National Upholstery Association

Events for all NUA events are displayed in the calendar below. Members can view events not available to public.

If you are an Industry Partner, you can advertise up to 6 trade show appearances/events on the calendar each year. If you are an Educator member, you can advertise up to 12 classes on the calendar each year. To add events, contact us.

Upcoming events

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Everything Is Possible: What Seams Possible Upholstery Has Learned From Establishing a Small Business in Challenging Times

When
January 13, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

With Shannon Jenson

Shannon will talk about the ups and downs of owning a small, growing workroom. If you're on your own and thinking about expanding, looking to start or grow your business, or just need to know you're not alone, please join us! Some of the topics covered will be how to provide great customer service, HR challenges, and how to find and utilize resources. Bring your questions!

Shannon Jensen owns Seams Possible Upholstery with her husband Shawn.
Shawn and their team do the upholstery and Shannon runs the business.
She had a long career in higher education as an academic advisor before the pandemic pulled her in a different direction. Shannon and Shawn opened their workroom in 2022 and have been learning and growing ever since.

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Mastering the curve of the 60’s design

When
February 10, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

With Anne Williams

We will go through the tools, glue and foam necessary as well as choosing the right fabric and learn the techniques to tailor the curve depending of the design of the chair .

Anne Williams was born in Normandy, France, where she enrolled in an upholstery trade school at the young age of 15.She pursue a passion for the trade by traveling around the world —from Paris to England, then Australia—before finally settling in the United States.

In 2019, Anne founded Atelier Douce France, a workroom dedicated to high-end residential upholstery and custom furniture design. With more than 20 years of experience, she continues to share her knowledge as an educator and mentor, inspiring others who are eager to learn the art of upholstery.

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Repairing and Stabilizing Damaged Frames: Three Case Studies

When
March 10, 2026

1:00 PM

With Michael Mascelli

This presentation will explain and illustrate techniques for the repair of worn and damaged wooden upholstery frame components so that they can be reused successfully with the use of modern non-reversible materials. This method is an alternative to minimally intrusive treatments which are appropriate for museum and historic pieces and provides a cost-effective way of saving the countless wooden frame members that are too damaged to hold new tacks or staples. Slides of three projects showing variations of the method will be shown along with a short demonstration of a typical frame repair.

MIKE MASCELLI has been a student and practitioner of the upholstery trade for nearly 50 years and divides his time between the worlds of classic cars and classic furniture. He has provided upholstery for national champion cars and furniture that is on display at the US House of Representatives and numerous historic homes and private collections. He is also the longtime Director of the Professional Refinisher’s Group an organization of professionals in the conservation and restoration trades, from whom he has learned much of the science, art and craft of wood finishing. Mike actively lectures and teaches, and has instructed hundreds of students in basic and advanced upholstery techniques as well as the fundamentals of wood finishing at the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking, the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, and numerous other schools and organizations both in person and online in both America and England.

He contributed an essay on 18th century upholstery techniques for Roubo on Furniture by Don Williams (Lost Art Press). Mike has also published a number of articles on various aspects of historic upholstery in the Journal of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM) and on modern upholstery for Fine Woodworking. He has also completed several instructional videos on upholstery and finishing for Popular Woodworking, and Fine Woodworking, and was a presenter at the “Working Wood in the 18th c.” conference at Williamsburg VA. In the summer of 2024 Fine Woodworking released an online course: Foundations of Furniture Finishing” presented by Mike.

In addition to driving some classic cars, Mike and his wife are the very proud grandparents of two small boys who are the main focus of semi-retirement.

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Renewabl: Visualize the Work. Elevate the Craft. Close with Confidence

When
April 14, 2026

1:00 AM

with Riana LeJeune
The upholstery trade has always been rooted in craftsmanship—but today’s clients expect clarity, speed, and confidence before they say yes.

