With COVID-19 hanging over the door, window and millwork industries, World Millwork Alliance aims to refresh its members’ strategies for the months ahead. Amid a juxtaposition between slow supply chains and increased demands, the Alliance’s upcoming conference is peppered with topics such as “Navigating Through the Pandemic” and “Recession-Proof Selling Skills.”

It’s been a blessing to be working in the millwork distribution industry this year, which has seen growth even amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Tim Hicks, WMA chairperson and vice president of Clay Ingels Company LLC. Housing shortages, low interest rates and a rise in home remodeling projects as families work from home and need more space are all factors that have led to increased demands.”

But with those blessings have also come challenges, he adds, including labor shortages, as pay rates compete with out-of-work incentives.

Held next Monday through Wednesday, WMA’s virtual event includes 15 sessions. Hicks will provide the opening message Monday at 10:10 a.m. From there, the event will shift to topics such as modernization and the future of distribution.

“Organizations are quickly shifting from traditional hierarchical structures to much more agile and digitally-supported teams,” says Tom Gale, CEO for Modern Distribution Management, who will headline one of the event’s sessions. For this reason, Gale says he plans to focus on how to rethink organizational design in order to “put the right people in the right seats.”

Following is a look at the event’s full schedule.

Monday, October 5

10:10 a.m. – Welcome Message, Tim Hicks, WMA chairperson
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. – The Future of Moulding Supply, Sponsored by Arauco
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Navigating Through the Pandemic: What Does the New Norm Really Mean, Michael Marks, Indian River Consulting Group
11:30 – 11:45 a.m. – “Spotlight” Presentation by Plastpro
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Practical Steps for Taking Your ‘Old School’ Business Digital, Amy Post, ODL Inc.
12:45 – 1:30 p.m. – Break
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. – First Look at New Door Product and Technology, Masonite
1:45 – 3:15 p.m. – Looking Past the Fear and the Noise: 2020-2022, Alex Chausovsky, ITR Economics

Tuesday, October 6

10 – 11 a.m. – Recession-Proof Selling Skills: Unleashing the Two Driver of Sales Predictability During Uncertain Times, Bradley Hartmann, Behind Your Back Sales, and WMA Member Guests: Tim Lyons, Brockway-Smith Co. and Mac Mayberry, ECMD, Inc.
11 – 11:15 a.m. – New Organic Doorglass Designs Help Homeowners bring the Calming Beauty of the Outdoors Into Their Homes, ODL Inc.
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – COVID-19: What We’ve Learned From the Pandemic, Carl McKenzie, U.S. Lumber Moderator and Panel Guests
12:15 – 1 p.m. – Break
1 – 1:15 p.m. – Cyber Security 2020 Style, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. – Investment Strategy Brief: An Economic and Market Update in the Time of COVID-19, Mike O’Keeffe, Stifel Investment Services
1:45 – 2:15 p.m. – Capital Market Update: Outlook for M&A and Financial Alternatives for Building Products Companies, John McNamara, Stifel Investment Services
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. – Essential Tools for Implementing a Digital Strategy, Manobyte
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – The Future of Work in Distribution Channels, Tom Gale, Modern Distribution Management and Panel Guests
3:30 – 3:35 p.m. – WMA Events, Carl McKenzie, Event Program Committee Chairperson

Wednesday, October 7

10 – 11 a.m. – Business Roundtable
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Roundtable Moderators
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – New Member and Millennial Meet and Greet
1:30 – 3 p.m. – Women in Millwork Roundtable