Lumber association to host regional meeting in Toronto

The North American Wholesale Lumber Association will hold a regional meeting Oct. 7 in Toronto at the Crown Plaza Toronto Airport.  The meeting offers local industry officials the chance to network, learn about the direction of the softwood industry and hear an update on NAWLA outreach activities.

The keynote speaker will be Rick Doman, president and CEO of Eacom Timber, the new owner of the Eastern Canadian sawmills formerly owned by Domtar.

"Rick Doman has bet big on the Eastern Softwood business," says Rick Ekstein, president of Weston Forest Group, who is serving as a co-chair for the meeting, in a news release. "The industry remains in a transformative phase and his insight into its direction will be invaluable to attendees."

In addition to Doman's presentation, a panel of some of the largest retailers in Canada will give attendees the chance to have a personal discussion on retail trends, end-of-supply-chain issues and product management.

"NAWLA and its members are the essential link in getting product from the producer to the retailer. While NAWLA represents manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, this meeting provides the wholesalers a special opportunity to hear from their suppliers and buyers at the same time," says Gary Vitale, NAWLA president. "Additionally, this will be NAWLA's first regional meeting in Toronto since 2006 and we are looking forward to having our members, and future members, hear about some of the exciting initiatives we have going on."

The meeting is open to association members and non-members. The registration fee is $89 and covers lunch, and registration is available online at www.nawla.org.