2024 Women in Finishing FORUM Logo

The Women in Finishing (WiF) FORUM 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 industrials finishing, and much more.

All women who have chosen or are pursuing a career in industrial finishing, from the finishing line to executive management, are invited and encouraged to attend the WiF FORUM.

Dates

April 15th-17th 2024

2024 Women in Finishing FORUM Program

The Women in Finishing (WiF) FORUM features a variety of professional and personal development sessions and workshops geared toward women, as well as 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, and much more.

All women who have chosen or are pursuing a career in industrial finishing, from the finishing line to executive management, are invited and encouraged to attend the WiF FORUM.


Featured Speakers & Panelists

Holly Gotfredson President Finishing Dynamics
Ginger Zumaeta CEO Motive 3
Fiona Levin-Smith Vice President Marketing & Specification IFS Coatings
Nancy Diaz-Elsayed Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering University of South Florida
Purvee Bhatia Ph.D. Candidate, Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory University of South Florida
Chantel Soumis Head of Marketing Steelhead Technologies
Shauna Walwood Key Account Manager PPG
Noemi Arraya Director Operations & Talent Management GAT Finishing Systems
Jessica Moskow Powder Coat Manager Professional Plating
Jane Knoblock Business Development Manager Raphael Industries

Schedule of Events

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Monday, April 15th 2024
5:00 pm
Speed Networking & Welcome Reception
7:00 pm
Dinner on your own
Tuesday, April 16th 2024
7:30 am
Depart Hotel for Plant Tour
8:00 am
Plant Tour
9:30 am
Depart Tour Facility for Hotel
10:15 am - 11:45 am
General Session
Welcome
  • Sheila LaMothe, VP Strategic Initiatives Chemical Coaters Association International
The Winning Formula: Performance, Image, and Exposure
  • Ginger Zumaeta, CEO Motive 3
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Lunch
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm
General Session
Advancing Architecture: Exploring Coatings in Construction
  • Fiona Levin-Smith, Vice President Marketing & Specification IFS Coatings
  • Holly Gotfredson, President Finishing Dynamics
Innovations in Manufacturing and Opportunities with AI
  • Nancy Diaz-Elsayed, Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering University of South Florida
  • Purvee Bhatia, Ph.D. Candidate, Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory University of South Florida
3:30 pm
Team Building Exercise at Disney Springs
6:00 pm
Networking Dinner at Disney Springs
Wednesday, April 17th 2024
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
General Session
Creative Thinking Strategies to Breakthrough Roadblocks
  • Chantel Soumis, Head of Marketing Steelhead Technologies
My Journey to Leadership Panel
  • Fiona Levin-Smith, Vice President Marketing & Specification IFS Coatings
  • Noemi Arraya, Director Operations & Talent Management GAT Finishing Systems
  • Jessica Moskow, Powder Coat Manager Professional Plating
  • Jane Knoblock, Business Development Manager Raphael Industries
Building Partnerships to Create Mutual Success Shauna
  • Shauna Walwood, Key Account Manager PPG
12:00 pm
Closing Lunch
1:00 pm
WiF FORUM Concludes

Schedule subject to change.

Presenting Sponsor


Platinum Sponsors


Silver Sponsors


Bronze Sponsors


Lanyard Sponsor


Tote Bag Sponsor


Sponsorships are still available.
Download Sponsorship Brochure

Registration

Registration Fees
  • CCAI-WiF Member: $525

  • Non-Member: $675
Registration Includes:
  • Speed networking & welcome reception
  • Transportation to/from plant tour
  • Admission to all event presentations
  • Refreshment breaks
  • Lunch & dinner on Tuesday
  • Team building exercise
  • WiF FORUM t-shirt
  • Closing lunch on Wednesday

Group Discount: Register two or more people from the same company at the same time to receive the group discount. The first registrant pays the full registration fee and each additional attendee receives a 10% discount.

If you are a CCAI-WiF member, you must log into your member account to receive the membership discount.

