WESTERN ASS0C[ATlr0N NEWS

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association's Building Materials Buying Show in Denver had a 170/o increase in attendance with 645 people from retail building material centers and door, window and millwork specialty operations attending.

Figures were lurther broken down into 183 retail lumber yards represented with 57% of those attending owners, managers, officers or buyers.

The event was a showcase for new products. Those most often mentioned by dealers were southwestern-style doors, curved glass windows, sheet metal ceiling panels, tongue and groove pine paneling, parallam beams and prefinished shelving.

Some 90 exhibiting companies contracted tor 142 exhibit spaces. Sales at the show were estimated at $3.7 million. Three companies were presented with awards lor having the "best booth." MacMillan Bloedel won in the single booth categoryt Champion International double category and Hudson Millwork multiple category. Three companies received an honorable mention for best booth: Wigand Corp., Capital Lumber Co. and BMD. Criteria for the award is based on an exhibitor's ability to communicate their message and willingness to educate dealers.

Judges were Roger Wulf, BMC West, Aspen, Co., Lee Jordan, Jordan's Building and Do-it Center, Wheat Ridge, Co., and Bill Allen, Russell Lumber, Douglas, Wy.

Some 230 rare Indianhead nickels and pennies were Eiven to dealers who presented 20 or more invitation tickets with different exhibitor names on them. The tickets were collected and traded like baseball cards before the show.

"The association has made a commitment to hospitality at the show. We want participants to feel good and see themselves as part of a larger whole," MSLBMDA executive v.p. Fred Caruso said. "We offer free lood and beverage and friendship."

The Building Materials Buying Show is held each year on the second Thursday and Friday of March.

Lumber Association of Southern California asks members to continue supporting "Trees Are For People," now in its tenth year of spreading the message to Southern California schools. Contributions of $25 or more can be sent c/o director Nancy Inmon, 2588-D El Camino Real, No. 322, Carlsbad, Ca. 92008.

Future Dates

Check our Calendar on page 20 lor information on upcoming conventions, meetings and trade shows in your region.