Cleveland Welcomes NHLA Convention Attendees
Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, OH, served as the host site for the recent 129th National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) Convention & Exhibit Showcase. This annual event brings together industry leaders, hardwood professionals and NHLA members from across the country for three days of expert-led sessions and networking events as the premier hardwood trade show of the year. The 2026 edition was attended by approximately 760 industry associates.
The Exhibit Showcase featured more than 100 exhibitors.
This year’s convention included multiple topics and speakers, such as the following.
- Lew McCreery, U.S. Forest Service, Operating Savings Using Wood Energy
- Michael Snow, American Hardwood Export Council, Global Markets & the Future of American Hardwoods
- Dan Meyer, Hardwood Review, The Hardwood Industry Now: Data, Direction & What Comes Next.
- Connor Lokar of ITR Economics was the Opening Session keynote speaker.
Other special events included a 2026 ITSEF Golf Classic, NHLA Inspector Training School Alumni reception, 3-Day Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading and Built to Lead: Women Shaping the Industry breakfast.
Founded in 1898 by 37 dedicated lumbermen in Chicago, NHLA was created to establish uniform standards for grading and trading hardwood lumber, according the NHLA.
Today, the organization remains the authority representing the entire hardwood supply chain—from production through distribution—serving both members and the broader hardwood consumer base with integrity and expertise.
Next year’s NHLA Convention is set for Sept. 21-23 at Harrah’s Cherokee in Cherokee, NC.
