NEWS

CHUCK LINK executive director

T HE "1978 Survey of Buying I Power, Part II," published

by Sales & Marketing Management Magazine". shows that five of the nation's ten fastest growing metropolitan areas during the five year period of 1977-82 will be in the West.

Number one is Richland-Kennewick, Wa., area with a 28.50/o growth, and Olympia is sixth with 21.4010. Eight other Western areas were listed in the top 25.

Four of them are in WBMA's region: Anchorage, Pocatello, Boise and Salem. As usual, smaller markets dominate the growth projections because of a basic statistical relationship: the smaller the base, the easier it is to look good in the percent growth column.

Idaho members have joined forces with l3 other concerned organizations to form "Homes for ldaho Committgg."

The HFI Committee has drafted legislation. It has been introduced in the Idaho House of Representatives Business Committee as H.B. l. This legislation would eliminate ldaho's 100/o interest ceiling rate on home loans. Lending institutions in Idaho have seriously curtailed mortgage lending because they cannot afford to lend money at the same rate of interest they are paylng savers.

The Oregon legislative committee (Bob Kerr, chairman) met in Eugene, to discuss a 24-point program geared to reducing Worker's Compensation costs in Oregon.

Alaska dealers are workins with other concerned organizations in revising the Alaska Lien Law to make it less cumbersome to administer.

Washington members have meet with Duke Murray, assistant to Congressman Don Bonker, (D-Wa.), at Association headquartersin Olympia to air their concerns about federal legislation and regulations.

This is the first in a series of meetings with WBMA members to open up the lines of direct communication about the problems of our industry.

Our building products showcase advisory committee was established to review and evaluate our recent 1978 Building Products Showcase in Portland and develop suggestions and ideas for a bigger and better show in 1979.

The Portland section of the committee (six exhibitors and two WBMA members) met January 9 and the Seattle section (also with six exhibitors and two members) January 10. Some good suggestions came out of these meetings and we can look forward to an excellent show next year.

FRANK DAVIS executive vice president

T HE ALBSA Convention is May 3- I 5, at the Radisson Resort Hotel, Scottsdale, Az.

The theme for the 58th Convention is, "Coping with the Business Cycle of the Lumber Industry-The Optomist Approach".

One of the "Hi-Lites" will be The Honorable Don Young, U.S. House of Representatives, Alaska, who will address our Saturday a.m. Breakfast Session. His speech is, "Our LandKeys to Freedom".

Another top event is the Friday afternoon business program conducted by Ross Kincaid on "How to Improve R.O.t.".

This could be our best convention ever!

The activities begin at 8:30 a.m., May 3, with the annual Lumbermen's Golf Tournament at the Orange Tree Golf Club, 56th St. and Shea Blvd., in

Scottsdale. The Tennis Tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. on the Radisson courts. Registration opens in the hotel lobby at noon.

That evening, busses depart for Pinacle Peak and an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing.

Among other speakers are keynoter John Grogan, who will talk on "Coping with Business and Life in 1979." The president of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association, Calvert Brand, will discuss, "Teamwork To Build a Strong NLBMDA." Robert Herbst o[ the Western Wood Products Association will speak on WWPA's new marketing approach.

On the final day of the convention, the Hon. Leo Corbett, president of the Arizona State Senate, will give a general legislative report. Robert Fannin, a Phoenix attorney, will reprise the lien law.

That evening the annual banquet, complete with its important annual awards presentations, will complete the convention.

HARRY M ENDENHALL executive vice president Lumber