2025 Convention Agenda
Wednesday, September 17
| Time | Event Name | Description | Instructor | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00am – 12:00pm | Digital Wall Covering | The digitally designed and produced wallcovering market is a rapidly growing portion of the industry. This class will familiarize the installers with the design process, the terminology of the digital printers, and how the installation process differs from standard printed wallcoverings. The multitude of print mediums, from standard vinyls to exotics such as silk will be discussed. Installation techniques, starting with the measuring and estimating process, laying out large-scale patterns, and seaming methods will all be shown. This course will provide invaluable insight and knowledge to all who attend. | David Torres | Edison North |
| 8:00am – 12:00pm | Anatomy of The Wall | What is that wall actually made of? What needs to be done to prepare for a wallcovering installation? Learn about different types of wall surfaces, such as plaster, drywall, wood or other unusual surfaces. Each type of surface changes the type of preparation necessary for a successful installation. The various coatings that may already have been applied, and how to test for the bond they have too the surface will be discussed. Patching, spackling and smoothing products will be shown, and how different types work in different situations. How do you determine the proper primers for each type of wall will round out this incredibly important session. | Charlie Gillie | Grand Hall North Alcove |
| 9:00am – 12:00pm | WIS/RIS | This class is designed for those who are beginning their career or who want to enhance their baseline skill set. Join other installers as we learn or refresh the basic nuances of installation. The class will feature lots of hands-on practical skill participation. Mentor Installers will be on hand during the class to share knowledge and tips. A mentor lunch time will be an opportunity to sit down and talk with a seasoned installer. This class is free to current RIS/WIS students and past graduates. | David Dubose, Mike Digilio, Shelly Wilkins, Greg Laux, Alfredo Chaparro, Bob Banker, Glen Jahn | Grand Hall |
| 1:00pm – 4:30pm | Wood Veneer | Wood veneer wallcoverings have become another growth segment in the wallcovering industry. The installation of these beautiful natural products can be a challenge, and this class will teach ways to assess the specific veneer being installed and lessen the angst of dealing with veneers. Techniques to soften the materials for trimming and wrapping corners will be shown. Trimming methods for detailed moldings, such as templating vs. relief cuts will be discussed and practiced. Installers of all skill levels and experience will benefit from this class. | Dennis Delpome | Edison South |
| 1:30pm – 4:00pm | WIS/RIS | This class is designed for those who are beginning their career or who want to enhance their baseline skill set. Join other installers as we learn or refresh the basic nuances of installation. The class will feature lots of hands-on practical skill participation. Mentor Installers will be on hand during the class to share knowledge and tips. A mentor lunch time will be an opportunity to sit down and talk with a seasoned installer. This class is free to current RIS/WIS students and past graduates. | David Dubose, Mike Digilio, Shelly Wilkins, Greg Laux, Alfredo Chaparro, Bob Banker, Glen Jahn | Grand Hall |
| 4:30pm – 6:00pm | 1st Timers | First time at the WIA Convention? This is the place to be! Learn the Ins and Outs of the Convention and the best ways to navigate it for the most rewarding experience. You are not alone and will meet other newcomers. This is your first “must do” networking experience to meet like-minded installers that you can build work relationships with that last well beyond the convention. | Bob Banker | Edison North |
| 7:00pm – 9:00pm | WIA Social Kick Off | Whether this is your first convention or your 20th, join the WIA family and catch up from the last convention or meet new members of the WIA family. Light Hors d’ Oeuvres and a cash bar will be available for this fun evening to kick off your convention experience. | Exhibit Corridor |
Thursday, September 18
| Time | Event Name | Description | Instructor | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30am – 9:45am | Opening Breakfast | Join longtime member and WIA 2024 and 2025 Convention Committee Chair, Phil Reinhard as he leads us in the kick-off of this special Indy, Full Throttle into Career Growth Convention. Phil will look at how the WIA has become an integral part of the wallcovering industry, and how your membership and participation in the WIA will continue to benefit not only you, our members, but the industry as a whole. He will also discuss how attendance at conventions and other events offered by the WIA can exponentially benefit your career. | Illinois Street Ballroom | |
