EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

April 24, 2009

Members Urged to Come Ready to Discuss Issues, Ideas

When the economy starts moving again, what strategies can put the industry in the best position to gain market share? What issues can hinder our success? Those are the questions directors and chairpersons heading the Southern Pine Council’s marketing committees hope SFPA members and SPC participants come ready to discuss at SFPA’s Midyear Meeting June 9-10 in New Orleans. The discussions will take place during “Breakfast Roundtables” on the morning of June 10. Committee chairpersons will report the top issues or ideas from the roundtables to the full group. Roundtables will be held on special products (includes green building), international markets, treated systems and building systems (includes the Raised Floor Living program). Click here to see the full agenda. Also note that attending the meeting became more affordable this week. Our host hotel – the Westin New Orleans Canal Place – reduced our room rate from $179 per night to $149. Rooms should be booked by May 11 to receive that rate. Call the Westin at 888/627-8180 to reserve your room and click here for the meeting registration form.  

New Campaign Looking for ‘Woodaholics’

“Are you a Woodaholic?”  is the theme of a new Real Outdoor Living campaign launched this week by the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer Association’s Southern Pine Awareness Network. The advertising and public relations campaign promotes outdoor applications for wood and targets consumers and homeowners. It is primarily funded by a grant secured by the Southern Pine Council – a joint initiative of SFPA and SLMA.

The centerpiece of the campaign is a “Real Outdoor Living” Web site that debuted Tuesday at www.realoutdoorliving.com. The site features a tongue-in-cheek diagnostic test visitors can use to find out if they are true “woodaholics,” an entry form for a $10,000 “Backyard Oasis” sweepstakes, links to download free project plans and “fact or fiction” quizzes to test knowledge of treated wood. The campaign also incorporates increasingly popular social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

“The site came together extraordinarily well and we’re very proud of it,” said Kim Drew, public relations consultant for SPAN and SPC. “The ‘woodaholics’ element enables us to incorporate social media into the campaign, which is the fastest growing form of media. Reaching out through Facebook (look for the Wood fan page) and Twitter (twitter.com/woodaholics) will allow ROL to reach so much farther, and it allows the campaign to develop a fan base of educated homeowners.”

Activities planned in the coming weeks and months include banner ads on homeowner-targeted Web sites, involvement in two Southern Living “Idea Houses,” a retail outreach program and a community service program called “Woodaholics Give Back.” Brad Staggs of the DIY Network is also participating in the campaign.

The outdoor living promotion works in concert with SPC’s Raised Floor Living program. Richard Kleiner, SFPA’s director of treated markets, is involved in the project.

SFPA Welcomes New Member

SFPA welcomes the Kearney Companies Inc. of New Orleans as a new Associate member. Kearney provides global logistics services throughout the Gulf South region. Four generations of the Kearney family have been involved in maritime and logistics activities through the Port of New Orleans and other Gulf of Mexico ports. Their expertise includes international freight forwarding, import customs house brokerage, commodity warehousing, rail transload services and retail deconsolidation. For more information visit www.kearneycompanies.com. The firm will be represented in SFPA by Vice President David Kearney. Contact David at 504/831-0266 or dkearney@kearneycompanies.com.   

SFPA, LSU AgCenter Continue to Educate Builders on Raised Floors

A series of raised floor construction workshops coordinated by the LSU AgCenter got off to a good start in New Iberia, La., last week with 10 builders attending. Richard Kleiner, SFPA’s director of treated markets, was among presenters for the six-hour continuing education course. He also had the opportunity to speak to about 30 builders attending a meeting of the Teche Area Builders Association after the workshop. The raised floor workshops are an expanded version of a four-hour seminar the AgCenter presented to several homebuilder association chapters in Southeast Louisiana last fall. The workshop covers foundation issues such as soils, permits and termites; a new set of prescriptive guidance for pier-and-beam construction; insulation, ventilation and moisture management; and more. Additional workshops are scheduled April 29 with the Southeastern Louisiana Home Builders Association in Houma, La., and April 30 with the Home Builders Association of Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles, La. For more information, contact Richard at 504/443-4464, ext. 211, or by e-mail at rkleiner@sfpa.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.

·  Russell Richardson, director of industrial markets, will promote Southern Pine interior flooring products at the National Wood Flooring Association’s 2009 Annual Convention, April 28 through May 1 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif.

·  Richard Kleiner, director of treated markets, and Kim Drew, public relations consultant for the Southern Pine Council, will promote raised wood foundations at the 7th Annual World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show & Conference May 8-9 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  

mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.