EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

January 2, 2009

A New Year Dawns

Welcome to 2009! Many of us are probably glad to close the door on 2008, which may go into the history books as the year the nation experienced one of the deepest economic downturns on record. Economists project the recession will extend into the new year with possible improvement on the horizon for late 2009 (see story).

Meanwhile, business may be slow, but will eventually revive, and continuing our joint work as an association can help ensure we’re ready. SFPA’s staff members pledge to continue their efforts throughout the year to promote Southern Pine as the building material of choice for homes, decks, marine projects and any other application where our members’ products can find a natural fit. Further down in this newsletter, you’ll find a list of trade shows and other events where SFPA will represent Southern Pine. We also hope SFPA and Southern Pine Council members will add the following important dates to their calendars for the upcoming year.

• The International Builders’ Show happens Jan. 20-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.

• SFPA’s Midyear Meeting will be held June 9-10 at the Westin New Orleans Canal Place in New Orleans.

• EXPO 2009 is set for June 11-13 at the Morial Convention Center, also in New Orleans.

• SFPA’s Annual Meeting is tentatively scheduled Oct. 10-13 at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Fla.

We look forward to seeing you at our events and hope everyone enjoys a better year in 2009.

New Feature Provides Easy Access to SP Images

SFPA’s extensive collection of Southern Pine photos is now easily accessible to trade and consumer publication editors and writers thanks to a new feature on www.southernpine.com. A collection of more than 50 photos is offered on a password-protected page along with directions for downloading the images in various sizes. Photo categories include deck and outdoor living, general construction, raised floor construction, and specialty products and interiors. Southern Pine Council member companies are also welcome to download photos from the site for use in company newsletters, brochures and other communication and sales publications. For details about accessing the photo collection, contact Richard Wallace at 504/443-4464, ext. 236, or rwallace@sfpa.org.  

Call for Nominations for Wood Design Awards

WoodWorks Southeast is accepting nominations for six wood design awards to be presented at the Wood Solutions Fair in Raleigh, N.C. on Feb. 24. There is no cost to submit a nomination, but entries must feature designers, firms and/or projects based in North Carolina, South Carolina or Georgia and must be received by February 3. Award categories include institutional wood design, commercial wood design, green building, interior beauty of wood, wood architecture and wood engineering. Click here for details, including award criteria and nomination forms as well as a list of past winners. For additional information, contact Pat Schleisman, regional director of WoodWorks Southeast, at pat@woodworks.org. WoodWorks promotes the use of wood in nonresidential construction.

Sponsors Needed for 2009 Teacher Forestry Tour

The Temperate Forest Foundation needs sponsors for its annual South Central Teacher Forestry Tour to be held June 2-5 in Starkville, Miss. Those interested can sponsor a teacher or contribute as a general tour sponsor. The cost to sponsor a teacher is $700, which includes hotel accommodations, meals and transportation while on the tour. The cost of transportation to and from the tour location is handled between the teacher and the sponsor.

The nonprofit foundation created the tours in 1989 to provide teachers credible information about forestry and the forest products industry. For more information or to sign up as a sponsor, contact Lisa Leonard, forestry education manager, at 503-445-9472 or by e-mail at lleonard@forestinfo.org. Details are also available at www.forestinfo.org.

SFPA on the Road

SFPA staff members frequently take to the roads and airways to tell Southern Pine’s story to builders, designers, building inspectors and other key segments of the building industry. Here’s a look at some upcoming events.

• Richard Kleiner, director of treated markets, will promote using treated Southern Pine for fences and decks at FenceTech 2009 Jan. 14-16 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. He will also talk to attendees about raised floors at the Mid South Building Material Dealers Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show Feb. 5-7 in Baton Rouge, La. Richard will then represent Southern Pine at the Wood Solutions Fair Feb. 24 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, N.C.

• Digges Morgan, president,  Richard Wallace, vice president of communications, Russell Richardson, director of industrial markets, Ned DeJarnette, director of international markets, and Kim Drew, the Southern Pine Council’s public relations consultant, will showcase Southern Pine at the International Builders’ Show Jan. 20-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. The SPC exhibit will focus on raised floors and the environmental-friendliness of Southern Pine. Russell will also promote Southern Pine at the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association’s Annual Leadership Conference and Exposition Feb. 21-24 at the Marriott in Marco Island, Fla.

• Cathy Kaake, director of engineered and framing markets, and Eric Gee, director of EXPO and forest resources, will talk about raised floors and Southern Pine’s green attributes at the Habitat for Humanity National Affiliate Conference Jan. 20-23 at the Hilton in Atlanta. Cathy and Kim Drew will also promote raised floors at the Georgia Association of Floodplain Management’s Annual Technical Conference Feb. 11-13 at the Marriott in Columbus, Ga. In addition, Cathy will focus on using Southern Pine in post-frame construction at the National Frame Building Association’s Frame Building Expo Feb. 25-27 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  

mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.