Education in Millwork with AWFS Director, Adria Salvatore
In Episode 12 of Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast, we host woodworking expert Adria Salvatore. Adria stresses the educational aspect of their woodworking event and its no-sales-pitch policy. They talk about the event's content, ranging from business management to woodworking techniques, and the evaluation process to maintain quality. The conversation extends to the importance of CNC technology in woodworking and the practical application of emerging technologies. Adria further highlights the networking opportunities the event offers and the extensive display of software, hardware, materials, and more. The episode concludes with Adria sharing their personal career journey and their passion for promoting the woodworking industry. Tune in to understand the woodworking event's impact and be inspired by Adria's expertise and passion for woodworking education and industry promotion.
About Our Guest:
Adria Salvatore has had a diverse career path that led her to her current role as the director of AWFS, an association focused on woodworking education and outreach. She initially started in the banking industry after completing her undergraduate degree in finance. However, she soon realized that the corporate world was not fulfilling for her. On a whim, Adria pursued a Master's in Marketing and began looking for opportunities to work with smaller, nonprofit organizations and directly impact people's lives.
In 2007, Adria stumbled upon a listing for a position as the education manager at AWFS, despite having no previous knowledge or experience in woodworking. She interviewed with the director, Nancy Fister, and immediately established a strong connection. Adria began running the Freshwood Student Woodworking Competition, a project she is extremely proud of. The competition brings together students from across North America, allowing them to showcase their woodworking projects and connect with industry professionals.
Due to her dedication and success with the Freshwood competition, Adria's role expanded over time. In 2017, when Nancy retired, she was asked to step into the director position. Currently, Adria oversees the Freshwood competition and the College of Woodworking Knowledge, which offers educational seminars. On the association side, she handles education outreach, public policy, membership, and aspects of marketing. Adria's passion for woodworking and her commitment to fostering talent and connections within the industry make her a valuable asset to AWFS.
Listen to the Full Episode:
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
Listeners will learn about the educational focus of the event and how the presentations are not sales pitches.
They will understand the importance of transparency and the evaluations conducted after each session.
Listeners will gain insight into the various tracks and topics covered at the event, including business management, leadership, and woodworking techniques.
They will learn about the speaker's background and their experience working with woodworkers.
Listeners will gain knowledge about the evolving landscape of CNC technology in the woodworking industry.
They will understand the significance of networking opportunities at the event and how it can benefit vendors, clients, and company owners.
The episode will highlight the importance of industry organizations like Manufacturing Day in promoting the woodworking industry to students and job seekers.
Listeners will learn about the Wood Industry Resource Collaborative's campaign, Youwood.com, and how it aims to promote careers in woodworking.
They will gain insight into the speaker's personal journey and how they transitioned from banking to working in the woodworking industry.
Listeners will gain an understanding of the speaker's role in overseeing educational competitions and programs for students and teachers in the woodworking industry.
Ideas Worth Sharing:
"Being able to provide our members and our members customers with education to advance their businesses, it just helps everybody grow. We want our industry to survive and thrive and get bigger and better. And we strongly believe that one of the best ways to do that is by informing everyone and everyone getting more educated and being able to enhance their own businesses. Everyone's just going to just get better." - Adria Salvatore
"...the younger we can introduce students to the show, the better. And likewise, by introducing teachers to our industry and bringing them to the show and giving them opportunities for professional development, they're going to spread that information to their students and they're going to enhance their programs." - Adria Salvatore
"We want to stay competitive and if we want to attract talent and grow our industry and see it expand in the next generation, we need to have a bigger voice and be more out there and bring more people in." - Adria Salvatore
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