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The 2007 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase will be held in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Dates and Location: September 12-15, 2007, at the Washington Hilton

The National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase is the place to be for any company, businessman, or craftsman who produces, sells, or works with hardwood lumber, or who provides equipment and services for anyone in the hardwood lumber industry. It doesn't matter whether you cut timber or install hardwood floors, there's something for everybody at the NHLA national event.

Exhibits, Meetings, and Presentations at the National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase
For starters, the 2007 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase features more than 100 exhibits on everything from kiln operation to sawmill equipment to specialty computer software. In fact, it's safe to say that the NHLA Convention is one of the most diverse tradeshows in America in that respect, since it caters to every facet of the enormous hardwood lumber industry. The convention also hosts a full schedule of associate organization meetings and receptions. The Hardwood Federation, International Wood Products Association, Canadian Lumbermen's Association, and the American Hardwood Export Council are just a few of the associate organizations that call the NHLA Convention home. Finally, when you're not making important decisions at meetings or wandering the exhibits, make sure you don't miss the educational seminars and presentations that have been planned to catch you up on the hardwood lumber industry's most exciting new industry trends.

Networking Opportunities at the NHLA Convention
Anybody in the hardwood lumber industry knows that networking with other professionals at all levels is one of the most valuable aspects of attending any conference. That is a fact that isn't lost on the NHLA. Golf and tennis tournaments, skeet shoots, cocktail receptions, dinners, lunches, and more, have all been organized to help you get to know your hardwood lumber compatriots. And if your wife isn't sure about attending, you might want to mention the Women's Networking Program on Thursday, September 13, and the Women's Coffee on September 14, as well.

National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase Keynote Speakers
Perhaps the two most exciting events at this year's NHLA Convention are the keynote speakers. Retired four star general, chief of staff, and secretary of state Colin Powell will speak to members on the 13th of September. And on the 14th, Oliver North will take the helm. Because of the high profile status of both speakers, the NHLA has hired an outside security firm to be present throughout the conference. No one without a 2007 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase badge, or who hasn't registered for the event, will be allowed into any conference event.

National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase Schedule
For those of you who like to plan ahead, here's the conference schedule as it stands now.

Tuesday, September 11th
2—4:30 pm HF Board Meeting

Wednesday, September 12th
8—9 am HF Breakfast (by invitation only)
1—5 pm Exhibitor Set-up
2—5 pm Registration Open
3—5 pm AWMA Annual Meeting
6—7:30 pm Welcome Reception
7—10 pm Board Dinner (off site & by invitation only)

Thursday, September 13th
7:30 am—4 pm Registration Open
7:00 am Continental Breakfast
8—10 am Opening Session/Gen. Powell
10 am—1 pm HDA Board Meeting/lunch (members only)
10 am—2 pm Exhibit Hall Open
10:30 am—2 pm Women's Network Program (offsite)
12:30—2 pm HF PAC Lunch
2:00 pm Exhibitor Lunch/Booth Drawing
2—4 pm Legends of Lumber
2:30 pm HF Clay Shoot (offsite) Click here for registration information.
3—4 pm Rules Forum
4—5:30 pm IWPA Reception
5—6 pm Under 40 Reception
6—7:30 pm NHLA Cocktail Reception
7pm HDA Board Dinner

Friday, September 14th
8 am—4 pm Registration Desk Open
7:30—9 am HDA Breakfast/Meeting (members only)
7:00—9 am CLA Breakfast/Meeting
8—9:00 am Domestic Hardwood Market Report
9—10 am 2nd Keynote/Oliver North
10—11 am International Market Report
10—11 am Seven Deadly Sins in the Hardwood Lumber Business (Seminar)
10—11 am Women's Coffee (in Suite)
11 am—2 pm Exhibit Hall Open
11 am—2 pm Exhibit Hall Luncheon
12—2 pm HFF Truth about Trees
2—4 pm AHEC Membership Meeting (members only)
2—3:30 pm Fellowship Christian Lumbermen
3—4 pm NHLA New Board Member Orientation (by invitation only)
6—7 pm Cocktail Reception
7—11 pm NHLA Friday Evening Gala

Saturday, September 15th
8—10 am NHLA Executive Committee Meeting (by invitation only)
8—10 am HFF Breakfast/Bd Meeting (by invitation only)
TBD Tours Click here for information and sign-up
11:00 AM HFF Golf Tournament
1—5 pm HFF Tennis
6—7 pm Final Cocktail Reception

Register at the NHLA Convention Website
Because this year's event is off limits to anyone who hasn't gone through the proper channels, it's very important that you take the time to register for the event ahead of time. Click on this link to get to the official Exposition & Showcase website, and to access the proper registration materials. Once you do, you can rest assured that you're in for one of the most informative and enjoyable tradeshows in the nation!