In this live webinar, Riana LeJeune, Founder & CEO of Repinned Luxury Upholstery and creator of the Renewabl App, introduces a groundbreaking visualization and lead-generation platform built specifically for upholsterers, workrooms, and soft-furnishing professionals.
Designed with real shop workflows in mind, Renewabl allows professionals to:

Instantly visualize fabric changes, finishes, and design options

Replace long email chains and paper swatches with clear, client-ready presentations

Increase close rates by helping clients see the value of skilled craftsmanship

Position upholstery as a premium, professional service—not a guessing game

This webinar will walk through real-world use cases showing how visualization tools can:

Shorten sales cycles

Improve client decision-making

Reduce revisions and misunderstandings

Support sustainability by extending the life of well-built furniture

Attendees will also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Renewabl is helping modernize the upholstery industry—connecting artisans, designers, and clients through technology while preserving the integrity of the craft.

Whether you’re a solo upholsterer, a growing workroom, or an industry educator, this session will show how modern tools can support traditional skills—without compromising either.

Riana LeJeune is the Founder & CEO of Renewabl App and owner of Repinned Luxury Upholstery, a nationally recognized custom upholstery workroom based in Iowa. With more than 13 years in the trade, she has built her career preserving and advancing the art of professional upholstery—working on everything from 19th-century antiques to fully custom furniture built from the frame up.

Riana has been a proud member of the National Upholstery Association since its inception in 2019 and is a dedicated advocate for the growth and modernization of the upholstery industry. A respected educator and keynote speaker at the Custom Workroom Conference, she leads the nation’s first Registered Upholstery Apprenticeship program approved by the United States Department of Labor, helping formalize skilled-trade education and create sustainable career pathways for the next generation. Riana is also a fierce advocate for Neuro-Inclusive Hiring practices.

She is also the National Association of Women Business Owners 2025 Woman Business Owner of the Year, recognized for her leadership, innovation, and impact within both the trades and entrepreneurship.

Riana created Renewabl to solve real-world challenges she experienced behind the workroom doors—helping professionals visualize fabric and finish options, streamline client communication, and support sustainability by extending the life of well-crafted furniture. Her work sits at the intersection of craftsmanship, technology, and education, positioning the upholstery trade for a stronger, more visible future.

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Inside The Cavanagh House

When
May 12, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

with Stacy McAleer

Join us for an inside look at The Cavanagh House (TCH)—how it began, why it exists, and how it operates today. This webinar explores the development of our paid trades program, including program structure, day-to-day operations, and the systems that support student success. We’ll walk through our program format, recruitment process, and how we partner with community organizations to identify and enroll talent.

Attendees will also learn how TCH collaborates with other workrooms, textile suppliers, and industry partners to expand training opportunities and create real workforce pathways. We will also highlight the importance and impact of becoming a registered apprenticeship program, including credibility, funding access, workforce standards, and long-term sustainability.

This webinar is ideal for workforce developers, educators, industry partners, funders, and organizations interested in building sustainable, paid apprenticeship and trades training programs.

Stacy McAleer is the founder and executive director of The Cavanagh House, a vital resource to Baltimore and its surrounding areas, dedicated to helping individuals gain financial stability through the trade of upholstery and sewing. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and over 35 years as a self-taught sewer, Stacy brings both clinical insight and hands-on expertise to her
leadership.

Committed to helping revitalize the upholstery and sewing industries in Baltimore and throughout the U.S., The Cavanagh House serves as a feeder of skilled workers to the industry. Under Stacy’s guidance, the organization not only provides hands-on training but also fosters economic independence and long-term career pathways for its participants.

A proud resident of Reisterstown, Maryland, Stacy continues to drive innovative solutions that uplift individuals and strengthen communities across the region.

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Adding Window Treatments to Your Upholstery Business: Q & A with Susan Woodcock

When
June 09, 2026

3:00 AM

Are you curious about adding custom draperies, roman shades and soft furnishings to your upholstery business? You have a great start because many of the skills, machines, and tools used in upholstery can also be used to fabricate custom window treatments. But that doesn’t make it an easy transition. In this presentation, Susan Woodcock will answer your questions and offer practical advice for getting started with custom window treatments.

From workroom set up to window covering basics and pricing - Susan will help you to decide if this is a good fit for your workroom business. If you have specific questions, Susan would like to hear from you. Please email your questions by June 1, 2026 toSusan@HomeDecGal.com and she will answer during the presentation.

