The Women in Finishing (WiF) FORUM is an annual event for all women who  are pursuing a career in industrial finishing. No matter your current function, from the finishing line to executive management, if you’re female you are invited and encouraged to attend the FORUM.

WiF FORUM 2025 

May 7-9, 2025

Embassy Suites Downtown

Grand Rapids, MI.

This special event features a variety of professional development and industry related sessions geared toward women in our industry. Supplementing the general sessions is a finishing facility tour, networking and team building activities.

Through unique programming, participants will learn new ways to deal with issues that impact effectiveness, maximize professional impact, build strategies for success, learn about the latest trends in industrial finishing, and much more. We promise you’ll meet a lot of great women and you’ll definitely learn something you can use!

THE VENUE

Embassy Suites Grand Rapids Downtown
710 Monroe Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 512-5700

Make your hotel reservations right here, right now!
Average price per night: $179-$189

Or, if you prefer, you can check nearby hotel here 

Read what Sheila LaMothe, CCAI VP of Strategic Initiatives, has to say about the 2024, 5th Anniversary WiF event held last April in Orlando :

When we started the WiF FORUM back in 2019, we hoped it would become a leading resource for women in the finishing industry for professional development, networking, and relevant industry information. Five years later, I think all of us at CCAI agree that it has surpassed our wildest dreams.

Sheila continues:

The WiF FORUM is unique in the industry and with the ongoing employment challenges our industry faces, it is crucial that we show our women that finishing offers career opportunities worth pursuing and sticking around for. With the combination of our incredible speakers, financial support from our sponsors, and the commitment from finishing companies of all types and sizes that invest in their women giving them the opportunity to experience the WiF FORUM – we are making it happen.

WiF FORUM is the only national Finishing Industry event held specifically for women and features a variety of professional development and industry related sessions geared toward women in our industry.

The annual two-day professional development conference has grown in popularity since its inception in 2019 and welcomes all women involved in the industry, from the finishing line to executive management.

The diversity in job function and experience in the industry is a big part of what makes the FORUM so beneficial. Newcomers learn from the experience of industry veterans, and all participants build their professional networks, states Sheila.

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Sponsorship opportunities:

2022 Elizabeth Teska Women in Finishing FORUM Scholarship recipients

Each year the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation Board of Directors selects two recipients of the  Elizabeth Teska Women in Finishing FORUM Scholarship which covers registration fees and hotel accommodations costs.

Sponsorships are available! Support the Women in Finishing FORUM and get noticed.

CLICK HERE to review the WiF FORUM Sponsorship Brochure.

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WiF Attendee Comments:

Below are some comments from last year’s FORUM attendees. All feedback is valued greatly and used to improve future events and to offer relevant programming. Check out the praise for the event!

This was one of the most beneficial conferences I have ever been to. I learned so much and felt this was a time of professional development and networking.

A great conference! I have never walked away from a conference feeling happy and satisfied. A wonderful group of people.

Really enjoyed the technical components. I think these are really valuable.

One of the best business forums that I have attended. From the attendees to the speakers, it was informative and fun!

CCAI members get registration discounts. Not a Member?
Join today and save money on your registration fees. An individual CCAI membership is just $125 and includes your Women in Finishing membership.

For more information on Women in Finishing , visit www.womeninfinishing.org

or contact Sheila LaMothe at 859-356-1030 / sheila@goyermgt.com.

Contact:
Sheila LaMothe
sheila@goyermgt.com
859-356-1030

pcoadmin 2024