It RICH mix of a buying show, Ainformation and education comprised the 80th annual convention of the Western Building Material Association, held recently in Portland, Or.

A Pacific Northwest and Alaska group, the WBMA's always strong show enjoyed greater strength: attendance upwell above l40Oand a healthy percentage increase in exhibitors at their Building Products Showcase. Exhibitors reported good buying activity as a strong traffic flow surrounded exhibits. Elections of new officers and directors are made by the group at this gathering. See box accompanying this article.

Following a kick-off cocktail party Nov. 5, (many more smiles this year than last), the dealers devoted Sunday morning to hearing a series of Quick Pitches on new products, ably presented by reps and factory people. That afternoon it was out of the con-

Story at a Glance

Buying show larger, well attended . attendance over 1400 . Robert L. Kerr elected president speakers anticipate a better 1984 . next yea!: same Portland hotel, with adjacent exhibit facility, Nov. 10-13.

vention hotelthe Red Lion Inn at Lloyd Centerto the nearby Memorial Coliseum to take advantage of a wide number of buying specials from exhibitors. Enthusiasm was high both days the exhibits were open.

The prospects for 1984 (good) and 1985 (not a disaster) were outlined by John Martin in his Keynoter address next morning. The executive v.p. of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association said that "something has to be done about the federal deficit." He sees the prospects for the remodeling,/doit-yourself markets as "excellent." One potential problem area upcom(Please turn to page 16)

SH0PTALK: (1) John Schick, Nancy & Jack Petersen, Joe Connors. (2) Dick Lewis, Jim Meyers, Walt Shriver. (3) John & Barbara Mayginnes, Steve Ahl. (4) Bill Wojtech, Mark, Nita & Marko Balfour. (5) Neil Wallace, Phil Harris, Bruce Selin. (6) Betsi Powers, Jim Turner, Kyle Kincaid. (7)Terri & Stacy Griffin, Betsi Powers, Lee Blackstock. (8) Ross & Audrey Shutts, Werner & Sylvia Richen. (9) Hal Huff, Jerry Wheeler. (10) Mel Treakle, Bruce Hood. (11) Steve Littlefield, chet Norlz. (12) susie & Earl Nelson, Ken Talbot, Bob Beers. (13) Wally Lynch, Gary Weatherly. (14) John Hathaway, Dale Haynes, Ted Ziemlak. (15) Phil Cole, Dave Stelle.