NAWLA Wholesalers Meet In April

The April 23-26th annual meeting of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association will emphasize inflation, taxation and governmental regulations during business sessions. The Boca Raton, Florida, meeting is expected to draw 750-800 from all parts of North America.

There will be three seneral ses-

NHIC Expo Scores Record

The recently-concluded National Home Improvement Council's Expo/Convention '79 in Chicago was the most successful show in the organization's 23-year history. It logged more than twice the attendance of last year's convention, establishing a new all-time record. It also generated enough exhibitor enthusiasm to have nearly a third of the booth space reserved for next year's convention.

Among the highlights of the three-day event were more than 35 sions. Tuesday's will feature Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Professor of Business Economics at the University of California. who will discuss his theory that massive tax cuts actually increase tax revenues.

At Wednesday's session, A. Daniel O'Neal. Jr.. Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion,will discuss transporta- well-attended workshops and seminars, an update on pending legis- lation affecting the residential remodeling industry, and addresses by noted columnist James J. Kilpatrick, Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), and McNeill Stokes, leading construction contracts authority.

In his state-of-the-industry address, outgoing Council President Edward A. More pointed out how the strides made at Expo/Convention parallel those of the entire residential remodeling industry. "The tion deregulation; and Mr. Charles Donelan, former trial attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. the perils of anti-trust. home improvement industry finished 1978 at $36 billion, an amazing l60lo higher than a record 1977," More noted.

Governor Tom McCall, former governor of the State of Oregon, and renowned journalist and television commentator, will discuss how small business can involve itself in the political forces at Thursday's session.

It is expected that a specially selected committee will choose a successor as managing officer to the late J.J. "Jack" Mulrooney at the convention.

He cited industry predictions that 1979 will bring llolo growth over 1978's home improvement level, boosting the market to a $40 billion annual level.

Looking further ahead, NHIC President Eugene B. Squires said, "some of our prognosticators are predicting that by 1985, the home improvement business could reach $90 billion."