Building Products Digest

How to moke first-timen comfortoble undertokng one of the most populor d-i-y proiects.

Serving 13 Southern states

PUBLISHER David Cutler (dcutler@ioc.net)

SENIoR EDIToR David Koenig (dkoenig@ioc.net)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dave Delval (ddelval @ ioc.net)

CONTRIBUTORS Dwight Curran, Gage McKinney

AD SALES MANAGER Chuck Casev

ART DIRECTOR Manha Emery

STAFF ARTIST Chas. Balun

CIRCULATIo]{ Autumn Schwanke

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DAVID CUTLER publisher dcutler@ioc.net

It's Showtime!

Generally considered the hottest new trade show on the circuit, the North American Wholesale Lumber Association's Traders Market is a good example of the evolving world of industry trade shows.

Once upon a time, dealer and wholesaler associations took a full week for their annual convention, now it's often only four days and the new gatherings, like the Traders Market, are three-day affairs.

Recognizing this, our October issue will feature a full-color supplement devoted to the Traders Market, reviewing the front line buyer and seller format that promises to draw 1,500 people to this third annual at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, November 5-7. Unlike the dealer shows. wholesalers will be there as attendees, rather than exhibitors.

Historically, association meetings were annual, relaxed conclaves that were as much social as business. Then the trade show became part of the convention. Later, business seminars and minishows were held at various times of the year. Companies held their own product shows. Then

Lumber

I " Yellow Pine Boords 'C' , 'D' , #2 l" Yellow Pine Boords (Potterns)

2x4 thru 2x12 #1, #2, #3 S4S Yellow Pine

1',2u, 4u,6" Yellow Pine Wolmonized l" Ponderoso Pine Boords'C','D', #2, #3

2" Doug Fn #2 & Better, Utility

2" Spruce Pine Fir #2 & Better, Utility Redwood & Cedor - Inventory the co-ops began their buying shows, impinging upon traditional association turf. Today, many state dealer associations hold successful shows. though some are smaller than l0 or 20 years ago.

Time is the factor that comes into play in assessing the show situation. Vendors usually greet new shows with, "Oh no, not another show. We're already maxed out in both time and budget." As the pace of American business moves more rapidly, the before, during and after and the costs involved weigh heavily on any potential participant.

More and more, both vendor and showgoer want a situation where business can be done. Fewer of the meet-and-greet, howdy-and-the handshake shows are retaining their full complement of visitors. No one seems to have the time: the demands of business to be profitable are unrelenting.

The marketplace will be the final arbiter of how many and what kind of trade shows will survive and prosper. But as NAWLA's Traders Market has shown, a shortened format at the right price, conducive to business, will still draw a big crowd.

Yellow Pine CDX & Sturdifloor

Yellow Pine BC Sonded

Yellow Pine Premium & Decorotive Sidings

Woferboords

Fir Sonded & Fir Sidings

Hordwood Plywoods

Hordboord Sidings - Mosonite #1 &#2

Treoted Plywoods Avoiloble