Calendar Of Events

(Continuedfrom p. 18)

Southern Cypress Manufacturers AssociationMay 6-7, annual meeting, Raleigh, N.C.; (412) 829-0770.

Ace llardware Corp.May 7-10, spring show, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fl.; (630) 990-6600.

Ligna-HanoverMay l0- f5, forestry fair, Hanover Fair Grounds, Hanover, Germany; (609) 987-1202.

Lumberments Association of TexasMay 10-15, estimating seminars, Waco, Tx.; (800) 749-5862.

Wallace Hardware Co., Inc.May 12-13, spring market, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, Tn.; (423) 5865650.

Southeast Asian International Building ExpositionMay 12-15, Singapore; (847) 605-1025.

National Hardwood Lumber AssociationMay 14-15, financial concepts course, Memphis, Tn.; (800) 933-0318.

Do it Best Corp.May 15-18, spring market, Indianapolis, In.; (219) 748-s300.

American Wood-Preservers' AssociationMay 16-20, annual meeting, Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.; (817) 326-6300.

International Building & Construction Trade Fair '99May 20-23, Shanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China; 0086-21-6255631 l.

International Mass Retail AssociationMay 22-25, annual convention, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fl.; (703) 841-2300.

Houston Hoo-Hoo ClubMay 24, spring golf tournament, Pine Crest Golf Course, Houston, Tx.: (281) 499-5575.

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers AssociationNday 26-27, executive committee meeting, Ritz Carlton Hotel, St. Louis, Mo.: (410) 546-0791.

Furr

Southern Building ShowJune 3.5, Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, Ga.; (800) 85+7736.

Oklahoma Lumberments AssociationJune 4-6, summer meeting, location TBA; (800) 444-177 1.

National Oak Flooring Manufacturers AssociationJune 45, mid-year meeting, Chateau on the Lake, Branson, Mo.; (901) s26-5016.

Australian International Building Materlals & Equipment ExhibitionJune 6-9, Interbuild '99, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia; (3Ol) 656-2942.

House-Hasson Hardware Co.June 12-13, market, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, Tn.; (423) 525o47t.

Carolinas-Tennessee Building Material AssociationJune 17-20, summer conference, The Homestead, Hot Springs, Ar.; (704) 376-r503.

Southern Pressure Treaters AssociationJune 20-22, summer meeting, The Homestead, Hot Springs, Ar.; (334) 9685726.

Forest Products SocietyJune 20-23, annual meeting, Boise Convention Center, Boise, Id.; (608) 231-1361.

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.June 23-25, summer meeting, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C. (336) 8858315.

Bricolage '99June 23-27, home improvement trade fair, Sao Paulo, Brazil; 55 ll-5505-2243.

Southern Forest Products AssociationJune 24-26, Expo '99, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga.; (504) 443u@.

National Hardwood Lumber AssociationJune 25-26, crisis management/media relations course, Memphis, Tn.; (800) 933-03 I 8.

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Maze

Dealers Stock Up For Y2K Flap

Do it Best Corp. has provided its member-retailers with an emergency preparedness plan and a six-page list of emergency products that would likely be in demand in the case of Y2K complications or more traditional emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding.

As a result of substantial media coverage of potential Y2K problems, when computers may misinterpret the year 2000 as 1900, consumers are already buying and stocking many products in anticipation of power shortages on a local or regional basis. The products on the co-op's emergency list are designed to help consumers during an extended power outage-

The list contains roughly 300 items, some of which were added solely because of the Y2K situation. Items in the power source/lighting category such as generators, kerosene lamps and flashlights are similar to the products recommended for traditional disursters.

The new list also contains extra heating products since potential power outages would occur in the winter, as well as water filtration and purification products. An expanded food preparation category includes products such as canned heat, iron skillets and propane gas grills, while storage items include gas cans, plastic containers and even a portable storage building.

"Our purchasing staff is increasing inventories in our retail service centers, but as vendors run out of products, we could experience delays in receiving those items," warns Ray Treen, vice president ofpurchasing for Do it Best.

Last month, members were sent a bulletin packet to order emergency items according to their market needs, as well as a newly designed plan-ogram of emergency items.

The co-op is also preparing an emergency check list that retailers can distribute to their customers. Retailers who want to build a display should either stock selected emergency items or plan a "one-each" display and special order the products for each customer. Do it Best suggests calling the display "emergency needs" or "emergency preparedness" to focus on a broader emergency area besides the Y2K situation.

This is meant to help keep retailers from exploiting or creating unneeded panic around potential Y2K problems. "We will avoid panic promotion of the Y2K problem by promoting products normally handled by our members," said Bill Zielke, vice president of marketing for Do it Best. "Nevertheless, consumers see the threat of the Y2K situation as a very serious issue. We want to make sure our members can either supply the items consumers are demanding or ease the worries resulting from the situation."

At Do it Best's May market, members will be able to attend Y2K seminars and other information sessions to find out how other members are preparing for potential problems. Items from the emergency list, as well as some drop-ship items, will be displayed in a separate room from the main exhibit floor.

"We've talked to Y2K experts, and no one knows for sure what will happen on Jan. l, 2000, but most believe at least some problems will occurmany of which will not have been anticipated," Zielke said. "Therefore, it's probably reasonable to plan and prepare for it."

SFPA Reassigns Managers

The Southern Forest Products Association has completed the final phase of its staff reorganization, by assigning its four marketing managers to target specific audiences and customer groups.

"Our goal has been to specialize these staff positions, based upon the individuals' area of expertise," explained marketing v.p. Jeff Easterling.

For 1999, Doug Burgin will concentrate on architects, specifiers and engineers; Eric Gee, builders, contractors and building inspectors; Richard Kleiner, builders, contractors, retailers and wholesalers, and Ewell Smith, architects, specifiers, retailers and wholesalers. All will target students.

Additionally, Burgin will oversee continuing education and accreditation for Southern Pine Council seminars; Gee will monitor wood requirements related to building codes; Kleiner will handle development of case study programs and binders, and Smith will direct trade show participation and special promotions.