Early Forest Products EXPO 2025 Report: It’s Going to Be Another Great Show
Exhibit space reservations have already reached more than 30% of our total number of exhibitors from last year, and I fully expect us to soar past our 2023 total of 217 exhibitors, which was a record number last reached in 2007 when Forest Products EXPO included logging equipment.
And it’s not too late to reserve your space for the 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition, which returns to the Music City Center in Nashville from August 6-8, 2025.
Booth reservations will open to non-members and first-time exhibitors Monday, June 24, so make sure you get your reservation in before then! That’s also the day we’ll begin assigning booth space, which shall be assigned based on:
- Membership in SFPA.
- Exhibitor priority points.
- Date of receipt of the application/contract and deposit at SFPA.
- Space size and availability.
Remember, SFPA associate members and EXPO 2023 returning exhibiting companies receive discounted exhibit space rates for applications received before July 19, 2024. Not an SFPA member yet? Click here to explore the EXPO benefits you’ll receive (and click here for full SFPA Membership benefits)!
Welcome New Member
I’m delighted to introduce another new member to our community – W.H. Thomas Oil Co.!
As our motto goes, “We’re Stronger Together,” and we eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions W.H. Thomas Oil will bring to both our association and the broader Southern Pine lumber community.
Keep an eye out for future new member announcements from SFPA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in the next two weeks (in addition to Lumber Shorts on June 25), as we will have a few more new members to introduce, which will push us closer to reaching a record 150 Associate Members. There’s never been a better time to be part of SFPA!
The SFPA Team Has Grown
Just as I’m excited to welcome new members, I’m even more thrilled to introduce the newest member of the SFPA team – Katie Kopf!
Katie joins us as administrative assistant and program coordinator, where she will work side by side to learn from and take over from Linda Patch, a longtime and devoted member of the SFPA team, who is retiring October 31 after more than 20 years with the association.
Katie will serve as the front line for incoming communications, whether that’s from members, potential new members, vendors, or global buyers of Southern Pine lumber – really anyone looking for Southern Pine resources. She’ll also coordinate with members to compile and distribute monthly Southern Pine lumber production data; assist in coordinating domestic and international meetings and events, including registrations, supply shipping, and hotel accommodations for SFPA member travelers; and play a key role in working with SFPA management on accounting functions.
Having earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Alabama, Katie previously served as the executive administrative assistant for the president of enterprise business services with a healthcare company in Nashville.
Click here to meet Katie, then help me in welcoming her to our team and the SFPA community. I know you’ll enjoy working with her as much as we have!
Association Management System Update
In my letter last month, I mentioned the SFPA team is preparing to launch our new association management system (AMS). I’m proud to report we’ve completed demos and are close to making a selection.
As SFPA membership continues to grow and our resources and promotion efforts expand, maintaining clear, efficient, and organized communication is paramount to our – and your – success!
Know we’re thinking of what will work best for you, and based on what we’ve seen in the leading contenders, you won’t be disappointed. We plan to launch this new feature before the end of the year. Stay tuned!
Promotional Activities
SFPA is always somewhere representing the industry and promoting the benefits and best use of Southern Pine. We’ve had and will have a busy few weeks with the following events:
- Carrefour International du Bois in Nantes, France, from May 28-30.
- AIA Conference on Architecture in Washington, D.C. with the Softwood Lumber Board, from June 6-7.
- Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association’s (MLMA) convention and trade show in Biloxi, Mississippi, from June 20-23.
- BATEV in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from June 26-29.
Members, don’t forget to check out the trip reports and trade leads from each of these international shows!