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By R0SS KINCAID executive vice president

FtROl,t THE opening Hawaiian holiday r preview to the final event, enthusiasm was high, attendance was good and the 65th Annual lVestern Exposition can be rated as one of the best ever held. Look on page eight of this issue of The Me'rchant for pictures. Total registration surpassed previous highs by about 400. The preview attracted about 2000 persons who enjoyed the exhibit.area, the exhibits and the log rolling exhibition by World Champion Diane Rowe.

Approximately 500 attended each of the business sessions. The round table discussion "Look to the Future" was exceptionally well received. Each panelist was articuIate and their presentations and candid discussions of trends in buildins material marketing provided much valuable background information on what to plan for the future. Also well received were the "Profitron" marketing and management service presented by William R. Smolkin and now available to dealers, and John Wolfe's inspiring four-point selling system.

Over 600 attended this vear's new event. the All-Industry Luncheon, enjoyed the amazing feats of memory expert Harry Lorayne, and the colorful style show.

The two big social events.-the Vestern Roundup Mixer and the Dinner-were popular as always, with a total of over 1300 participating in the two afiairs. The 1968 Western Exposition was a fine tribute to Chairman Idan Iverson and all committee members, to the exhibitors, to those participating in the programs and to the exceptional dealer and associate member support.

Homer Greer took over the president's gavel from Jim Hayes that night at the big annual dinner dance. Ross Kincaid and chief yardbird John Kendall were each gifted with eye-blasting sports jackets to honor their hard work and dedication.

For E. P. "Woody" Railey of Scharpf's Twin Oaks Builders Supply, Albany. Oregon, it was the "lucky" Exposition. He was the winner of the WBMA member dealer grand prize: two round-trip plane fares to Hawaii. Congratulations, W'oody-We hope you and Mrs. Railey have an' enjoyable Hawaiian Holiday.

is the wc:y cr visiting lumber decrler described Rosboro lumber when he toured the mill. This stctement reflects Rosboro's policy of clecrnliness throughout our plcrnt . qnd in the hcndling ond storing of stock. All Rosboro lumber is stored under cover, protected from the summer sun qnd winter rqin.

You will clwoys be qssured of getting cleqn bright stock . . just c:s it came from the dry kiln...fromRosboro.

The other lucky winners rvho received attendance prizes of 3-piece luggage sets were: Elmer Banta, Banta Building Supply, Ninilchik, Alaska; Gerald Anderson, Boise Cascade Corp.; Herb Franke, Garrigus Lumber, Forest Grove, Oregon; and Don Olson, Poulsbo Lumber Co., Poulsbo, \Vash.

66 A LOOK Into Your Future" will theme Aou. annual convention to be held in the Mountain Shadows Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, May 9-11. This marks a change from previous plans to hold the convention at the Francisco Grande Hotel in Casa Grande.

This year's convention promises to be a great one. A fine array o{ speakers have been lined up for the three day event.

Four Northwestern dealers have won $750 trips to Hawaii in a contest open to Palmer G. Lewis & Co. suppliers in Wash' ington, Oregon, Montana and Alaska. Winning were: Madison Lum'ber Co., Seattle; Bremerton Building Supply, Brem' erton; LeMaster Building Supply, Everett; and Plywood Supply, College, Alaska.

Ross Kincaid, executive vice'president of the Western Building Material Association, presided at the drawing.

Lu Green, head of Gamerston & Green Lumber Co. in Oakland, Calif., will close his big retail operation as soon as present commitments to his builder customers have been filled.

Closure of "G & G" marks the end of what was one of the largest volume yards in that area. Gamerston & Green Lumber was founded in 1932, as a wholesaler by Green and the late Harry Gamerston. They leased dock space .in San Francisco and Oakland and when the Army took over the docks in WW II their Oakland operation was moved to its present location at 200I Livingston St. and its San Francisco yard to 515 Tunnel Ave. The latter yard was closed last year and Green estimates that Oakland will be closed with an auction later this spring.

El Gato Building Materials, Inc., at 575 University Ave. in Los Gatos, Calif', has been formed by Frank Haller, Walter Pierce and Jack Vodden.

Prinlipils are all former employees of the Steiling Lumber Co. chain which is currently in the process of liquidation. Haller, former manager of Sterling Lumber's Los Gatos yard until its recent close, plans to concentrate on the remodeling and retail trade in the high income community.

They are Harold Coons, advertising and promotion manager, Keystone Wire and Steel Co.; William R. Smolkin of a New Orleans-based marketing and consulting firm; Dick Anderson, American Plywood Association and Heartsill Wilson, one of the nation's leading inspirational speakers. Featured at the convention will be a panel discussion based on "Building Ma- terial Industry Problems." David Cutler, editor of Thc Merchant Magazine, will moderate a panel of experts including re' tailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. The panel includes: Joseph Hammond, Arm' strong Cork Co.; George Benson, Celotex Corp.; Morris Turken, Thrift Builders Sup' ply; Dean Drake, O'Malley Lumber Co. and Henry Galbraith, Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Co.

The annual lurnbermen's golf tourna' ment is set for opening day. A fine schedule of social events is planned throughout. The full schedule of these events will appear in next month's Merchant Magazine.

We represent over one hundred Western producers of Ponderosa and Sugar Pine... Redwood lumber and Redwood split products... Douglas Fir and White Fir

Hemlock and Cedar lumber, as well as a complete line of Cedar fencing. Your one callto Hobbs Wall is a short-cut to fast servace and the right grades at the right prices, backed by a solid reputation for dependable dealing.