NLBMDA Update
Highlights from the Summit A DELEGATION OF PRO DE ALERS DARED TO SPE AK, LISTEN AND LE ARN
J
ohn Adams, the nation’s second president, wrote: “Let us dare to read, speak, think and write.” To a large extent, that was the script during the 2022 ProDealer Industry Summit, which attracted LBM dealers and suppliers representing businesses across the country. They descended on the nation’s capitol for the first time since 2019, and the tackled an agenda that ranged from supply chain to diversity and labor, and from builder relations to succession planning. The event, organized by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association and HBSDealer, also included awards and recognition for high performance in the yard, and
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April 2022 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
dedication to the industry. While the Capitol Building was generally closed to visitors, Capitol Hill came to the Summit in the form of legislators and administrators. The first group promoted business-friendly policies, the second group described details of some of the less-thanfriendly regulations on the books. Headlining the Washington Briefing Breakfast were three members of congress: Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA). The most spirited of the three, Allen took the offensive against what he sees environmental extremism. “The problem with the economy is the new war on fossil fuel,” he said. “In this town, it’s a religion.” He also railed against regulations that restrict businesses from bringing growth and employment to their communities. “The good news is this,” he said ‘There are elections every two years.” Smith offered an optimistic note in his presentation to the dealers — a presentation that included
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