IN THIS ISSUE... Washington D.C. Draws a Crowd! Education Program - Certification Seven Uses for HDA Video The Hardwood Council's Project is a Winner Dinner in Georgetown New HDA Leadership Elected Legislative Update

New Orleans is Next! Make plans to attend next year's convention in New Orleans. The dates are set for September 12-15th, 2001 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.   The CO$T of Doing Business Survey Next year's education program will review results of the cost of doing business survey. More information will follow, but be prepared to complete the survey when you receive it. All information is confidential and mailed directly to an accounting firm.

Washington D.C. Draws a Crowd!

NHLA experienced record attendance numbers for this year's international convention. Likewise, the HDA's turnout for the general meeting was excellent. Breakfast gathered the hungry at an early hour where networking began. Afterwards, the group moved into meeting rooms to discuss business.

Regional Reports

The following regional reports were given during Friday's meeting:

Northeast

Bob Keiver with Keiver-Willard Lumber Co. in Newbury Port, MA reported that customers were changing species frequently and there seemed to be a surplus of poplar. Bob also noted that their company had been working on educating schools about forest products. Recently, they donated saplings for the students to plant.

South

Jim Howard with Atlanta Hardwood Corp. in Atlanta, GA noted that accounts have been stretching their terms and that the log supply seemed tight.

Central

Skip Holmes with Thomas & Proetz in St. Louis, MO claimed that sales were good in the first two quarters. Due to a concrete strike in St. Louis, construction had been halted. He expressed concerns with increasing fuel prices and interest rates but overall claimed that the economy was good.

South Central

Chuck Bice with Sweeney Hardwoods in Fort Worth, TX declared that unemployment in the Dallas / Fort Worth area was extremely low. Population is increasing and supply is not a problem. He anticipated that his company would have a great year.

Pacific Southwest

G.T. Frost from Frost Hardwood Lumber in San Diego, CA explained that recently electrical power in California had been deregulated causing power prices to fluctuate anywhere from $ .24 to $ .05. This situation is causing major problems and uncertainties for companies in his area.

Pacific Northwest

Jim Price with Emerson Hardwood Co. in Portland, OR claimed that housing permits were off a little. Like other areas, unemployment is low making it difficult to find good employees. Also, he recognized a warning sign of an economic slowdown, with customers stretching their payments. Population in his area was increasing due to the silicon industry.