| 10:00am – 12:00pm | Tabletops | The excitement is contagious for the return of this popular course. Engage in 15 minute discussions led by Multiple Installation Gurus on important industry topics – Wrapping Windows and Doors, Repairing Damaged Paper & Preventing Tears, Coloring Tips and Tricks, Switch Plates and Vents, Specialty Tools, De-mystifying Clay Coated Papers, Wall Prep, Liner Papers, and Keeping it Clean. | Sarah Smyth – Facilitator | Grand Hall |
| 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Effortless Growth:Modern Tools for Expanding Your Business Online | Discover how to grow your wallcovering business with minimal effort using the latest website, social media, and automation tools. This session will reveal hands-off strategies to streamline your digital presence, attract new clients, and build long-term success. From optimizing your website for maximum visibility to leveraging social media automation, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to grow your business while saving time. | Derek Rayburn | Edison South |
| 2:15pm – 3:15pm | Patterns and Motifs | How to place wallpaper patterns in a room for maximum artistic effect is a game changing skill. Expanding and shrinking patterns will be shown as methods to make patterns look like they were designed specifically for a particular room. This session will expand on one of last year’s most popular courses. | Amy Anderson | Grand Hall |
| 3:30pm – 4:15pm | Commercial Installation | This session will focus on ways to benefit from small to medium sized commercial installations. Taking advantage of the potential this market offers can significantly increase your bottom line. This course will cover hot to plan, coordinate and execute jobs in the market. | TBD | Grand Hall |
| 4:30pm – 6:30pm | Vendor Showcase | WIA vendor associate members will show and share their latest and greatest products in a relaxed social setting at this fantastic networking event. This is your opportunity to ask questions and get to know the fabulous associates who have supported the WIA. Don’t miss this fantastic evening. Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres will be provided. | Exhibit Corridor |
Friday, September 19
| Time | Event Name | Description | Instructor | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30am – 9:30am | How to Paper Arches | Wrapping wallcoverings into and around arches is a challenge. Learn ways to create a fluid look around arched openings. When to wrap part way into a curved arch and then overlap a new piece on top, or when making a butted seam at the cornier is the best way to approach the situation. See how different materials dictate what can be done. | Chris Roby | Grand Hall |
| 9:45am – 10:15am | Estimating | Methods of measuring spaces for wallcovering installation can be confusing, especially in odd areas. Learn what questions need to be asked of the designer or client to provide the proper information for an accurate estimate. See how pattern repeat and type affect quantities. Thje importance of calculating the right amount of overage will also be covered. | Shelly Wilkins | Edison South |
| 10:15am – 10:45am | How to Professionally Deal With Difficult Clients | We’ve all had them. The clients that expect the impossible, refuse to accept the limitations of the wallcovering they selected, want the job done in an impossible time frame, change their mind in the middle of a project or refuse to pay for proper prep. Learn the best way to discuss things with the customer politely, yet firmly enough to remain in control of the job. How to professionally walk away from a bad situation will also be covered. | Allison Dooley | Edison South |
| 11:00am – 11:45am | Seaming | Learn wet trimming, dry trimming and double cutting techniques. When is each one the right method for specific conditions and wallcovering will be discussed. Different methods of working the seam can make a difference in the finished product. Coloring seams and edges to disguise them will also be a segment of this informative course. | Joan Hobbs | Grand Hall |
| 12:00am – 2:00pm | Craftmanship Luncheon | This celebration luncheon features a continuous slide show of the fantastic work performed by our installers over the past year. Be a part of this event and show off you’re your own work by SUBMITTING YOUR PROJECTS or just sit back and enjoy the amazing art on the wall created by the membership. | Illinois Street Ballroom | |
