sets IWF apart from other industry events and what makes it such an important show for the industry?Chris Hacker: IWF as a brand, for over three decades, provides everyone, from the one-person shop to large woodworking manufacturers a substantial platform for getting the deep dive of the woodworking industry.
Exhibitors can showcase new technology and innovations for firsthand viewing to attendees, it features over 30+ educational conferences and industry symposiums, and there will be demonstrations of machinery ranging from the largest to the smallest. In addition exhibitors can showcase new goods and services.
The IWF show is the largest woodworking industry gathering in North America to do business, learn ways to grow your business and see a broad spectrum of products and services all under one roof.
What are your expectations as far as visitors and exhibitors are concerned? And since IWF has always attracted many international visitors, what are your expectations for this year?
Chris Hacker: As Chair of the IWF 2024 show and as a long-time exhibitor, my expectations is that visitors will feel welcome and have a friendly, professional show climate to do their business while they enjoy a larger, broader exhibitor presence. For exhibitors, we can operate machinery in person with an increased number of potential customers. We look forward to an increased international participation to help grow not only the IWF brand, but also as an exhibitor company.
What are your main objectives for this year’s show?
Chris Hacker: The main objectives of the IWF Show is to:
Provide a safe, professional platform to do business and network with a broad spectrum of folks in the woodworking industry.
Offer a location that is easy to get to - Atlanta, Georgia has the largest airport and can be easily accesses from anywhere in the world.
The downtown and Metro Atlanta area provides a premier location for attendees and exhibitors to enjoy a friendly, inviting business atmosphere.
Make available educational programs and new technology readily available to all in our industry.
Could you talk about how Canadian visitors can benefit from visiting IWF?
Chris Hacker: As with all domestic and international visitors looking to do business at IWF, we certainly welcome and appreciate the participation from the entire Canadian market. Over the years, our partners to the north provide a vast amount of professional and expertise in the woodworking industry. With COVID no longer a travel factor, we look forward to enjoy a much larger Canadian presence.
To the benefit of folks travelling long distances from all points in Canada, they’ll be able to see the largest array of machinery, goods and services under one roof.
IWF provides the greatest bang for your buck on the investment of time and money to view the biggest and best selection of machinery, goods and services our industry has to offer
Have you had feedback from exhibitors? How is the mood in the run-up to the show?
Chris Hacker: I will say the mood going into the show is very positive with much excitement to meet with a larger attending crowd. The mood is “ Lets do good business,” at this show, as IWF has proven over the decades to be a leading industry platform for creating quality of content and interaction for attendees and exhibitors.
Could you talk about the educational programs you are offering?
Chris Hacker: Monday is Symposium day; there will be a Mass Timber Conference, which is new for 2024. And with more than 30 educational sessions during the four days of the show, we will offer topics ranging from labour and business management to automation in the workplace.
This year’s IWF show will have a larger footprint and we expect a larger attendance sending the clear message that IWF is the largest North American event to see new technology, put hands on equipment and to put your business in focus
for quality content, networking
with industry professionals and
grow your company.
