The Closet Institute of America
America’s #1 Resource for the
Independent Closet & Storage Business Community
Welcome to the CIA
America’s #1 Resource for the Independent Closet & Storage Business Community
The only North American Closet & Storage industry trade association exclusively for the Independent Closet Business Community and Vendor Partners
"If I had access to this type of resource 40 years ago when I started my independent closet business, I would have saved myself millions of dollars in costly and avoidable mistakes."
Jeff Klein – CIA Director
"As always, Jeff and the CIA team delivered in a big way in
Charlotte Summit in 2024.
Can't wait to see what they cook up for Nashville Summit in 2025".
Christian ~ Ruffino Closets ~ LA
More Benefits
Summit Conference Access
Timely Webinars and Podcasts
Zoom Discussion Sessions
Non-Compete SEALS Teams
Installation Jubilation Series
Shop Talk with Derrek
Industry Mentoring & Consultants
Member Referral Network
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Outsource Resource Index
Vendor/Supplier Index
Conflict Resolution Panel
Closet Locator Index
Legal Aid Consultants
Compare Your Business to Others
Competing Effectively
Closet Industry Statistics
Even More Benefits!
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Looking for networking opportunities with other non-competing closet companies.
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Seeking advice from established closet industry titans.
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Want to compare my closet company's performance against others of similar size and demographics.
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Searching for new sources of products and services.
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Pursuing closet industry events like conferences, Expos, training sessions and podcasts.
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I'm an industry vendor and want to reach out to the closet community.
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Inquiring about year-round opportunities for Zooms, discussion panels and round tables.
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Probing for experienced industry consultants or mentors.
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Have outgrown space and am investigating outsourcing my manufacturing.
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Looking for business forms, photos, systems and resources that are being shared among members.
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Considering expanding my existing cabinet business into the custom closet industry.
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Exploring getting into the closet industry and desperately need assistance.
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Business Forms, Photos & Resources?Looking for business forms, photos, systems and resources that are being shared among members?
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Industry Vendors, Suppliers, Products & Services?Searching for new or alternative sources of products and services?
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Expanding Your Business?Considering expanding your existing related business into the custom closet industry or exploring getting into this industry (start-up) and desperately need assistance?
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Expert Advice?Seeking advice from established and experienced closet industry titans?
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Events?Pursuing closet industry events like conferences, Expos, training sessions and podcasts?
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Networking?Looking for Networking opportunities with other Independent closet business owners and key staff? (Franchises are excluding from this site).
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Year-Round Online Opportunities?Inquiring about year-round opportunities for Zooms, discussion panels and round tables?
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Consultants & Professional Support?Probing for experienced industry consultants and support Professionals?
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Outsourcing Opportunities?Have you outgrown your space and are now investigating outsourcing your component manufacturing?
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Valuable Demographics, Data & Stats?Want to compare my closet company’s performance against others of similar size and demographics?
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Industry Vendor Relationships?Are you an industry vendor/supplier and want to reach out to the closest business community?
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I’m a Vendor – am I allowed to join the Thursday sessions?Yes! If you did not register for any of the sessions, you may join any room at any time, provided there is an open chair (with the exception of the SEALS teams).
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Where are meals served?Breakfasts and lunches are served in the Foyer and tables are in the Ballroom on Thursday and Friday.
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If I can't find Jeff, who should I reach out to?Some one should always be the CIA/Summit Central Command Center Registration Desk in the Foyer. Jeff’s cell phone is 912-313-9943. Otherwise, look for any Board Member with a gold print on black ribbon below their name badge.
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Why can’t the closet franchises attend?Franchises have their own support and networking structure. Independents have the CIA and Closet Summit.
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How do we get to the offsite activities?Two tour coaches (110 seats) are available at the Sonesta Foyer/Ballroom Entrance at 5:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, October 16th to take attendee for a showroom/shop tour at our host: The Closet Company. Many attendees are driving themselves and have room for additional Summiteers. Ask around. Addresses for the tours are found on your Summit Itinerary.
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What is the difference between the Summit and Woodworking Network’s ClosetCon event in the Spring?The Closet Summit is a two-day conference with a Vendor Expo embedded into the entire event. The Woodworking Network event is a two Vendor Expo with a closet conference tacked on the day before the Expo.
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What if my name does not appear on the Closet University syllabus for Thursday break-out sessions?You may join any room at any time, provided there is an open chair (with the exception of the SEALS teams). You must be pre-registered and assigned to a SEALS session).
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Why is the Summit relocated every year?Many factors come into play when selecting a site for the Summit. One of the primary concerns is the showroom and shop tour., this year hosted by: The Closet Company. We must have a volunteer host (no financial obligation) willing to receive hundreds of Summiteers visiting their facility on a Thursday afternoon.
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Where are we doing after hours sessions?The Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel's Tap Room Bar is the official after hours watering hole for Closet University Night School extra credits, ha, ha.
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What is the itinerary?It is handed out with your badge on Wednesday afternoon at 5pm, October 15th, 2025 in Nashville. It also appears on your WIX APP, and you can find it at our webpage: https://www.closetinstitute.org/closet-summit
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Why do you allow Vendors to attend? Why not keep it strictly a conference?The Vendors underwrite a large cost of producing a Closet Summit. Without them, your registration fees would be double what you paid. When asked in the post conference questionnaire if vendor inclusion at the Summit is preferred, 94% of attendees respond "YES".
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What is the Wifi code?Wifi code will be made available on the Ballroom projector screen at the start of Wednesday evening’s Vendorama Meet, Greet & Eat Happy Hours 5:30pm to 9pm.
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This is my first Summit, am I the only newbie?Hardly, there are approximately 50 first-timers. The number on your badge indicates how many Summits have been attended. #1 means this is the first Summit.
More Coming in 2025 ...
It's Coming Soon
12th Annual Closet Summit
Conference & Vendor Expo
Registration begins in March
for CIAMO Members ONLY
October 15th - 17th, 2025
Sonesta Nashville
Airport Hotel
Nashville, TN
