WHA Promotes Innovation At Annual Convention
Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, OR, served as the host venue for the 2026 Western Hardwood Association’s (WHA) Annual Convention. Innovation In Every Board Foot was the theme of the event, which promoted production, performance and market opportunity and was attended by approximately 40 members and guests.
The annual gathering opened with the WHA Golf Classic, followed the next two days with a topic-packed speaker’s program. Among the topics were these:
• Economic forecast
• Profitability effects of equipment upgrades and mill innovation
• Creating value in the hardwood sawmill with the help of AI
• Structural applications and research of hardwoods CLT
• The Hardwood Federation taking action in Washington, DC
• Export market outlook
• Growing demand for American hardwood strategy, partnerships and what’s ahead
•Thermally modified wood market and opportunities
Also featured was a short course on grading changes and the National Hardwood Lumber Association’s efficiency protocols.
Optional activities for WHA attendees included Depoe Bay bottom fishing, crabbing and whale watching.
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 and trucking companies.
Learn more at westernhardwood.org.
