281 Registrants from 24 Countries Attend 68th Annual Meeting In San Diego
The International Wood Products Association (IWPA), based in Alexandria, VA, declared the 68th World of Wood Convention a success. The annual event was held recently at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, CA and brought together 281 professionals from over 24 countries, showcasing a rich exchange of industry knowledge, market intelligence, and regulatory expertise.
“This year’s World of Wood was another big success, offering vital networking opportunities and expert insights into the evolving landscape of the globally sourced wood products industry,” said IWPA Executive Director Ashley Amidon. “Participants gained invaluable perspectives on regulatory compliance, corporate leadership, and the latest design trends and technological tools.”
The convention featured a diverse lineup of speakers and panel discussions, providing attendees with forward-thinking strategies and practices:
“Powered Productivity” and “Tech Tools for Serious Self Care” by Beth Ziesenis, Founder of YourNerdyBestFriend.com
“New Trends in Design” by Tatiana Machado-Rosas, Senior Interior Designer, Qualcraft Construction, Inc.
“U.S. Customs & Border Protection – An Introduction to Wood Products Classification” by Laurel Duvall, National Import Specialist with Customs and Border Protection
Update sessions on Homeland Security Wood Investigations, Overseas Perspectives on EUDR, Lacey Act and Formaldehyde Regulations
Six IWPA board members were reappointed for another term including Jim Canter, NWH; Jordan McIlvain, Alan McIlvain Company; Colin Miller, Clarke Veneers and Plywood; Paul Platts, PRS Guitars; Alan Futscher, CDC Distributors; and Hugh Reitz, UCS Forest Group. Darren Thomas of Double Helix Tracking Technologies Pte Ltd. was selected to join the Board as an Associate Director.
IWPA concluded its annual gathering with a passing of the gavel where outgoing IWPA President Jordan McIlvain of Alan McIlvain Company closed his term and handed off leadership of the association to incoming President Colin Miller, Clarke Veneers and Plywood. In other IWPA board moves, Bryan Courtney, Genesis Products moved from Treasurer to Vice President and Colin Hotalen, Rex Lumber Company has moved into the Treasurer role.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of this year’s event and the positive feedback from participants and thank all our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and the San Diego’s Gaslamp District for making the 2024 World of Wood a success. We look forward to gearing up for next year’s World of Wood gathering March 26–28, 2025 in New Orleans, LA, with details to be announced later this year,” added Amidon.
Established in 1956, the International Wood Products Association is the leading international trade association for the North American imported wood products industry, representing 170 companies and trade associations engaged in the import of hardwoods and softwoods from sustainably managed forests. Association members consist of three key groups involved in the import process: U.S. importers and consuming industries, offshore manufacturers and the service providers that facilitate trade.
