AWI prepares for annual convention in Salt Lake City

The Architectural Woodwork Institute will host its 63rd annual convention Sept. 27-29 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, focusing on the theme of “New perspectives for new challenges: An inspired path to the future.”

Group president Kent Gilchrist says the convention’s biggest benefit is networking opportunities.

“We create an atmosphere that makes that possible in many different ways through receptions and team-building events, the plant tours and all the way through to the final dinner we have,” Gilchrist told Woodshop News.

The convention also features an educational track, including an economic outlook from Alan Beaulieu, president of ITR Economics; a marketing presentation from Kevin Fisher of 3form; tips for attracting and retaining employees by Cam Marston, president of Generational Insights, and a technology update from Erik Fetzer of Fetzer Architectural Woodwork.

The agenda also includes two awards luncheons and closing dinner at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Plant tours are scheduled Fetzer Architectural Woodwork and 3form.

Gilchrist is expecting a big turnout. “In the past we’ve had 300 to 400 [attendees] and we’re hoping we’ll get up into those numbers again,” he says.

For information, visit www.awinet.org.

This article originally appeared in the August 2015 issue.