OKLAHOMA NOTES

JOHN BRANSCUil execudve vlce precldent

EvEN THOUGH the Spring Mart b'88 convention dates are still eight months off, the OLA staffhas begun the mammoth task of setting up the annual convention and buyers' exposition.

Supplies have been printed and exhibit space contracts will be mailed to previous exhibitors this month so that they can reserve the same space they had last year if they so desire. Soon after, over 1000 information packets, each containing a prospectus and exhibit space contract, will be mailed to corporations nationwide.

Despite the recent hardships plaguing our industry. we anticipate a larger convention this year. We feel this convention will be larger because the news is out that the Oklahoma economy has turned the corner and, with continued improvement should provide Spring Mart '88 exhibitors a good opportunity to sell their products.

The OLA staff, while optimistic, plans to leave as little as possible to chance. They plan to aggressively market to prospective exhibitors by using their current mailing lists. by continually searching out new prospects and bY enlisting the help of OLA members.

District meetings are underway with District 4 to meet in Enid at the Midwestern Inn on Sept. l0; Distrio 5 in Oklahoma City's Holiday Inn, Sept. 22 and District 6 at Fishermen's Cove, Lawton. Oct. l. These meetings offer the opportunity to take part in OLA's long term planning. The 4 p.m. woodshed sessions will allow retail and associate members to give feedback and input to the OLA staff.

The educational committee, Henry Bockus lll, Phil Kennedy, Mike Yates and Norm Rollins. has begun a series of meetings to formulate a long term education program. Members of OLA will be polled to determine interest levels for various subjects and to determine suitable styles of presentation.

Establishing a video library, offering correspondence courses, conducting seminars and organizing a mill tour are ideas under consideration.