SCRLA Deolers Tell Experiences of Exposition

(Full Pictorial and Convention Coverage of the N.R.L.D.A. Exposition Starts on Page 4)

Active and Associate members of the Southern California Itetail Lurnber Assn. gathered in tl-re Biltmore l.r<-rtel, Los Angeles, at noon, December 8, to hear reports on the 6th alnual NRLDA Building Proclucts Exposition held in Clevelarrd, Ohio, November 14-17, from SCRI-A members 'lvho attended this "bang-up" event. Also at the meeting were three members of the Masonite Corporation to present "Selling the Whole Package," which was illustrated in color and enthusiastically receivecl by wholesalers and retailers alike. The color slides graphically explain the four salient principles of selling and is well worth taking the time to see.

Presider.rt Gilmore Ward called the meeting to order, following luncheon, by calling on tl-re La Habra retail lumber clealer, Arthur Dickenson, who gave a short resume' of l-ris experiences back in the colcl weather in Cleveland. He declared he was most impressed by the huge exhibit area and the many new products beirrg offered to dealers throughout the country.

"They were telling us the truth about rn'hat rve woulcl be selling in 1960 because our firm has already stockecl several of the items we saw in Cleveland," Dickenson saicl. He also menti.oned l-row well the convention was organizecl, selling methocls that rvere explair-red. He cleclarecl he u'as applying many of the ideas, along with products, to his own business.

Guy Barnett, Rossman Mill ct Lun.rber Company sales executive, was not only also impressecl with the exhibits but also with a 33-acre lumber yard he visited in Cleveland, all under cover. This outfit stockecl everything from furuiture and carpeting to all items of building materials, lumber and allied products. It was l.ris opinion such an operatiou would not be profitable in Soutl.rern California.

"l just woulcln't tracle our way of doing business for theirs," said Mr. Barnett.

The attendance also startled Guy as there were almost 25,000 lumber and builcling people on hand for the conclave, with 10,993 officially registered. "Boy ! to me, tl-rat is what you would call a most successful turr-out," he declared.

T<-rm Fox, president of John W. Fisher Lumber Company, Santa Monica, made the closing remarks. "There is an awful lot of meat in a National convention," cleclared Tom.

The "perennial delegate," as Prexy Ward called hirn, declared l.re has llever seen anything as fantastic as the latest NITLDA convention. "You increase your knowledge and profits through learning," declared Tom, "ancl that is what the alert man receives-all education," he continued. Tom infonnecl those present of the lumber ancl building materials dealers from Europe, South America, Canacla ancl the l.last Indies who helpecl su'ell the attenclance. He also reacl the wire receivecl at the convention from President Ike wishing the dealers well.

Tom then said all people plugging the 1960 convention

"This area is Number 2 in (Continued on ltl the this inclrrstry sl-rould start San Francisco. nation in clealer sales. We Page 53)