Schedule

Great networking opportunity to forge business-to-business connections before WOW starts. Meet face-to-face briefly (5-10 minutes) with potential new business partners and schedule follow-up meetings later during convention. For those who wish to purchase a table for this event please contact mary@iwpawood.org.

This is the hub for spouses and guests to gather and socialize before attending the President's Opening Reception.

Join us for our 64th World of Wood kick-off event! Come enjoy light food and cocktails as you reconnect and network.

IWPA President Kenny MacMaster, Vice President of Argo Fine Imports, and Cindy Squires, Executive Director of the International Wood Products Association, welcome attendees and provide an update on IWPA activities and the state of the association.

Andy Johnson, Assistant Editor of the Hardwood Market Report and HMR’s Import Newsletter, will present the latest data on global trade in wood products and share his views on critical trends by region and product.

Michael Schultz, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for retailer Floor & Decor, will be joined by Griff Lynch, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority to share insights and experiences from Floor & Decor’s successful initiative to scale up its national distribution.

Companies involved in the international wood products supply chain must successfully navigate shifting agreements, laws, and regulations, and this has only been accelerated in the current era of trade reform. This panel will arm attendees with the latest information from key policymakers and thought leaders on critical developments as Lauren Stowe, Director of Environmental and Natural Resources for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative discuss aspects of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement affecting trade in wood products, Dorothy Wayson, National Policy Manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Inspection Service’s Lacey Act Program addresses proposals to reduce the regulatory burden of the Lacey Act, and Chip Barber, Director of the Forest Legality Initiative and Senior Biodiversity Advisor for the World Resources Institute offers his perspective on state, national, and international efforts to combat deforestation. Speakers Include: TBA

Attorney Jeff Grimson of the law firm Mowry & Grimson will arm attendees with all information about the ongoing trade cases on plywood, multilayered wood flooring, wooden cabinets, and moulding as well as enforcement of the Enforce and Protect Act as it impacts importation of wood products.  As one of the country’s foremost experts on customs classification, Laurel Duvall, National Import Specialist at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will share her insights on common classification mistakes that many importers make. 

Industry leaders from Gabon, Ghana, and Mexico will share the latest developments that wood products producers in their countries and regions are implementing to meet their customers’ needs with respect to traceability and sustainability.
• Françoise Van de Ven, Union des Forestiers Industriels du Gabon et Aménagiste (Remote)
• Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Ghana Forestry Commission (GFC)
• Alberto Lerin Mestas, Imexfor – Mexico’s National Association of Importers & Exporters of Forest Products
• Ruth Nogueron, World Resources Institute

More details to come later

T-shirts will be distributed in the lobby.

Why Should I Choose You? Presented by Don Cooper, The Sales Heretic™
The wood products marketplace is more competitive—and more challenging—than ever before. How do you stand out among the competition? And how do you persuade a buyer to choose you over them?

• Moving products to and through ports of entry as quickly as possible helps wood products shippers avoid costly delays. Commissioner Rebecca Dye of the Federal Maritime Commission will discuss her proposal to reduce the proliferation of instances of cargo detention and demurrage while Tyrone Jones of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will discuss steps shippers can take to avoid unnecessary inspections and expedite them when they occur. Victoria Griffis of FMS Logistics will also discuss ways to move wood products faster and more efficiently.
• Additional speakers TBA

How to gain a massive edge in a tough marketplace-The sale doesn’t typically go to the best product or service, the biggest brand name or the lowest price. It typically goes to the best salesperson. And that person can be you.

Speakers Include: TBD -

Come enjoy a nice evening at Old Fort Jackson- the oldest fort in Georgia located just down the river from the Historic Savannah. This memorable outdoor party is the last signature event of WOW 2020.Come close out another informative and successful networking convention along colleagues and new business partners.Transportation is provided from and back to the hotel.Please meet in the lobby at 6:30pm. We recommend casual attire with a light sweater.