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January 19, 2007

SPC Ready for International Builders’ Show

The Southern Pine Council is gearing up for the world’s largest construction show of its kind – NAHB’s International Builders’ Show (IBS). This year’s event, set for February 7-10, is once again being held in Orlando. More than 1,800 exhibitors in over 300 categories will be on hand, offering the most advanced products and services available in the industry. Last year’s show attracted more than 100,000 visitors. Over the course of four days, some 2500 attendees visited SPC’s display.

For this year’s show, SPC moves to an expanded exhibit area in partnership with APA - The Engineered Wood Association. Colorful signage will attract visitors to tour the Wood Products Information Center for the latest product information related to structural, treated, and specialty wood materials. Towering barrel-arch roof trusses will attract attendees from aisles away to booth #2783 in the west hall. The 22x25-foot space will, like last year, include a full-scale mockup of the raised floor foundation system. Southern Pine floor trusses, glulam beams, and dimension lumber are showcased in the display, along with samples of treated decking, and two grades of Southern Pine interior flooring. Wall-mounted panels let visitors inspect Southern Pine paneling and other specialty patterns.

This event offers the year’s best opportunity to personally impress members of the media. "No other show offers this type of face-to-face networking opportunity with so many editors, broadcast producers, and homebuilders at one time." notes Kim Drew, SPC’s public relations consultant. Once again, SPC will co-host a media breakfast during the show, attracting as many as 200 trade and consumer contacts. This year’s media kit offers SPC’s latest information on raised floor techniques, treated lumber, and other hot topics, plus a CD collection of Southern Pine photos.

SPC members can register online to attend IBS, with a free 4-day exhibits only admission pass. Visit www.BuildersShow.com/VIP. Complete the form by January 25, then pick up your badge at the Advance Registration Desk onsite.

South Dominates '06 Housing Market

Although housing activity was down in 2006 (when compared to 2005), the South is home to the majority share of housing-related economic activity. While nationwide starts are down 13%, the South only dropped 8%. Same with new home sales, the South only dropped 8%, while nationwide new home sales nationwide dropped 17%. Favorable weather, good job growth and household formation continue to be primary reasons why the South attracts population.

Housing Activity by Region (Jan 06 - Dec 06)*
Category	South	West	Midwest	Northeast
Housing Starts	51%	24%	16%	9%
New Home Sales	53%	26%	15%	6%
Existing Home Sales	39%	21%	23%	17%

* Some data is preliminary through November.

Meeting Agendas Available

Tentative agendas for SFPA’s pair of 2007 meetings are now available. SFPA’s 2007 Midyear Meeting is set for June 19-20 at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta. This gathering immediately precedes the opening of the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition at the adjacent Georgia World Congress Center. On Tuesday afternoon, June 19, the Southern Pine Council session will begin at 1pm, then conclude with a morning session the next day. The SFPA Board of Directors will meet Wednesday afternoon, June 20.

The opening session of SFPA’s Annual Meeting convenes Monday morning, October 1, at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Like last year, this event is complimented by a full array of committee meetings and social functions, beginning Saturday, September 29 and concluding with the board meeting on Tuesday, October 2. As the meeting dates draw near, registration and other details will be provided in this newsletter. Download either tentative agenda at www.sfpa.org.

Marketing Partners Meet

Executive committees of both SFPA and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) conducted their annual review of shared marketing activities this week. The two-day session in New Orleans included a study of Southern Pine Council objectives and discussions of how the two associations can continue to work closely together. "This annual review of our work together is an important step to make sure the needs of all members are addressed," commented SFPA President Digges Morgan.

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