| 2:15pm – 3:15pm | Silks, Fabrics & Textiles | Eliminate the fear of working with fabrics as wallcoverings even when they are not intended for use as wallcovering, fabrics already backed, and stain treated. How to specify to a designer or client what type of backing will work best for the specific fabric being installed will be covered. Completing a fabric job will be shown to include table trimming, dry hanging, working without a skew patterns, etc. | K.L. Connor | Grand Hall |
| 3:30pm – 4:30pm | Table Trimming | Returning by demand!! With the expansion of the number of untrimmed wallcovering, knowing how to precisely and consistently trim selvedge from wallcoverings is critical to the success of today’s installers. Learn both wet and dry table trimming methods, and when to use each. | Phil Reinhard | Grand Hall |
| 4:00pm – 4:30pm | Organize Your Vehicle | Multiple ways to get the most use from space in your work vehicle will be discussed. Whether you drive a full size van, a pickup truck or an SUV, you will see organizational setups that make it possible to carry all of your tools and equipment safely, and without damaging a thing. | Max Kahan | Edison North |
| 7:00pm – 11:00pm | Roaring 20’s Speak Easy | WIA is Puttin’ on the Ritz… at the 2025 convention. Step out in your favorite flapper dress or zoot suit (leave the tommy gun at home) as we have a fun night of gaming and a flash back to the roaring 1920’s. This Speakeasy Party will be the cat’s pajamas! | Grand Hall |
Saturday, September 20
| Time | Event Name | Description | Instructor | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00am – 8:45am | Body Mechanics | Taking care of your body is critical while working in the wallcovering installation field. Little things like how to hold the roller when pasting a sheet, finding the right height for the work table, carrying adhesives and so much more have a direct affect of your body. Prevention of the wear and tear injuries will be discussed for career longevity. | Kevin Lowe and Andrew Hackney | Grand Hall |
| 9:00am – 10:00am | Panel Discussion – Adhesive Selections | Imagine having the opportunity to ask questions of some of the most experienced installers in the WIA! Meet the Masters of the Industry, a panel of experienced members who will field questions submitted by the membership. Panel members will have a wealth of knowledge on almost any topic within the installation field. How to network, intricacies of dealing with scenic and fine art wallpapers, or just something that’s just been gnawing at you are some of the many things that may be discussed as you the installer have the opportunity to ask the questions. | Sarah Smyth, Jeanette Gilbreath, Bill Armstrong, Joan Hobbs, Phil Reinhard, Jeff Ragland, Jeff Evans | Grand Hall |
| 10:00am – 11:00am | Engineering | Often overlooked, the importance of engineering a job for both mechanical and artistic success will be shown in this important session. Planning where every seam will land on the wall to avoid difficulties, while still paying heed to pattern placement is a key element to improving both the time required to complete a project and the look of the project finished. | Grand Hall | |
| 11:30am – 12:30pm | Round Table Discussion | Take part in this popular program where a multitude of topics are discussed. Moderators will guide attendees through this fun, interactive session. | Illinois Street Ballroom | |
| 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Plumb vs. Out of Plumb | Sometimes doing it wrong is doing it right. See how installing a wallcovering out of plumb can actually fool the eye into thinking that the out of plumb and out of level architecture IS level and plumb. | Brian Atchley | Edison North |
| 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Saving for Retirement: What’s out there? | How does one take Advantage of Secure Act 2.0 and looking forward to a possible Secure Act 3.0. Join Mark as he discusses the importance of planning for your future. | Mark Harmon, Investment Advisor | Edison South |
| 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Olympics | Wrap up your time at the WIA Convention with this fun and skill-based competition. Skills taught throughout the convention will be used in multiple fun challenges where teams will be scored on creativity, technical skills, and following the theme of each challenge. Learn and laugh while working with your fellow installers. Form a team but don’t forget a creative name and look for your group! | Grand Hall | |
| 6:30pm – 9:30pm | WIA Farewell Dinner | As is the tradition of the WIA, we close the convention with our Farewell Celebration. A scrumptious dinner will include the presentation of the WIA Member of the Year Award. You won’t want to miss the one last hurrah with your WIA friends and family. | Illinois Street Ballroom |
Disclaimer: Course availability and timing may be adjusted.