Schedule of Events

Wood packaging consumes well over 9 billion board feet of lumber in North America each year. Dive into the evolution of wood packaging with our Executive Panel. Industry leaders explore the demand, innovation, and sustainability shaping the future. With a focus on quality, customization, and sustainable practices; these leaders bring expertise in manufacturing wood pallets, high-value crates, and containers. Learn how they manage waste streams, employ cutting-edge technology, and provide customized solutions. This session unveils the intricate balance between supply chain demand, innovation, and sustainability in the dynamic world of wood packaging and its alternatives.

Ian Fillinger, President & CEO of Interfor Corporation, will present constraints and challenges impacting the North American lumber supply, providing a region-by-region perspective.

Unemployment rates are historically low. Talent is hard to find. Compensation is on the rise, and the trends of the Great Resignation and Silent Quitting are continuing. Business leaders are beginning to realize that creating an enriching workplace culture is the key to future organizational success. Join Claudia St. John to discuss some of the root causes of these trends, to explore how leaders, managers and supervisors can create a sustainable culture for the future, and to engage in a lively discussion about the workplace of tomorrow.

The U.S. housing market has slowed in response to rapidly rising home prices and a historic mortgage rate shock. The days of the turbocharged pandemic housing market are behind us as uncertainty with interest rates abounds and access to capital is more difficult. This session with Zonda’s Chief Economist will decode the latest data on the housing market, explore demographic shifts, and highlight opportunities and challenges.

In this session, we’ll delve into the current revolution in artificial intelligence and its applications to the building materials industry, from forest management and predictive maintenance to its role in supply chain management and streamlining sales. We will demo several cutting-edge AI models and tools including OpenAI’s Data Analysis model and Midjourney’s image generation model, particularly considering novel security and privacy issues posed by these tools. Additionally, we'll look at the broader AI revolution and how AI will be the major driver of political and economic change in the coming years.

Climate change is a global conversation. Now more than ever, it’s important for people to understand the role of private working forests as a natural climate solution. Private (and to some degree public) working forests have always played critical roles in both the sustainable supply of wood products that Americans rely on every day as well as providing clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and resource protection. Outside of forestry, most people have little knowledge about how forests work, or the benefits they provide. Inside of the forestry industry, there is a new focus on carbon sequestration and storage. The outcome – new developments and approaches for forest management and for making forest management decisions. The goal – our industry works to ensure no negative or unintended consequences in the long-term health and productivity of working forests. Join Brian Luoma to learn more about what we can do to reach this goal.