DURAWOOD

Pre ssure.l?ealed Douglas.

Fir Decking

Online Trade Show A Success

What if attending a trade show was as easy as logging onto a special Web site? Would customers and vendors be interested? How would sales compare to those at a traditional trade show?

These questions were asked by Emery-Waterhouse, a hardlines distributor based in Portland, Me., before it hosted the hardlines industry's first online trade show. lnitially planned as a supplement to its fall promotion, the online show was a success: it cost 2OVa less to produce and sales were up 32Vo over last year's fall promotion.

"We realize our vendors and customers attend an enormous number of shows each year," said Don Dickson, senior v.p. of Emery. "We wanted to introduce a new, more efficient way of buying and selling products."

The online show let customers view the entire show

ONLINE trade show "attendees" could visit any of 22 exhibitors without leaving their office.

- lnage by Emery-Waterhouse floor or individual booths. During the show, customers, vendors and Emery reps could communicate via online chat. e-mail or e-cards. Unlike traditional trade shows, participants and vendors could view real-time information, allowing them to track purchases and sales throughout the show. the world market leader in and tems for processing solid wood. In particular, Schroder praised the company's vision in deciding on the internationalization of its producls at a very early stage. Weinig's innovations over the vears have included the Unimat range, the hydro-tool and new processes for window manufacture.

Because of the success of the online show, Emery plans to have a full online show next year. Additional features will include online training, product demonstrations, and the introduction of new products.

"California Grown" Growing

If you are starting to think that "California Grown" is just about everywhere, it isn't your imagination. With the licensing program alone growing by nearly l5% since the beginning of the year. the campaign is reaching more consumers than ever before.

In addition to its existing signatory members. other growers are joining the cause and promoting the state's forests. farms. ranches and fisheries. The logo now appears on everything from lumber to lemons, even caviar.

The forest products industry, in particular, has been supportive of the campaign with two major manufacturers incorporating the logo into their product marketing. Earlier this year,