Next month, HMA members will be hitting the road for our Fall Regional Meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday–Thursday, October 15–17. It’s been a while since HMA toured the Hawkeye State, so we’re looking forward to getting down to business, going on excellent tours to see new technology and solutions in action, enjoying the fall foliage, and engaging in the camaraderie that comes along with one of HMA’s signature events. Here’s a brief overview of what’s on our agenda.
Our base of operations will be the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Complex. There, our multi-day event will kick off on Tuesday, October 15, with HMA’s Board of Directors, Officers, Past Presidents, and Next Gen Leaders Council members convening for our Fall Board of Directors Meeting.
Wednesday morning, we’ll be off to Edgewood, Iowa, for our first stop at Kendrick, Inc. There, we’ll tour their Kendrick Forest Products sawmill, Forever Cabinets by Kendrick plant, and Kendrick Home and Shimlee operations. Then we’ll be on our way to Hopkinton, Iowa, where we’ll tour Bruggeman Lumber’s sawmill and dry kiln operations, before heading down the road to cross industry lines for an inside look at Cornerstone Building Brands’ facility, where they manufacture metal roofs, walls systems, and structural components. That evening, we’ll gather for a networking reception and dinner to catch up with colleagues and hear industry updates.
On Thursday, we’ll head southeast to Muscatine, Iowa, to tour Kendrick’s new mill, KFP Muscatine, before we part ways and head home.
It’s sure to be a valuable and informative experience for all, so consider bringing your plant managers and younger workforce to get a behind the scenes look at other operations. Full details—including information on registering, booking accommodations, available sponsorships, and our complete schedule—can be found online at HMAmembers.org. I encourage you to act soon. The hotel reservation deadline is Wednesday, September 25. And registrations on or after October 1 will be subject to a $25 late fee.
As a reminder, HMA Regional Meetings are “members-only” events. So, if you’ve been considering joining our association, send me an email at ian@hardwood.org and let’s chat about how membership can benefit your company.
Now before you turn the page, mark your calendar for HMA’s 2025 National Conference and Expo, which will take place June 10–12 in Knoxville, Tennessee. And stay tuned for updates.
