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aITRIKINC a balance between \tried-and-true and fresh-and!new. the North American Wholesale Lumber Association is putting the finishing touches on its l4th annual Traders Market. next month in Chicago.

Back from last year, of course, is the super-sized exhibit hall, packed with over 200 exhibiting manufacturers to welcome more than 1,200 expected attendees.

New this year will be "Spotlight on Exhibitors"-mini-sessions held during the show, in which manufacturers will reveal new products, offer live demonstrations of products, conduct question-and-answer sessions on industry topics, or simply share more detailed information about their companies. The 30-minute presentations will be held on a stage set up right on the show floor.

Preceding the show will be two full days of seminars and activities.

Things begin Thursday morning with a tour of CME Group (the merged Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade). Although the trip is free, space is limited and reservations are required. Unlike last year, only one trip will be offered.

Following the tour, at lunch-time the Magellan Club will explore global timber trade issues with five industry experts, each examining a different geography, sector or aspect of importing and exporting. This session requires a separate fee and advance resistration.

By popular demand, a past speaker, motivator Rick Grandinetti, will return to kick off the educational sessions. He will be followed by a LBM distribution forecast, credit risk management seminar, and three-pronged class on the green building movement. Although tough economic times have forced industry members to cut back on the number of shows they attend, NAWLA Traders Market appears to remain the most anticipated event in the lumber business. as it strives to target the maximum number of suppliers and distributors, gathering them under one roof, in a central location, with affordable rates to attend and exhibit.