Ilani Casino Hotel in Ridgefield, WA, was the site of the recent Western Hardwood Association Annual Convention. This year’s theme was All In On Hardwood: Crafting A Winning Strategy In Timber Markets and was attended by approximately 60 members and guests.
Scheduled over a three-day stretch, this event attracts lumber industry representatives nationwide and particularly from the Western U.S. In fact, the WHA was founded in 1955 to assist Western U.S. hardwoods to a position of prominence in the manufacturing of fine furniture, cabinets and pallets. Membership consists of sawmills, manufacturers, re-manufacturers, pallet producers, wholesalers, landowners, timber owners and service organizations, such as freight companies and truckers.
The WHA strives to assist its members through educational programs, networking, political support, newsletters and other specific programs.
The recent convention at Ilani featured multiple guest speakers. These included: Michael Snow, of the American Hardwood Export Council; Dana Lee Cole, of the Hardwood Federation; Dana Spessert, of National Hardwood Lumber Association and the Real American Hardwood Coalition; Ryan Temple, of Sustainable Northwest, Hardwoods at PDX; Ben Deumling, Zena Forest Products, Oregon HCP; and Joey Nelson, JoeScan and Norvin Laudon, MiCROTEC plus ChatGPT.
In addition to the guest speakers, the convention provided multiple networking opportunities with receptions, lunches, dinners and many participated in a friendly golf game at Tri-Mountain Golf Course.
Learn more about this organization by visiting www.westernhardwood.org.
