Woodworking Network’s ClosetCon, held last month in West Palm Beach, Fla., once again brought together designers, manufacturers, installers, fabricators and business leaders from across North America for one of the closet industry’s premier educational and networking events. The conference showcased the latest trends in custom storage while reinforcing that success in today’s market depends on continual learning, collaboration and craftsmanship.
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the extensive educational program. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in classes covering design trends, sales strategies, fabrication technologies, installation best practices, manufacturing efficiencies, business development and emerging products. Sessions were filled with practical ideas that companies of every size can immediately implement to improve operations, increase profitability and deliver a better customer experience.
I was honored to present a session on Closet Gold, sharing proven methods for improving installation quality, reducing callbacks, increasing productivity and creating a more profitable installation process. Drawing from decades of field experience, the presentation emphasized that exceptional installations are built long before arriving at the jobsite through careful planning, communication, and standardized installation procedures.
As always, the networking throughout ClosetCon proved to be just as valuable as the classroom sessions. Manufacturers introduced new materials, hardware, machining technologies and software solutions while attendees exchanged ideas and discussed the future of custom storage. The collaborative spirit of the event continues to make ClosetCon one of the industry’s most worthwhile annual gatherings.
ClosetCon Design Awards
The conference concluded with the prestigious Top Shelf Design Awards, recognizing outstanding projects from some of North America’s most talented closet and storage professionals. This year’s competition once again demonstrated the remarkable creativity and craftsmanship that continues to elevate the industry.
Design: Domenic Marcolongo of Las Vegas Closet Design. Photo: Eric Marshall
A standout achievement belonged to Domenic Marcolongo of Las Vegas Closet Design, whose spectacular project After Dark earned both the Laminate Closet: Over 18 Linear Feet category award and the coveted Best of Show honor. Marcolongo’s work showcased exceptional design vision, meticulous detailing, and flawless execution, setting a new benchmark for luxury custom closet design. His success continued with another winning project, Grand Millennial Maximalism, in the Specialty category, along with Gucci Boutique, which captured the Wood Closet: Under 18 Linear Feet award. His multiple victories reflected an extraordinary level of creativity and consistency that impressed both judges and attendees.
Design: Wendy Scott of Timeless Closets and Cabinetry. Photo: Eric Marshall
Another designer receiving well-deserved recognition was Wendy Scott of Timeless Closets and Cabinetry, whose project Fit for a Queen earned top honors in the Laminate Closet: Under 18 Linear Feet category. Scott’s design demonstrated that thoughtful planning, elegant aesthetics and functional organization can come together to create a space that is both beautiful and highly livable.
Throughout the awards presentation, it became clear that today’s designers are pushing beyond traditional closet layouts. Luxury finishes, integrated lighting, boutique-inspired displays, hidden storage solutions and personalized organization continue to redefine what clients expect from custom storage spaces. The winning projects reflected not only exceptional craftsmanship but also a deep understanding of how homeowners live and interact with their space.
—Eric Marshall MSD and Closet Training Guru is cofounder of the Closet Training Institute and a NKBA Global Connect Advisor