Register Now! Download the Brochure
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! Join Now!

CANCELLATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Cancellations received 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a refund of registration fees less a $50 processing fee. Registrations cancelled within 30 days are non-refundable.

Name substitutions are always permitted at no cost.

The Venue

Hotel

We have made arrangements for a discounted group rate at the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs® Area. Use the link below to make reservations directly with the hotel.

Note, rooms are limited at these rates so be sure to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Please book your room within our block listed below as it enables us to keep costs low for attendees. We are contractually obligated to the hotel to pick up rooms in our hotel block. In order to manage this process, the hotel provides us with a list of attendee names and arrival/departure dates. By registering to attend the WiF FORUM, you agree to allow the hotel to share your hotel reservation information for us in order to track pick up.

Please make your reservations by Friday, March 22nd 2024 to receive your group rate. Reservations made after this date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referring to your group number 10067311.


Room Rate

King $169/per night + taxes
2 Queens (space limited) $199/per night + taxes

Rate includes:

  • Complimentary Hot Breakfast - Enjoy scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruit, potatoes, pastries, the all-important coffee and more. Hot, fresh, and, best of all, free. Free hot breakfast is served daily from 6-9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7-10 a.m. on weekends.
  • Complimentary Evening Drinks and Snacks* - Join us from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. every evening to enjoy complimentary hot food and cold beverages at our 5:30 Kickback®. The Hotel features a rotating menu of hot food, beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi Throughout the Hotel - Get the score, check social networks or email family members in the hotel!
  • On-Site Facilities - Take advantage of the business center, fitness center or pool while away from home. Print boarding passes, finish a presentation or check e-mail in the Hotel’s business centers.

*Service of alcohol is subject to state and local law including laws relating to the sale, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors and intoxicated persons, and laws governing the type of alcohol that may be provided. Alcoholic beverages are not complimentary and require a nominal charge at the following hotels due to state and local laws: Drury Inn Bowling Green, Drury Suites Paducah, Drury Inn Paducah, Drury Inn & Suites Louisville East, Drury Inn & Suites Louisville North, Drury Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport, and Drury Plaza Hotel Downtown Pittsburgh.

Make Your Hotel Reservation

The rate should be pre-filled; it should note Chemical Coaters Association International under the group code.

The hotel cutoff date for reservations at the discounted rate is Friday, March 22nd 2024.

ORLANDO AREA AIRPORTS

Orlando International Airport - MCO
Distance to Hotel: 17.7 mi
www.orlandoairports.net
Orlando Executive Airport – ORL
Distance to Hotel: 19.5 mi
www.orlandoairports.net
Orlando Sanford International Airport - SFB
Distance to Hotel: 44.0 mi
www.orlandosanfordairport.com
Kissimmee - ISM
Distance to Hotel: 8.8 mi
www.kissimmeeairport.com
Tampa International Airport - TPA
Distance to Hotel: 82.4 mi
www.tampaairport.com

Note: Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs® Area does not provide airport shuttle service.

ENJOY ORLANDO

One of the world’s favorite spots, Orlando offers a wide variety of parks, entertainment complexes, restaurants and world-class shopping. Many attendees will bring family to enjoy Orlando before or after the Women in Finishing FORUM.

Elizabeth Teska Women in Finishing FORUM Scholarship

Established to honor the memory of one of WiF’s first official members, the Elizabeth Teska Women in Finishing FORUM Scholarship Program aims to support women in the industrial finishing and coatings industry by expanding their opportunity to participate in WiF programs. Specifically, the scholarship will enable more women to participate in the annual WiF FORUM by covering registration fees and accommodation costs for two nights for up to two successful applicants annually. Recipients are selected by the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation Board of Directors.

Eligibility:
  • Must be a woman currently involved in the industrial finishing and coatings industry. Priority consideration given to CCAI/WiF members.
  • Submissions from individual applicants and nominations accepted.

Applications will be accepted beginning in September