Convention Schedule

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Jumpstart your WMA experience with connections that matter. Join us for a casual pre-keynote kickoff coffee designed to help you meet fellow attendees, spark conversations, and quickly find your place within the WMA Community. Whether it’s your first convention or your first time connecting, this is where it starts

Start your day with purpose, connection, and inspiration at the Women in Millwork Leadership
Breakfast. This special gathering brings together women from across the industry to network,
share experiences, and build meaningful relationships that support both personal and professional
growth.

We are honored to welcome Colonel Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.), a 2019 National
Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, who will join us for this intimate breakfast ahead of her
Opening Session keynote. This unique opportunity offers attendees a more personal setting to
engage with her story of leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers.

Whether you are a seasoned leader or new to the industry, this event is designed to foster
connection, encourage conversation, and strengthen the community of women shaping the future
of millwork.

Registration is required—please select this event when completing your convention
registration.

We’ll open the 2026 WMA Annual Convention & Tradeshow with an unforgettable keynote from Colonel Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.), who brings a powerful and deeply human perspective on leadership, resilience, and navigating change. A combat veteran, former jet fighter pilot, and the first woman to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds, Nicole’s career alone is extraordinary—but it’s her journey beyond the cockpit that truly resonates.

After a distinguished 21-year career, Nicole faced a life-altering battle with a debilitating tick-borne illness that left her unable to walk or speak for months. What followed was not just recovery—but reinvention.

In her keynote, Harnessing Headwinds – Successfully Navigating Change and Adversity, Nicole uses the aviation concept of headwinds as a compelling metaphor for the challenges we all face in business and in life. Attendees will walk away with a renewed mindset on how to face uncertainty, push through failure, and lead with courage—even when the path forward isn’t clear.

As Nicole says, “Failure is the price of entry for achieving something great.”

This is not just a message about resilience—it’s about becoming resurgent.

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Get ready for one of the most interactive sessions of the convention! The WMA Business
Roundtable brings together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers for a fast-paced,
high-energy exchange of ideas.

Attendees will be divided into discussion tables, each focused on a timely, relevant topic
impacting the millwork industry—from labor and logistics to innovation and growth strategies.
With a dedicated facilitator at every table, expect deep conversations, diverse perspectives, and
actionable takeaways you can bring back to your business.

This isn’t a lecture—it’s a full-contact strategy session. Come prepared to speak up, listen
closely, and help shape the future of millwork

The millwork industry is constantly evolving—and staying ahead means being part of the
conversation. Join us for a forward-looking panel discussion focused on the ideas, challenges,
and opportunities shaping the future of our industry.

Bringing together a diverse group of industry voices, this session will explore where we’re
headed and how businesses can prepare for what’s next. From shifting market dynamics to
emerging innovations and changing expectations, we’ll take a broad view of the forces
influencing millwork today—and into the future.

Panelists will be announced soon.

Whether you’re a distributor, manufacturer, or supplier, this discussion is designed to spark
ideas, encourage dialogue, and leave you thinking differently about the road ahead.

Raise a glass and kick off the WMA Annual Convention & Tradeshow in style! The Icebreaker
Reception is your first chance to connect with fellow millwork professionals in a relaxed,
welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy hosted bars and a curated selection of hors d'oeuvres as you mix,
mingle, and build meaningful connections that will carry through the week. Whether
reconnecting with colleagues or meeting new faces, this is the perfect setting to start the WMA
Convention experience.