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1zt's back and ready to resume its f growth as arguably the lumber 4,industrv's hottest show.

The North American Wholesale Lumber Association anticipates its 7th annual NAWLA Traders Market-set for November 7-9 in Dallas, Tx.-to exhibit the robust attendance and excitement that marked the show's first five years.

Last year's Traders Market, one of the first major industry to be held after September I I brought airline travel to a relative standstill, suffered a 25Vo attendance drop time. Although 1,500 made the trip, it was the first time the event had not grown in size.

This year, expect closer to the nearly 2,000 lumber traders and 277 exhibiting companies that packed the sold-out 2000 edition of the Traders Market.

The show's aim has been to gather under one roof as many suppliers and distributors as possible. It has become so popular because it brings together the people who do the actual trading. A central location, minimal rates to attend and exhibit, compact schedule are designed to encourage maximum participation.

Since the show is held at the end of the fall buying season, traders can learn about upcoming products as hours the second. they begin planning for next year.

Strict attendance requirements guarantee the aisles aren't clogged with custom birdhouse builders from Wisconsin. The Traders Market prequalifies visitors by restricting admission to "bona fide wholesalers," including wholesaler-processors, foreign wholesalers, and off-shore agents. Manufacturers, service providers and importers are eligible to attend only if they exhibit. That means no manufacturer representatives, retailers, buying cooperatives, builders, contractors or non-exhibiting primary manufacturers, service providers or importers may attend.

Because the show is held on a Friday and Saturday, sales reps don't have to take too much time away from the office. There also aren't days filled with endless speeches. The agenda is bare bones, with a handful of targeted seminars held the morning before the show opens for the first day. And, the show remains open just four hours the first day, five

Exhibitors also are scrutinized. Most manufacture wood products, although several producers of related services (such as software); related products (such as hardware), and some competing products have been permitted.

For more information on attendins or exhibiting, contact NAWLA aI (8OO) 521-8258, Fax 841-870-0201, or visit www.lumber.org.

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Circle No.2

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An optional full-day program held Thursday Nov. 7 in conjunctionwith NAWI'A Traders Market.

The current business environment is no walk in the park. Even if you are enjoying respectable profits today, dark clouds on the near horizon promise new challenges ahead.

NAWLA recently surveyed member chief financial officers seeking their interest in an industry-specific, finance-oriented progam and their input on the topics most important, right now, to them and their companies. Based on survey responses, NAWLA then formed a CFO Task Force that developed a full-day meeting agenda.

The program is not designed just for c.f.o.s. It will appeal to owners, ceos, coos, credit managers and those involved in purchasing insurance. Anyone involved in your company's banking relationships, credit management, performance appraisals, and insurance purchasing decisions is encouraged to attend.

Survey respondents also stated a desire to link this program to the Traders Market. They felt that their show experience would help them to better understand the industry, and to put faces to the company names with which they do business.

The seminar will be held Nov. 7, the day before the show opens.

The itinierary:

9-9:45 a.m.: Bar*ing Relationships

10-10:45 a.m.: Credit Management

10:45-11 a.m.: Refreshment Break

11-l l:45 a.m.: Employee Productivity and Compensation l:15-2 p.m.: Roundtable Discussion Debriefs

I l:45-1 p.m.: Roundtable lunch session (oin your fellow attendees for lunch and roundtable discussions to address the three topics from the morning sessions. Tables will be available to choose from for each of the three morning topics.)

2-2:15 p.m.: Refreshment Break

2:15-3:3O p.m.: Risk Management: Controlling Insurance Costs

3:30-4 p.m.: Concluding Remarks and Assessment