Susan Woodcock is an entrepreneur, educator, and spokesperson for the custom workroom industry. She owns Home Dec Gal, a custom to-the-trade workroom and in 2017 founded Workroom Tech located in Tryon, NC. Workroom Tech is the only trade school in the United States dedicated to custom home décor sewing professionals. Susan and her husband, Rodger Walker, own and produce the Custom Workroom Conference. Susan is the author of Singer® Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades, and Top Treatments, and she co-produces “The Sew Much More Podcast: 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech” each month with Ceil DiGuglielmo. Susan is passionate about helping others realize their dreams of business ownership through education and mentoring.

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Open Frame Cornice Method

When
July 14, 2026

1:00 PM

Cornice boards made with plywood in the traditional way are cumbersome and heavy, making construction and installation difficult. Cornice boards constructed using the open-frame method, however, are much easier to handle in the workroom and on-site. During Robin Matthews’ in-depth look at the open frame method of making lighter cornices, you’ll learn to construct and cover a cornice board without a heavy plywood cornice face. Cornices fabricated in this way are less expensive, easier to manipulate in the workroom, and a breeze to install.

Robin Matthews is the owner operator of Seams Sew Right, a Soft furnishings workroom in Kinnelon, NJ. She specializes in superbly constructed window treatments, bedding, slipcovers, cushions and pillows. Robin is known for her innovative fabrication and installation techniques. Her work has been featured in DIY Good Housekeeping, Design NJ, D&D Digest and Vision magazines. Robin has taught at The Custom Workroom Conference, Workroom Tech and for several WCAA Chapters. She is the past secretary of theWCAA NJ Chapter and past Vice President of the WCAA Virtual Chapter and is a member of the WCAA, WCAA SEPANJ Chapter and WCAA Virtual Chapter.

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How to Prepare to File Your Business Taxes in 2027

When
September 08, 2026

1:00 PM

With Amy Peterson

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Advanced Spring Tying Techniques

When
November 10, 2026

1:00 PM

With Gareth Rees

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Apprenticeship & Project Management: Building Skilled Teams Without Losing Control of the Workroom

When
December 08, 2026

1:00 PM

with Riana LeJeune
Finding skilled labor is hard. Keeping projects on track while training the next generation can feel impossible.

In this National Upholstery Association webinar, Riana LeJeune, Founder & CEO of Renewabl and owner of Repinned Luxury Upholstery, shares a practical, real-world framework for building apprenticeship programs without sacrificing quality, profitability, or your sanity.

Drawing from more than 13 years in the trade—and experience leading the nation’s first Registered Upholstery Apprenticeship in partnership with the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship—this session breaks down how to:

Structure apprenticeships that actually support production

Define skill levels, accountability, and expectations at each stage

Manage complex upholstery projects while training new talent

Reduce bottlenecks, rework, and burnout in the workroom

Protect craftsmanship while scaling your business

Attendees will learn how to apply clear project workflows, level-based training, and repeatable systems that allow experienced artisans to teach effectively—without slowing down the shop. Riana will also share how thoughtful project management supports better client communication, stronger timelines, and healthier teams.

Whether you are training your first apprentice or refining an existing program, this webinar offers actionable strategies you can implement immediately to strengthen your workforce and your business.

Riana LeJeune is the Founder & CEO of Renewabl App and owner of Repinned Luxury Upholstery, a nationally recognized custom upholstery workroom based in Iowa. With more than 13 years in the trade, she has built her career preserving and advancing the art of professional upholstery—working on everything from 19th-century antiques to fully custom furniture built from the frame up.

Riana has been a proud member of the National Upholstery Association since its inception in 2019 and is a dedicated advocate for the growth and modernization of the upholstery industry. A respected educator and keynote speaker at the Custom Workroom Conference, she leads the nation’s first Registered Upholstery Apprenticeship program approved by the United States Department of Labor, helping formalize skilled-trade education and create sustainable career pathways for the next generation. Riana is also a fierce advocate for Neuro-Inclusive Hiring practices.

She is also the National Association of Women Business Owners 2025 Woman Business Owner of the Year, recognized for her leadership, innovation, and impact within both the trades and entrepreneurship.

Riana created Renewabl to solve real-world challenges she experienced behind the workroom doors—helping professionals visualize fabric and finish options, streamline client communication, and support sustainability by extending the life of well-crafted furniture. Her work sits at the intersection of craftsmanship, technology, and education, positioning the upholstery trade for a stronger, more visible future.

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