National Hardwood Magazine - January 2024

HMA UPDATE
What Are Your Company’s Pathways To Success?
What’s in store for your business in
2024? Are you looking to improve your operations
with new equipment? How are you
going to pay for it? Is there a generational
gap in your workforce making communication
difficult? And what’s going on with the
economy this year?
If you’re asking yourself any of these
questions, then you’ll want to make plans
to attend HMA’s 2024 National Conference and Expo,
Monday–Wednesday, March 25–27, at The Charleston
Place Hotel in Charleston, SC. This year’s theme
is Pathways to Success and the agenda is filled with
learning sessions that will help your company navigate
the challenges ahead. Here’s a brief overview of a few
sessions.
•Funding Improvements:
Grant Opportunities
What exactly is the USDA Forest Service’s Wood Innovations
Grant (WIG) Program? How can a grant help
your company make equipment and operational upgrades?
What companies are eligible? How do you apply
for a grant? Marcus Taylor, Wood Innovations coordinator
for the Southern Region, will be with us to provide
all the details and answer questions.
•Effective Communication Panel
Times have changed and communicating with workers
from different generations can be challenging and frustrating
for all involved. This panel discussion,
moderated by Steve James—president and
CEO of Frank Miller Lumber Company and
a certified John C. Maxwell coach, trainer,
and speaker—will bring together a Millennial,
a Gen Xer, and a Boomer to provide insight
into how to overcome communication
issues and improve your company’s culture.
•Economic Predictions: Hits and Misses
Every year, attendees get to hear from an experienced
economist who gives an update on the U.S. economy.
HMA members have asked, “What did they get right
and where were they wrong?” This year, we’re welcoming
back our 2023 presenter, Dr. Christopher Kuehl,
co-founder of Armada Corporate Intelligence. His presentation
will give an honest critique of his assessment
last year, as well as a current look at the U.S. economy
and a forward-looking analysis of trends to watch. We’re
looking forward to what he has to say!
As a reminder, this event is open to all Hardwood industry
stakeholders—members, non-members, industry
suppliers, etc. All of the Conference details can be found
online at www.HMAmembers.org. And while you’re there,
take care of your registration, book your hotel room, see
the full schedule, browse the list of exhibitors, and consider
adding on a sponsorship! We’re looking forward to
seeing you in Charleston! n
BY IAN FAIGHT,
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
HARDWOOD MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
WARRENDALE, PA
412.244.0440
www.HMAmembers.org
Our industry has
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We’re telling them.
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12 JANUARY 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry
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JANUARY 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 13
Real American Hardwood is a registered trademark, and Build Your World is a trademark of the Real American Hardwood Coalition.
Real American Hardwood is a registered trademark, and Build Your World is a trademark of the Real American Hardwood Coalition.