Adam Shockley, Canusa Wood Products Ltd., Vancouver, BC; Deonn DeFord and Dana Bassett, Ganahl Lumber Company, Anaheim, CA; and Jeevan Manhas and Ross McLaren, Canusa Wood Products Ltd.Giovanna Nágem, Timber REX ApS, Holbaek, Denmark; Stewart and Trish Sexton, AHC Import Lumber, Cleveland, GA; and Jacob Boje Larsen, Timber REX ApSJeevan Manhas, Canusa Wood Products Ltd., Vancouver, BC; Rob Wilson, Robert Weed Corporation, Bristol, IN; Chris Battin, Benchmark International LLC, Eugene, OR; and Jim Bennett, Canusa Wood Products Ltd.Jasper Bach, Baillie Lumber Company, Hamburg, NY; Robbie Weich, Tradelink Wood Products Ltd., London, England; and Aurelien Lemoigne and Henrik Stenshoj, A/S Global Timber, Aarhus, Denmark Tim Karsten, F.W. Barth & Co. GmbH, Hamburg, Germany; Chris Skibba, California Timberline Inc., Chino, CA; Edoardo Givone, Aries Timber Exports Limited, Edgeware, UK; and Delyan Zhelyazkov, TimberBase/UFP International LLC, Miami, FLVadim Retter, Julie Lumber LLC, West New York, NJ; Thomas Cummings, GWP Wood, Rocky Point, NC; and Jim Canter, NWH, Erie, PAIan Barry, Griffin Global Resources, Santa Barbara, CA; Michelle Buckland, and Seppo Virtanen, Miro Forestry and Timber Products, London, UK; Stephanie Rodrigue, IWPA, Alexandria, VA; and Charles Barry, Griffin Global Resources, Santa Barbara, CAJoe O’Donnell, IWPA, Alexandria, VA; Colin Miller, Clarke Veneers and Plywood, Jackson, MS; Jason and Jennifer Loveland, Rukert Terminals Corporation, Baltimore, MD; and Brendan Dugan, South Jersey Port Corporation, Camden, NJGuy Goodwin, NHG Timber Ltd., Surrey South Croydon, England; Jim Schrubbe, Diversified Wood Crafts, Suring, WI; and Michael Snow, AHEC, Sterling, VALindsey DiGangi, PLMI, Philadelphia, PA; Liz Wellborn, Skyline Cabinetry Inc., Farmers Branch, TX; Michelle Meincke, Metropolitan Floors, Vancouver, BC; and Michael McCullough, Masterbrand Cabinets Inc., Jasper, INKyle Blakaitis, Central American Timber Inc., Seaside Park, NJ; Ben Horn, Global Lumber LLC, Olympia, WA; Chris Strang, Alan McIlvain Co., Marcus Hook, PA; Andy Johnson, Hardwood Market Report, Cordova, TN; and Lan McIlvain, Alan McIlvain Co.Angelina Rouget, Malaysian Timber Council, Houston, TX; Lee Robinson, Overseas Hardwoods Company, Mobile, AL; and Lai Mei Theng, Malaysian Timber CouncilBudi Hermawan, International Wood Products Inc., Holly Springs, NC; Lee Robinson, Overseas Hardwoods Company, Mobile, AL; and Makmur Buniadi, APKINDO-Indonesian Wood Panel Association, Jakarta, IndonesiaDavid Reed, Rowdy Male and Adam Chavez, Timber Products Company, Springfield, ORJeremy Howard, Nyle Dry Kilns, Brewer, ME; Sparsh Kejriwal, Winksy International FZC, Ajman, UAE; and Thom Tardiff, Nyle Dry Kilns(Front row, from left) Hunter MacMaster and Mason MacMaster; (back row, from left) Ryan MacMaster, Robert MacMaster, Kenny MacMaster and Brittany MacMaster, Argo Fine Imports, New Orleans, LACindy Newman, Newman Lumber Company, Gulfport, MS; and Paul Miller Jr., Import/Export Wood Purchasing News, Memphis, TNAndy Popp and Steve Popp, Popp Forest Products Inc., Lake Oswego, OR; Dan Lennon, Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA; and Gillian McIlvain, Jackson McIlvain and Jordan McIlvain, Alan McIlvain Co., Marcus Hook, PA
Lake States Business Trends Wintertime Woes Coupled With Springtime Expectations Hardwood markets across the Lake States remain steady but restrained, with suppliers describing seasonal softness,
Northeast Business Trends A New Year With Old Challenges Northeastern hardwood lumber representatives reported that tariffs, high inventory, low demand and labor struggles are causing
Southeast Business Trends Will Hopes Or Fears For 2026 Be Fulfilled? Lumber sources share concerns about the younger generation’s lack of interest in the lumber
Full Steam Ahead Into The New Year After an unpredictable 2025 wrought with trade wars, shifting tariffs, inflation, bankruptcy, losing employees and shaky supply chains,
West Coast Business Trends West Coast Commitment Issues Hardwood market activity in the West Coast remains cautious, with suppliers in Washington and California reporting tepid
What Will 2026 Bring For Trade? Ashley A. Amidon, CAEExecutive DirectorInternational WoodProducts Association 2025 was quite the tumultuous year for any business involved in international
