In the forest products industry, the challenges facing one business rarely stop at its doorstep. Decisions in the woods affect transportation, changes at the mill influence suppliers, and developments in Washington can have implications across the supply chain. Making time to connect with others in the industry helps put those challenges – and opportunities – in perspective.

FRA’s national and regional meetings provide an important opportunity to step away from daily demands, hear different viewpoints, and return with ideas that can benefit your business. As we plan our 2027 meetings, our focus is on delivering strong programming, relevant content, and meaningful opportunities to connect with peers.

Content That Connects to Your Business

A valuable meeting should leave attendees able to answer two questions: What did I learn that I didn’t know before, and how can I apply it to my business?

That is a guiding priority as FRA develops its 2027 programming. Feedback from meeting participants is helping shape future topics and identify speakers who can bring practical experience, fresh perspectives, and useful insights to the discussion.

From workforce and transportation challenges to markets, safety, and federal policy, the issues facing our members are interconnected. Strong programming helps attendees understand not only what is happening, but what it could mean for their operations and the businesses they work with.

Connections Across the Supply Chain

Some of the most valuable conversations at an FRA meeting happen between sessions. A discussion over coffee may introduce a different approach to a shared problem. A question during a committee meeting may reveal an opportunity for collaboration. A conversation at a reception may begin a working relationship that continues long after the meeting ends.

FRA brings together people whose businesses depend on different parts of the same supply chain. Connecting with landowners, timber harvesters, haulers, wood suppliers, mill representatives, and service providers helps members better understand one another’s priorities and constraints. Those relationships support stronger communication and more informed decisions.

National Perspective, Regional Relevance

National and regional meetings offer complementary value. National meetings bring members together across geographic boundaries to explore broader industry trends, policy priorities, and shared challenges.

Regional meetings bring the discussion closer to home, providing opportunities to examine local operating conditions, market developments, and issues affecting nearby businesses. They also help members build and maintain relationships with the people they work alongside throughout the year.

Participating in both can connect the bigger picture with the realities of your day-to-day operations.

Meeting Sponsorship Makes a Difference

Meeting sponsorship helps FRA deliver the programming and networking opportunities that make these gatherings valuable. Sponsor support helps offset meeting costs and sustain opportunities for members to learn, exchange ideas, and build relationships across the wood supply chain.

For sponsoring organizations, it is also an opportunity to raise their visibility among industry peers, strengthen relationships with customers and business partners, and demonstrate their commitment to the forest products community. National meetings offer opportunities to connect across regions, while regional meetings bring sponsors closer to the businesses and operating issues in their local markets.

As you plan your 2027 participation, please consider including meeting sponsorship in your budget. Whether you are a longtime supporter or exploring sponsorship for the first time, contact the FRA team to discuss available opportunities and find an option that fits your organization’s goals. We appreciate the sponsors whose support helps make our meetings possible.

Bring Your Perspective to the Table

The strength of FRA’s meetings depends on the members who participate. Your questions, experience, and ideas make the discussions more useful for everyone. As we look toward the new year, make FRA’s national and regional meetings part of your calendar. Encourage a colleague or emerging leader to join you, suggest a topic or speaker, and come ready to contribute.

The goal is simple: leave with a new connection, a clearer understanding of an industry issue, and an idea you can put to work. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for FRA 2027 Meetings

FRA 2027 Joint Annual and Southwide Region Spring Meeting  – May 3-5, Wyndham Grand Hotel, Clearwater Beach, FL

FRA 2027 Western Region Spring Meeting – April 28 -29, Canyonville, OR

FRA 2027 Fall Meeting and Legislative Fly-In – September 21 -23, Washington, DC

FRA 2027 Western Region Fall Meeting– October 19-21, Coeur d’Alene, ID

FRA 2027 Lake States Region Fall Meeting– October 20-21

FRA 2027 Northeastern Region Fall Forum– First Thursday of the month, October through April, Brewer, Maine