2023 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

May 1st-3rd 2023

Location

Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center

Women in Finishing FORUM 2022 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

Misty Yeomans Color Styling Manager, Americas Automotive PPG
Hope Dollarhide Project Engineer FANUC America Corporation
Dr. Audrey Murrell Professor Business Administration University of Pittsburgh
Shelley Verdun Business Manager, Powder Coatings Americas Region PPG
Angela Kokesh Sr. Manufacturing Engineering Manager Life Fitness
Holly Gotfredson President Finishing Dynamics
Madeline Lux-Wells Production Manager Bean's Best Manufacturing LLC
Julia Murray VP Global Marketing Communications MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions
Chris Kuehl CCAI Economist Armada Corporate Intelligence

Schedule of Events

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Monday, May 1st 2023
6:00 pm
Evening Networking Reception
7:00 pm
Dinner on your own
Tuesday, May 2nd 2023
7:30 am
Depart Hotel for Tour
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Facility Tour & Breakfast
9:30 am
Depart Tour Facility for Hotel
10:15 am - 11:30 am
General Session
Welcome - CCAI Overview
  • Sheila LaMothe, VP Strategic Initiatives Chemical Coaters Association International
Year of the Rabbit - Who Wins? Tortoise or Hare?
  • Chris Kuehl, CCAI Economist Armada Corporate Intelligence
11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Lunch
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
General Session
Color Trends in Finishing
  • Misty Yeomans, Color Styling Manager, Americas Automotive PPG
The Role of Automation in Finishing
  • Hope Dollarhide, Project Engineer FANUC America Corporation
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Team Building Exercise
5:45 pm - 6:15 pm
Complimentary Business Portraits
6:30 pm
Networking Reception & Dinner
Wednesday, May 3rd 2023
7:30 am - 8:15 am
Breakfast
8:15 am - 12:00 pm
General Session
Why Mentoring Matters
  • Dr. Audrey Murrell, Professor Business Administration University of Pittsburgh
My Journey to Leadership Panel
  • Shelley Verdun, Business Manager, Powder Coatings Americas Region PPG
  • Angela Kokesh, Sr. Manufacturing Engineering Manager Life Fitness
  • Holly Gotfredson, President Finishing Dynamics
  • Madeline Lux-Wells, Production Manager Bean's Best Manufacturing LLC
Building Your Personal Business Plan
  • Julia Murray, VP Global Marketing Communications MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions
12:00 pm
Closing Lunch
1:00 pm
WiF FORUM Concludes

Schedule subject to change.

Presenting Sponsor


Silver Sponsors


Lanyard Sponsor


Tote Bag Sponsor


Sponsorships are still available.
Download Sponsorship Brochure

Registration

Registration Fees
  • CCAI-WiF Member: $525

  • Non-Member: $625
Registration Includes:
  • Welcome Reception
  • Transportation to/from tour facility
  • Admission to all event presentations
  • Team building exercise
  • Refreshment breaks
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner on Tuesday
  • WiF FORUM shirt
  • Breakfast & 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!
Not a Member?

Join today and save money on your registration fees. An individual CCAI membership is just $95 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 of $169 plus tax at the Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center . 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.


Room Rate

$169 plus tax

Discounted parking

$29 per night

Rate includes: Complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour access to fitness studio & indoor pool, hair dryer and coffee.

Make Your Hotel Reservation

You do not need to enter any codes to get our rate; it should note Women in Finishing FORUM – 2023 next to the rate.

The hotel cutoff date for reservations at the discounted rate is Monday, April 10th 2023.

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.

Application deadline has passed.