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Conference Highlights
93rd Pacific Logging Congress
Convention Covers Major Issues
A spirited group of industry personnel representing all western states and
British Columbia met in San Diego, California, from September 15-19, for the
Pacific Logging Congress (PLC) annual conference. Attendance was down slightly
from previous years, according to Rikki Wellman, Executive Director, but
considering the state of our industry and economy in general, the conference
went extremely well.
The 2002 theme of the conference,
"Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", was particularly fitting as speakers and panel
sessions traced how past regulations and cutting restrictions have shaped our
highly regulated industry today. Amongst a host of speakers was well-known
industry consultant, John Manz, who encouraged participants to "Compete to Win"
in a panel session that offered a number of strategies for success.
And Bruce Vincent, ex-logger and
president of the League of Rural Voters, explained the importance of getting
involved in the political process if loggers and mill operators hope to remain
employed in the forest industry. The 93rd Annual PLC conference ended on a
particularly upbeat note — a look at the shift in the public’s opinion toward a
more managed forestland after this year’s large number of devastating fires.
Years of successfully fighting forest fires have left the woods with a large and
growing fuel load.
Now when fires do occur, they can
be devastating both to public forestland and private property. There was an
emphasis at the PLC that managing and thinning public forestland will require
experienced loggers. The 94th Annual PLC convention will take place on the Big
Island of Hawaii from November 3-5, 2003. For more information, call 425-413-
2808 or check the website
www.pacificloggingcongress.com
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American Logger Council
(ALC)
"United We Stand -
Partnerships for Progress" was the theme for the 8th annual meeting of The
American Logger's Council, held Sept. 25-28th in Duluth, Minn. Over 220
people registered for the event and folks traveled from 22 states and as
far away as New Zealand, Finland and Canada to attend. Outgoing president
Jerry Birchem of Britt, Minn., handed over the reins to new President, Bob
Luoto of Carlton, Ore., a member of Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc.
The first Associate Member
Trade Show displayed some of the latest products and technology available
in the logging industry. During the busy program, the membership resolved
to support President Bush's Healthy Forest Initiative and also raised
$8,100 at the Log a Load for Kids golf tournament, benefiting children's
hospitals across the U.S. Featured speakers included: Bruce Vincent,
president of the League of Rural Voters, president of Provider Pals and
president of the Alliance for America Foundation; Bob Stallmasn, president
of the American Farm Bureau Federation; Jim Swearingen, general manager of
the Minnesota Ore Operations for United States Steel Corporation.
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