March 07, 2023

Against the Grain: Spring Has Sprung at NAWLA

Steve Rustja headshot.png

As the saying goes ‘April showers bring May flowers,’ NAWLA’s saying may just as well be that ‘March’s Leadership Summit means Regional Meetings are not far from it.’ That could not be truer as many of us have started packing our bags to join NAWLA in Palm Desert for this year’s Leadership Summit. This event is a special gathering for industry executives and leaders – open to members and non-members alike.

As the Chair of the Board of Directors, I have the honor to welcome Leadership Summit attendees and guests during our summit luncheon where I will be celebrating and recognizing my predecessor, Bill Price’s service to NAWLA, and a handing out the John J. Mulrooney Award to an industry legend, Jonathan E. Martin, with our friends at RoyOMartin.

Each year, the educational sessions available are inspiring of both ideas and hearty discussion that follows for weeks even months after the summit. This year, we are fortunate to have secured an incredible line-up of speakers as well as perfect timing for the event with the BNP Paribas Open in the area at the same time. My wife, Elizabeth and I are both tennis fans and look forward to attending the tournament in Indian Wells after the event ends on the 14^th. Come join us if you’ll be there!

As I mentioned in my first post, the Regional Meetings at NAWLA provide a local experience for connection. I’m excited to share that the Regional Meetings for Montréal, Vancouver, Southeast, Minneapolis and Northeast have been scheduled and the dates for those events are:

Montréal Regional Meeting – Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Vancouver Regional Meeting – Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Southeast Regional Meeting – Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Minneapolis Regional Meeting – Thursday, August 17, 2023
Northeast Regional Meeting – Wednesday, September 20, 2023

NAWLA is fortunate to collaborate with the Montréal Wood Convention, our own Spring Wood Basics course and the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) to schedule our Montreal, Vancouver and Northeast Regional Meetings and another testament that NAWLA is much more than our Traders Market event.

For those of you attending our Leadership Summit or Regional Meetings, I look forward to see you there and as a reminder, please don’t hesitate to stop me and say hello.

Cheers!

Steve Rustja
Vice President – Trading | Weston Forest Products
2023 NAWLA Chair

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