6 minute read
[ 2024/25 ] Record Growth, Resilience and Connection
As we look back on the 2024/25 membership year, BLD Connection celebrates a season defined by growth, resilience and the power of community. From record-setting educational programs to memorable outings, from impactful advocacy to an unforgettable Montana Mill Tour, our members showed once again why BLD Connection is the trusted home for building material and lumber dealers across the Midwest.
Strengthening Our Community Through Events
The two-day 2025 BizCons delivered another year of learning, networking and product knowledge. BizCon North in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and BizCon South in Altoona, Iowa, brought members together for industry-leading educational sessions, a dynamic trade show floor and memorable networking receptions. Planning is already underway for the 2026 events, which will continue to grow as the premier regional gatherings for our members.
BLD’s conference program also expanded. The second annual Nebraska Conference was hosted in December 2024, with planning underway for the third annual event this December. December 2025 will also see the launch of the brand-new Mid-America Conference in the Kansas City area, offering another opportunity for members to learn and connect.
The Wisconsin Connection Conference in January 2025 drew a record crowd, growing attendance by 20 percent and welcoming more associate member sponsors than ever before. Members engaged in seminars on sales, operations and leadership, joined in a membership luncheon, heard from a customer panel, and enjoyed a networking reception to close the day.
Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising at BLD Outings
From the annual Swing into Spring fishing, golf and cornhole event at the Lake of the Ozarks, to three additional golf tournaments and the alwayspopular Wine & Whiskey Outing, 2024/25 was packed with opportunities to connect outside the meeting room. With more events on the horizon, our outings program is only getting stronger, and members can look forward to an even more robust event calendar next season.
Exploring the Industry and the Outdoors
Our 2025 Mill Tour to Montana sold out in just two hours. This September, 45 participants visited Weyerhaeuser and F.H. Stoltze, enjoyed a scenic Glacier National Park tour, cruised the beautiful Flathead Lake and rafted the Flathead River.
It was the perfect blend of industry insight and unforgettable adventure, cementing the Mill Tour as one of BLD’s most unique and sought-after experiences.
Building Knowledge and Developing Leaders
Education remains the cornerstone of BLD Connection, and 2024/25 was a record-setting year. More than 800 participants attended more than 40 educational programs, ranging from LumberTech workshops to summer webinars.
Roundtable programs expanded once again, including the Women in LBM group with Dena Cordova-Jack’s Built to Lead series. Members also made use of BLD’s three online learning platforms for on-demand training.
Scholarship programs across Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan continued to support students and help members offset training costs. Looking ahead, new offerings like the Lumberyard Design and Operational Excellence Workshop, and additional high-impact training programs are planned for 2025/26.
Learning together has always been part of what makes BLD strong. When members come together in workshops and roundtables, they not only gain new skills but also build lasting relationships that carry back into their businesses and communities.
Advocating and Growing Together
Behind the scenes, BLD Connection strengthened its foundation and amplified its voice. In November 2024, the Minneapolis-based team moved into a new office in Plymouth, featuring a technology-focused conference room designed for staff and member use.
On the advocacy front, BLD partnered again with the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association.
Seventeen BLD Connection members traveled to Washington, D.C., for the annual Legislative Conference, meeting with more than 50 legislators on key issues.
The timing was memorable, as our delegation was on Capitol Hill the same day President Trump announced international tariffs. This gave our members a timely opportunity to share the dealer perspective on trade and its impacts.
Looking Ahead
From conferences and outings to education and advocacy, the 2024/25 year reinforced the value of connection. Our membership continues to grow with new dealer and associate members joining the community, and our programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s dealers and suppliers.
At its heart, being part of BLD Connection means standing together. Retail and associate members support one another by showing up, sharing knowledge and building opportunities through events and programs. Every connection adds strength to our community and helps all of us move forward.
Education will continue to play a central role. Learning together, whether in a workshop, at a roundtable or through online training, equips our members with new tools while also strengthening relationships across the industry.
The growth and confidence that come from these experiences extend far beyond the classroom, supporting both business success and community connection.
As we prepare for 2026, plans are already underway for BizCon North and South, upcoming Connection Conferences and a new season of outings. Together, we will keep building stronger businesses, stronger communities and stronger connections.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
BLD Connection extends a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors who made our events, classes and conferences possible. From golf outings and wine tours to conferences and education, your support strengthens our community and creates opportunities for all members.
Absolute Distribution, Inc.
Allweather Wood / Humboldt
Alpine Truss, LLC
AMC Foam
Amerhart
Barricade Building Products
Bayer Built Woodworks, Inc.
BLD Connection 401k MEP
Blish-Mize
BlueLinx
Boise Cascade
Central Lumber Sales, Inc.
Central States Manufacturing
CertainTeed LLC
Chicago Lumber Company
Dakota Steel & Trim, Inc.
Data Business Equipment, Inc.
Dealers Choice
DMSi Software
Do it Best Corp
Doman Lumber
Emser Tile / Laticrete
Federated Insurance
Frontier Forest Products, Inc.
FrontLine Building Products
GAF
Gerkin Windows & Doors
Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc.
Hutchison Lumber and Building Products
James Hardie Building Products
Key Wholesale Building Products, Inc.
LBM Advantage
Long Creek Steel
LP Building Solutions
Malarkey Roofing Products
Manion Lumber & Truss, Inc.
Manion’s Wholesale Building Supplies
Masonite
Mid-Am Building Supply
Midway Windows & Doors
Monarch Cement Company
Nextran Truck Center
Northern Crossarm Co., Inc.
Novo Building Products
Owens Corning
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Ins. Co.
ProWood
Quaker Windows and Doors
RION Equipment
Rollex Corporation
Run Payments
SalesJack
Schutte Lumber Company
Simpson Strong-Tie
Sprenger Midwest, Inc.
Sunbelt Business Advisors / True
North Mergers & Acquisitions
Thermo-Tech Premium Windows and Doors
Treeline Forest Products LLC
Trex Company
Wausau Supply Company
Western Building Products, Inc.
Westlake Royal Building Products
Wisconsin Lumber Dealers EducationFoundation Inc.
Wolf Home Products
WorkSafeWorkSmart.com, LLC
