The Year Ahead
Welcome to 2024! As I mentioned last month. SFPA finished 2023 strong by traversing the challenges and celebrating the triumphs that defined a remarkable year for our association and the industry, the least of which include one of the best Forest Products EXPOs ever, expanded Southern Pine lumber promotion opportunities, and a record-breaking number of new members.
And we’re already planning to make this year even better! A few initiatives to help us get there include:
- A new website, which should be live any day now! You’ll be the first to know with a special issue of Lumber Shorts.
- Member recruitment to grow the number of association members and engagement.
- Streamlining communications to provide timely access to important SFPA resources and materials even easier.
I encourage each of you to share your aspirations for the upcoming year and actively contribute to SFPA’s success of our association. Your voice is invaluable, and together, we can create a future that reflects the collective vision and ambition of our dynamic community. I can’t wait to see what we do together this year!
Welcome New Member
Our record-breaking streak for new members continues with the addition of Greenbridge, who we know will elevate the already-strong community of Southern Pine lumber manufacturers and providers.
Are you ready to join SFPA, or do you know someone either a lumber manufacturer or company that supports the Southern Pine lumber community who would benefit from SFPA membership as much as you? Get started today by clicking here.
Spring Meeting
We’re excited to announce plans are underway for the joint SFPA-SLMA Spring Meeting, to be held March 20-22, 2024, at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans! Who should attend? All SFPA members, but especially owners, operators and decisionmakers involved with lumber manufacturing, remanufacturing, and treating; lumber and wood products; buying; and supply.
Also, there will be a lot of networking and fun (it is New Orleans, after all)! So, if you make it into town, you’ll have to stop by the SFPA Happy Hour before SLMA’s French Quarter Fundraiser on the first night for a cocktail or two and a chance to catch up with old friends and other special events!
Click here to register for the Spring Meeting.
Forest Products EXPO 2025
Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO may be every other year, but we’re already hard at work planning your 2025 experience! And I’m excited to share that we have signed a contract to return to the Music City Center in Nashville from August 6-8, 2025, for our 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO!
Haven’t exhibited or attended in the past or missed last year? Click here to see why you need to make plans to be there next year!
EXPO 2023 was all about connecting, exploring, and discovering, and feedback shows exhibitors and attendees alike were able to successfully check off all three items on that agenda. Record attendance by both attendees and exhibiting companies helped EXPO 2023 in Nashville become a successful industry event. Get ready for more strategic communications (not necessarily more) to help you plan your booth and experience better, expanded sponsorship opportunities, and more!
Exhibit space sales are scheduled to open in May, and we’ll make sure you’re the first to know, but click here to learn more about EXPO!
Southern Pine Global Promotion
SFPA has finalized its list of international events for 2024, and we’re excited to offer 16 events next year to promote the use of Southern Pine and American softwoods around the world.
However, SFPA’s trade event calendar for 2024 is not official until activities have been approved by USDA FAS and corresponding budgets are updated to reflect the FAS approval.
We remain confident SFPA will receive funding from FAS and apologize for the inconvenience and uncertainty the delay may have caused.
- IndiaWood | Bangalore, India | February 22-26, 2024
- Dubai WoodShow | Dubai, UAE | March 5-7, 2024
- Philippine International Furniture Show | Manila, Philippines | March 7-9, 2024
- Interzum Guangzhou | Guangzhou, China | March 28-31, 2024
- Carrefour International du Bois | Nantes, France | May 28-30, 2024
- BATEV | Buenos Aires, Argentina | June 26-29, 2024
- Sylva Wood | Shanghai, China | June 24-26, 2024
- Techno Mueble | Guadalajara, Mexico | August 14-17, 2024
- Expo Camacol | Medellin, Colombia| August 21-24, 2024
- Saudi Wood Expo | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | September 2-4, 2024
- Expo Ferretera | Guadalajara, Mexico | September 5-7, 2024
- Thailand International Woodworking & Furniture Show | Bangkok, Thailand | September 18-20, 2024
- Cairo Wood Show | Cairo, Egypt |December (TBD)
- Taipei Building and Construction Show | Taipei, Taiwan | TBD
- IMEXFOR Annual Meeting | Mexico | TBD
We’re also excited to share two other international initiatives for 2024:
- SFPA is applying for funding from the USDA’s new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, which will help us expand Southern Pine lumber’s presence and nurture the market for American softwoods in Africa and other regions.
- SFPA will also host a reverse trade mission for international attendees to learn more about Southern Pine lumber production in the U.S. and bring value directly to SFPA member to strengthen business relationships.
Stay tuned to our website, social media pages, and Lumber Shorts for updates on our international efforts!