E!a newsandviews

rTtHE INDUSTRY is still talking about I the 8th annual convention of the Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California, and from what I hear, we had a real winner. By many yardsticks, this was the most successful LMA convention ever. Naturally, there are many reasons that can be mentioned. but I'd like to comment on one or two that seem paramount.

Over the past months LMA has made a decided effort to bring manufacturers and suppliers closer to dealers. Many persons felt that over the years our communications diminished to produce a widening gap between manufacturing and selling.

by BOB McBRIEN executive vice president of the Lumber Merchqnis Associotion of Northern

The LMA marketing committee was developed to solve this problem and help both suppliers and dealers do a better job. Out of this committee came the suggestion that we make manufacturers and suppliers a bigger part of our convention-and this we did to the liking of all who attended. *

From the dealers and suppliers I have talked with, this program was extremely successful and one that will probably be repeated often in the future. It gave the dealer the opportunity to ;e the various iterns which can help him increase sales. It gave the manufacturer the opportunity to talk first hand with the top dealers in northern California and western Nevada.

As with all LMA conventions, there was a changing of the guard with a salute to the outgoing officers and directors who served so well and a welcome to the new men who will carry on in their tradition. Art Masters and crew were praised for not only a fine convention, but for a year of most worthwhile programs. Newly-elected President Les Ley was pledged the support and interest of dealers and manufacturers-and so we begin an. other year, at mid year, of helping to make northern Cal-ifornia and Nevada excellent places in which to conduct our business.