AHEC REPORT AHEC REVISES
AHEC REPORT AHEC REVISES ACTIVITY PLAN TO MAINTAIN PROMOTION AMIDST PANDEMIC The American Hardwood Export Council team is responding to the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak by adopting a new way of working: from home with daily meetings carried out through online platforms such as Zoom, We- Chat, and WhatsApp. Many of our previously planned activities are on hold, including; in-person seminars, tradeservicing trips, trade shows, and design events such as London Design Festival, Venice Biennale Architectural Festival and Sydney Design Week. As a result, we are shifting our focus to promotion online in order to capitalize on recent efforts to grow our online presence through new website tools, newsletters and social media. We are in a good position now to build on this work and explore new opportunities to compensate for the fact we can no longer, for the time being, run an activity driven program. Our plans include: • Remote trade servicing: continue talking regularly to our trade and manufacturing contacts, by video link and telephone, to gauge market conditions and activity resulting from the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus epidemic. • Demonstrating the sustainability and legality of U.S. Hardwoods: AHEC Europe has created a position statement on the legality and sustainability of U.S. Hardwoods. This statement has been produced to help maunfacturers and retailers selling U.S. Hardwood products in Europe to provide assurance to their customers when certified supplies are not available. This statement was widely distributed and posted on americanhardwood.org in April. • “Connected” Pan European Design project: Launched in April, AHEC has conceived an ambitious new design project ‘Connected’ featuring Red Oak, Maple and Cherry. Eight of Europe’s leading product designers from different countries will each create a chair and table for living alone at home, recording their experiences in video diaries and developing the prototypes via video links with the manufacturer. These individual pieces will then connect together to form one large meeting table as an installation, to bring together all the designers for a series of discussion events, when social interaction is restored. This project will be delivered in a way that reflects and responds to the new way of communicating and working that we are all having to adjust to during the coronavirus pandemic. • Global young designers competition: We are in discussion with international design and lifestyle magazine Wallpaper about collaborating to run a pan European or global design competition for young designers. It will be Please turn to page 56 BY MICHAEL SNOW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL, STERLING, VA 703-435-2900 WWW.AHEC.ORG 16 JUNE 2020 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE
NHLA NEWS THE SHOW WILL GO ON THE 2020 NHLA ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXHIBIT SHOWCASE: SEPTEMBER 23-25 Since NHLA was created in 1898, the Hardwood industry has seen it all. Numerous wars to end all wars, several Great Depressions to end all Great Depressions, trade wars, labor shortages, activists – the list goes on. This is not even our first global pandemic – and we are still here. To paraphrase Mark Twain… the news of our demise has been greatly exaggerated. Against all odds, this is an industry that built and then rebuilt America, even before NHLA was conceived. Multi-generations of the same families that are with us today were a part of creating the foundation that made us resilient. And NHLA is humbled to serve you. The NHLA Convention is just one example of our resiliency as an industry and association. For 123 years, against almost insurmountable odds, the NHLA Annual Convention is where the Hardwood industry has come together to trade, learn and discuss the important topics and trends affecting the Hardwood industry. For those of you who attended the conference last year, you will remember how good it felt to be at the show, not as survivors of a devastating trade war, but as champions advocating on our industry’s behalf. As of today, we fully expect the 2020 NHLA Annual Convention will take place September 23-25, in Louisville, Kentucky. The city is an easy drive for many members in the region. Everything is coming together as planned – relevant and exciting workshops, unparalleled networking events, and exhibitors that have what you need to compete in our new reality. You will not want to miss the updates about the progress being made by the industry’s promotional efforts, as well a new focus on tackling “faux wood” advertising. The exhibit hall is very close to selling out, with only four booths left, so do not wait to take advantage of all that the NHLA Convention offers. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available at all price ranges to enhance your visibility with potential customers. The NHLA staff and leadership will be constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Should unexpected changes need to be made, we will notify everyone immediately. If we are unable to host the event due to COVID-19, please know you can register with confidence that we have you covered, and registration refunds will be issued. In the meantime, NHLA is exploring new ways to connect with you via webinars and other virtual education opportunities featuring topics that can help your business prosper. Stay tuned for more. Together, we will face the challenge before us as we have in the past – with resolve and an unshakeable belief that we Please turn to page 57 BY LORNA D. CHRISTIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOC., MEMPHIS, TN 901-377-1818 WWW.NHLA.COM JUNE 2020 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 17
