Networking Is Back At The LMC EXPO

The 2021 LMC EXPO Returns To Philadelphia 

Photos By Terry Miller

Wayne, PA– For the first time in almost two years, LMC (Lumbermens Merchandising Corp.), which is headquartered here, recently hosted its network of dealers, suppliers, and the LMC team in person at the 2021 LMC EXPO. 

LMC dealers reconnected in Philadelphia with exhibitors and the LMC team bringing a sense of normalcy that had been missing over the last two years. Dealers discussed current industry challenges and gathered market intelligence from insiders to help plan their purchasing strategy for the upcoming year. 

“I come to the LMC EXPO because it’s a great opportunity to network with my fellow yards, and also meet the people with LMC that you don’t often get the chance to see face to face and get a little bit of that personal time,” said Jason Pickelsimer, Operations Manager for Building Solutions in Bend, OR. “The most beneficial thing for me is actually the networking. People buy from people but at the end of the day LMC is a big family.” 

Sessions during the EXPO included the LMC Update from newly appointed President and CEO Paul Ryan, who assumed the role this past July. Ryan gave his first organization-wide recap of LMC’s past year and what to expect for 2022. 

LMC EXPO keynote speaker Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., President and Chief Economist of graphsandlaughs.net and former Senior Economist at the National Association of Home Builders, presented an overview of the housing and economic outlook for 2022. 

Attendees also heard about challenges from a supplier’s perspective at the Supplier Forum as key principals from leading suppliers touched upon their own challenges of 2021 and what to anticipate for 2022 from a supplier perspective. 

“There was a unique sense of excitement about this event before it even started. The hotel lobbies were buzzing, and you could tell it was going to be a successful show,” said Sean Tighe, LMC Senior Vice President of Purchasing. “The energy once the event began really reflected that and was just further proof that relationships are always best built in-person.” 

The industry has changed since the last in-person event at the LMC Annual in Nashville held in March of 2020. EXPO attendees strongly believed that learning how to overcome industry challenges is always best when you can talk to other professionals from different parts of the industry at once. 

“There’s a lot in our industry that’s changed in the last year and a half,” said Jeff Wolfe, owner of Massa Home Center, located in MT. “Being able to get some insight on what’s here to stay and what’s never going to be the same is vital so we can move forward and be successful.” 

The EXPO serves as a key component for LMC dealers to gather market intelligence to build their purchasing strategy for the upcoming year. Emphasis is placed on negotiating and securing contracts and commitments with key LMC Forest Products suppliers for 2022. 

LMC is a leading Forest Products and Building Materials Buying Group in the USA owned by independent lumber and building material dealers. There are over 1,400 LMC dealer locations in the United States and the Bahamas. “Building Business Together” is LMC’s philosophy, rooted in a history of working together and standing the test of time since 1935. LMC dealers are united in their purchasing, creating a strong foundation that supports the growth of unique supplier relationships and purchasing opportunities. 

To learn more about LMC, visit www.lmc.net.