NELMA Celebrates 75
(More news)New York City was the setting for NELMA’s celebration of the Association’s 75th Anniversary, held April 10-12. The Grand Hyatt Hotel played the fitting host to this year’s special Convention, the very location where many of NELMA’s early meetings were conducted when the Association was headquartered on Madison Avenue from 1933 to 1969. Some 200 members and guests joined the Association staff in New York for the 3-day Convention. The program incorporated important NELMA business forums with special tours and events to commemorate the historic milestone.
The Opening Session & General Business Meeting served as the kick-off for the Convention, where Chairman Tom 
Jenkins welcomed everyone to the Convention followed by a “State of the Association” update by NELMA President, Jeff Easterling. The General Business Session portion of the opening event included the approval of the nomination of Darren Zwicker of Irving Forest Products to the NELMA Board of Directors and Jethro Poulin of Stratton Lumber Co. to a second 2-year term. The Marketing Committee meeting followed, with members focusing on activities and accomplishments of the 2007 marketing program, along with an analysis and planning discussion for the next generation of advertising and promotional events.
Jenkins welcomed everyone to the Convention followed by a “State of the Association” update by NELMA President, Jeff Easterling. The General Business Session portion of the opening event included the approval of the nomination of Darren Zwicker of Irving Forest Products to the NELMA Board of Directors and Jethro Poulin of Stratton Lumber Co. to a second 2-year term. The Marketing Committee meeting followed, with members focusing on activities and accomplishments of the 2007 marketing program, along with an analysis and planning discussion for the next generation of advertising and promotional events. Regarding export marketing opportunities, guest speaker Eddie Pearce of the American Softwoods office in the UK provided an informative overview of market conditions in Europe, and also the potential for exporting Northeastern U.S. softwood products now and in the future to Europe, U.A.E., and India.
The re-discovered 1948 NELMA film titled “Story of Wood in the Northeast” was unveiled for viewing following the Marketing Committee meeting. This fascinating 25-minute documentary takes the audience through the full cycle of harvesting the log to manufacturing and drying the lumber. Who knew the manufacturing of women’s shoe heels was such a market for softwood lumber? (A DVD of the film is now available for purchase from NELMA – see related article in the newsletter or on the website.). Day One of the Convention ended with a special contact session with 14 exhibitors of equipment and services, coupled with the evening’s Welcome Reception.
The NELMA Grading Committee meeting highlighted the business portion of Day Two of the Convention. An update on the Association’s Grading Services program was presented by Marc Moore, Director of Inspection Services. Chairman Charlie Lumbert also took the opportunity to recognize the team winners of the Eastern White Pine and Dimension Lumber Graders Competition, in addition to the recipents of the 2007 Safety Awards. (See additional article recognizing the Safety Award recipients within the newsletter). The Committee also approved the work completed by the NELMA Pine Subcommittee and proposal regarding the revision of “Unsound Wood” definition for the grades of Premium, Standard, Industrial, and Appearance grades within the NELMA Standard Grades for Northeastern Lumber. The Grading Committee meeting concluded with a guest presentation, “Industry Economic Forecast Update for 2008-2010”, by Paul Jannke, Senior VP of Wood and Timber Information at RISI.
The second day of the Convention ended with a memorable night on Broadway, with attendees choosing to enjoy either of two top-hit shows, “Wicked” or “Jersey Boys”.
Day Three of the Convention led off with the meeting of NELMA’s Board of Directors. Reports from the Committee meetings, the Institute activities, and the Treasurer were presented at the meeting. A guest presentation by Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports was given regarding the status of the current Softwood Lumber Agreement. An update was also provided by Phil Ruck of CES on recent action by several New England states concerning stormwater permitting, in addition to the State of Maine and their plans to include log deck watering as part of future stormwater regulations. The Board approved the use of CES, Inc. to act on behalf of NELMA members in working with individual states, on a consultant basis.
The 75th Anniversary Convention ended with a reception and grand finale dinner & dance in the Manhattan Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. A commemorative video celebrating the people and faces of NELMA was incorporated within the evening’s program.
It’s not too early to reserve the dates of September 18-19 for this fall’s NELMA Board of Directors meeting and Golf Scramble at Sunday River in Bethel, Maine. And next Spring’s Convention will be back in Boston at the Marriott Longwharf Hotel, April 2-4, 2009!
