Another successful trip to the annual Custom Workroom Conference is in the books!
We always look forward to the annual CWC!
This fabulous event, organized by Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker, attracts some of the very best educators, product developers, makers, and leaders in the custom soft furnishings industry.
This year's CWC was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center in Concord, NC. The event draws attendees from across the US. But with our workroom located down the road in Burlington, NC, we were lucky to be just a short drive away. Making our way into the convention center, you could feel the buzz in the air. The excitement and enthusiasm for the event was infectious!
But first, let's talk a little more about Susan...
From online resources on her blog and YouTube channel, to her custom sewing classes at Workroom Tech in Tryon, NC, Susan Woodcock is incredibly active in our industry. She is a huge proponent of workroom education, and you can find more of her online courses available among many other talented instructors on the The Workroom Channel online.
We feel so lucky to share our home state of North Carolina with Susan!
The 3-day event began on Monday, September 16th, with various classes and hands-on instruction. Joan I were able to attend the Exhibitor Marketplace the following day on September 17th. There were tons of booths with familiar faces-companies we've worked with for many years, supplying custom workroom essentials, innovative product lines, and exciting technological advances in our industry!
Combining technology with the traditional, old-world craftsmanship behind handcrafted window treatments is challenging, but extremely beneficial to everyone in our industry. Considering that, Joan and I were thrilled to meet the founder of QUIPA (quick intelligent personal assistant), an online tool for custom workrooms and their clients to achieve faster, more efficient quoting and order processing!
Another personal highlight for me was meeting Ceil DiGuglielmo, host of the Sew Much More Podcast. Ceil had contacted me about an interview for her podcast several weeks before CWC. I was so excited and honored for the opportunity to be a part of one of her podcast episodes. It meant so much to be among countless other creative individuals interviewed by Ceil.
As the exhibitor marketplace came to a close, Ceil brought together the members in our industry that she had interviewed for a big group photo. This was a very special moment. Ceil has touched so many lives through her podcast. I highly recommend checking it out! You can stream the episodes online here, or listen on your iPhone through Apple Podcasts.
The evening wrapped up with a WCAA cocktail party sponsored by Rowley. Delicious hors d'oeuvres accompanied by beer and wine was the perfect way to cap off a successful day at the CWC Exhibitor Marketplace! We had a great time talking and sharing ideas with even more industry friends old and new.
If you were an attendee this year, what were your experiences like at the Custom Workroom Conference? Leave a comment below.
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