Founded in 1911, The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS), started as the Suppliers Chapter of the California Furniture Manufacturers Association. In 1979, the organization became a separate entity in order to better focus on representing the interests of companies and individuals who supply the home and institutional furnishing manufacturing industries. Now as the largest trade association serving the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, AWFS has more than 400 members, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, software, tooling, lumber, components, wood products and supplies for the woodworking industry including cabinet, furniture, millwork and custom woodworking products.
From its headquarters in Southern California, AWFS® works closely with other trade groups of mutual concern to protect its members’ interests and strengthens the future of the industry. AWFS® has a strong commitment to industry education which is visible through such programs as the College of Woodworking Knowledge (CWWK) Seminar Program of the AWFS Fair, the educational database website WoodIndustryEd.org and the Fresh Wood Student Woodworking Competition. AWFS®‘s local chapter Young Furniture Associates (YFA) offers networking and educational opportunities to Southern California industry professionals including golf tournaments, softball and bowling events, a fund-raising silent auction and dinner and plant and school tours.
The non-profit organization also owns and produces the biennial AWFS®Fair. Every two years, thousands of serious woodworking professionals gather at AWFS®Fair to keep their businesses productive, competitive and on the cutting edge. The fair helps them to gain unparalleled access to the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, construction materials and other suppliers to the furniture, cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers. Known as the industry’s innovation marketplace, AWFS®Fair attracts thousands of woodworking professionals to Las Vegas for in-depth, top-quality training and a broad-based look at the newest technology solutions for their operations. As the AWFS®Fair continues to grow its brand internationally it is launching the “Committed to Exporting” program to link overseas buyers with AWFS®Fair exhibitors. “This is a natural extension of our commitment to expanding the breadth and reach of the AWFS Fair”, stated Angelo Gangone, AWFS Executive Vice President. “The Committed to Export drive came out of a recommendation by past exhibitors who increasingly realize the importance of the international marketplace.”
The next AWFS®Fair will take place in Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Las Vegas, Nevada, United States between July 22 and 25, 2015.
