2008 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase



			Educational Seminars Sponsored by Hardwood Market Report The 2008 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase was held in San Francisco, October 9-11. Did you miss the bus? Not to worry, here are the highlights including downloads of the educational seminar presentations, along with presenter bios and photos. We hope you will join us in Boston September 30 – October 3, 2009. Click on the name of the presenter to download presentations, biographies and photos. Truth About Trees The Hardwood Forest Foundation presented its Truth About Trees program, which teaches children across North America that harvesting trees is not always harmful to the environment and explores the many items that have tree products in their makeup. Special guests for the event included approximately 50 San Francisco area elementary school children. The Economy and the Hardwood Industry With the Untied States and word economy facing many challenges, this seminar addressed how the hardwood industry is being affected. Topics included the state of the domestic economy, an overview of the global hardwood industry and a debate on the direction of ongoing changes. Speakers included: Lynn Michaelis, Weyerhaeuser Chief Economist and Vice President George Barrett, Weekly Hardwood Review Editor Michael Buckley, President of Turnstone Communications (Singapore) Certification of Hardwoods The seminar addressed the growing demand for certified wood products domestically and worldwide. Industry experts discussed the process forest certification in North America, procurement and market conditions in Europe and potential future developments and trends. Speakers included: Jason Grant, LEED A.P., Principal of Jason Grant Consulting Al Goetzl, President of Goetzl and Associates – Washington, DC Jason Metnick, Director of Market Access and Product Labeling Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. – United States Rupert Oliver, Timber and Economics Consultant of American Hardwood Export Council - London Grading Seminar This seminar provided a hands-on exhibition of the application of the grading rules. Attendees got a chance to see how the grades are applied to lumber and how proper application increases the value of lumber. Graded lumber provides a common voice for the industry worldwide. Rules Open Forum The NHLA grading rules continue to be the foundation of the association, and they help differentiate North American hardwoods in the marketplace. The process for the cyclical review of the rules will begin next year, and this seminar provided an open forum for the industry to discuss the rules. International Markets Breakout Sessions The hardwood industry is becoming increasingly global and these seminars discussed conditions in regions of importance throughout the world. Speakers included: Asia – John Chan, AHEC Director for Greater China and Southeast Asia Orn Gudmundsson, Jr., Northland Corporation Europe – John Read, Jr., American Hardwood Industries India/Middle East – Michael Buckley, President of Turnstone Communications (Singapore) Rod Wiles, American Hardwood Export Council
Click here for details about the 2007 Convention
2008 National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase Photo Gallery • Blog • San Francisco National Hardwood Lumber Association