Wholesalers go high tech

ITIHE North American Wholesale

I. Lumber Association may be 103 years old, but you'd never know it from the high-tech, we're-ready-forchange atmosphere at their annual convention.

Kicking off with the Software Shootout, the initial program included computer demonstrations followed by talks on bar coding and Electronic Data Interchange as the lumbermen (lumberpersons?) began three days of

Story at a Glance

Technology themes annual meeting as wholesalers Prepare for new century Eric Canton elected new president ... attendance: 485.

meetings May 6.

Following golf and tennis Sunday morning, the opening general session heard more about bar coding and electronic business from Lowe's Cos.' Tom James, electronic commerce administrator for the big retailer.

An all day Monday management seminar was staged by D. Bruce Merrifield, Jr., Merrifield Consulting Group, who discussed a sequence of strategic steps wholesalers must follow to thrive in the next century. Emerging infotech developmens and opportunities were also covered.

Seven Manufacturers Council advisory meetings preceded Tuesday's second general session and the presentation of the latest Temperate Forest Foundation video by its president Bob Legg.

Two-hour-long contact sessions were held Monday and Tuesday. The popular convention feature allows wholesalers and their suppliers to discuss business over table top exhibits.

NAWLA is tentatively planning a three-day Fall Traders Market that would expand on the contact session concept. If approved, present plans call for it to be held in Dallas, Tx., in 1996.

William Swindells, ceo, Willamette Industries, was honored as this year's recipient of the prestigious John J. Mulrooney Award for community and industry achievements.

Eric Canton was elected new prcsident; Steve Snavely, lst v.p.; Fagan Cox, 2nd v.p.; Jerry Gustafson, treasurer, and Nick Kent, secretary and executive v.p.

Next year's annual meeting will be held at Loews' Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Az., May 3-7. The 1997 annual will be at the Hyan Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Tx., May 2-6. This year's meeting was held at the Westin Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C., May G9.