Cleveland, Ohio–The 2022 Fall Meeting of the Canadian Hardwood Bureau (CHB) was held here at the recent National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) Annual Convention and Exhibit Showcase with 40 delegates attending. The Huntington Convention Center was the site of the meeting.
The guest speaker was Michael Snow, executive director of the American Hardwood Export Council, whose presentation was entitled “Hardwood Exports in a Changed World.”
The group was also pleased to have the new NHLA executive director, Dallin Brooks, attend the meeting and Allison DeFord, executive director of the North American Forest Foundation, also made a brief presentation. CHB reiterated its support for the work of the North American Forest Foundation.
Chairman Shaun Rowe, of Quality Hardwoods, noted that CHB had a very busy year. Thanks to Haliburton Forest Products and Quality Hardwoods, along with NHLA and CHB, a 7-Week Lumber Inspector Training program was held in the spring. A total of 15 students registered, 14 for the 7-week program and one for the 2-week course. Interest in holding a similar course in 2023 exists, so members were invited to send employees to this unique opportunity in Canada.
Rowe also outlined the CHB’s Promotion Program, the goal of which is to tell the story of Canadian hardwoods as beautiful, durable, and sustainable interior building materials to as many potential customers as possible. The program targets U.S.-based designers and architects, who will promote the industry’s story to homeowners and commercial end users. Last year, CHB presented 12 on-line webinars, reaching almost 1,400 designers and architects. This year’s program will exceed those participation numbers. Rowe urged members to support the promotions efforts.
The next meeting of the CHB will be held in April 2023 in Montreal.
