lndependents Day Draws Record Crowds

ORE THAN 1500 Builder

Marts of America dealer and supplier executives made BMA's Independents Days a "smashing success." Held at the Hilton, Atlanta, Ga., the event maintained its record of being the largest building materials sales show in the world.

Purchases were in excess of $30 million during l6 hours of floor time, according to director of merchandising, C. C. Snyder. "This is an outstanding success in light of today's economy," he said, "and a reflection of the lumber dealer's confidence in both the short and longterm future of our industry."

About 250 supplier booths were manned by executives of l50leading building materials and 20 top forest products companies. "They, too, were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, excitement and dealer support at the exposition," Snyder continued.

This was the I lth annual products and management services exposition organized by Builder Marts of America, Inc. Traditionally, 9090 of their dealer network attends the show. This includes 650 lumber dealers with over 1200locations in 38 states.

A series of professional management seminars w:rs attended by 1000 lumber dealer personnel. Featured speakers, top name entertainment, banquet, prizes and allied activities complaed the threeday exposition, Feb. 14-16.

Management seminars opened with an AID/MAN computer systems output demonstration. Nationally-known liquidity planner, Robert Frisch, explained how employee stock ownership plans can insure proper perpetuation of the fanily business.

..The Chrnging Forest Products Industry" was portrayed by John Darrell, Abitibi-Price; Richard Davis, Willamette Industries; James Olmedo, Jr., Internationd Paper Co., and Jack McMillan, Canadian Forest Products Ltd.

Profit opportunities in door and window shops were reviewed by Mike Crawford and David Smith of that BMA operation. Lanny Moore, president of Frank Ulmer Lumber Co., relayed benefits from his organization's door and window unit shop.

A panel of dealers discussed the BMA incentive travel programs and this year's trips to Mexico and the Knoxville, Tn., World's Fair. Insurance and new telecommunications programs were presented.

A treasure chest ofcash and prizes was awarded to dealers including the Christmas Lumbcr Co., Harriman, Tn.

Story at a Glance

Largest building materlals sales show in world keeps record... $30

milllon

sales...

250 booths 1500 attend.

The two-day February buying show was opened by Ed Foreman, a motivator and trainer. Forernan was "terrific, getting dealers out oftheir chairs and on to the sales fl@r," according to Snyder. "He provided an excellent send off to the buying show."

Many social functions highlighted Independents Days with entertainment including musical comedy stars, Skiles and Henderson.

HERE ARE millions of do-it-

I yourselfers out there who are settins along quite well doing their 6wn iemode-iin!. Each year millions of Americans are buYing used homes and condominiums and refurbishing them themselves. Thus' there are con- stantlv new do-it-yourselfers coming into itre market providing a strong and growing market for all kinds of home improvement Products.

In the next ten Years the number of people between 25 and 44 will inbrease bv a third while the total population will increase by less than l07o' These new potential do-it-yourselfers are willing to learn how to make their own impivements. TheJ must learn becauss they cannot afford professional help.

Recognizing this trend, aggressive^ retaileri have taken advantage of manufacturers' consumer clinic Drograms and are enjoying additional ireri business as theY educate and train these young do-it-yourselfers in seminars, using films and demonstrations.

If anyone had told me several. years ago that plumbing fixtures, kitchen cibinets, countertoPs, ceilings' lishting fixtures. and even furnaces w"ould Le installed on a regular basis todav bv do-it-yourselfers, I would have be6n skeptical. Actually. people have gone even further and there is very little they will not tackle today' Not all do-it-yourselfers are men' I have seen Young women Pick uP a 4 x 8 sheet of decorative laminate, tie it on toP of their cars and drive away.

How did this come about? Seeing