The Virginia Forest Products Association is a non-profit, non-governmental, privately supported association of individuals, firms, and corporations having an interest in the Commonwealth's lumber and wood products industry.

-- OBJECTIVES --

  • Create a better understanding of the importance of the lumber and wood products industry to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  • Encourage and promote all phases of securing and maintaining our timber and log supply.
  • Encourage and promote more profitable production and distribution of our native lumber and wood products.
  • Provide a collective voice regarding governmental programs and legislation that affects the lumber and wood products industry.

 
  • Disseminate information about new and latest markets for lumber and wood products.
  • Disseminate information about machinery, methods, laws etc. that affect or apply to the lumber and wood products industry.
  • Conduct educational programs to help all persons engaged in or associated  with the lumber and wood products industry to be more efficient and effective.

 

 
-- PROGRAMS --

The Virginia Forest Products Association provides its members with numerous services to help accomplish its objectives. The major ones are described below.

Legislative and Governmental Programs

The association provides input concerning legislation affecting our industry to both the state General Assembly and our Federal legislators in Washington, DC. VFPA also furnishes information to various state and federal regulatory agencies to help them better understand the problems and characteristics of our industry. The Association serves on various governmental advisory boards to enable the wood products industry's "voice" to be heard.
Wood Products Political Action Committee - The only statewide PAC designed for the forest products industry, the WOOD PAC provides support to the key legislators for our industry, increasing he effectiveness of our overall legislative program. 

Member Communications

News Letter - VFPA's monthly publication contains many items of timely importance to the industry in the area. Some of the information includes new product development & techniques, legislative & regulatory activities, classifieds ads, upcoming meetings and short courses, economic forecasts, and general news affecting the Commonwealth's lumber & wood products industry.
Member Liaison - In an effort to provide more direct communications with the industry, the Association meets with the industry in their place of work through visits and attendance at other industry meetings.
Other - The Association, through mailings and use of the telephone, stays in constant touch with the membership, and is always readily available to answer member questions.

Major Meetings

Annual Convention - Normally held in early February, the Annual Convention includes the yearly "business meeting" of the Association, and an opportunity for fellowship and a personal exchange of ideas between members. The meeting also presents an educational program with subjects of specific interest to industry personnel.

Summer conference - Normally held in July or September, the Summer Conference embraces many of the same features as the Annual convention, but is usually located at one of the fine resort facilities located in Virginia.

East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition - Held biennially in May on even-numbered years, the Exposition is co-sponsored by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Extension Division. The purpose of the show is to introduce wood industry personnel to the latest developments in harvesting and manufacturing equipment, supplies, and services. Specifically, it provides an opportunity for operators to:
  • See new equipment exhibited and operated
  • Talk with manufacturers' representatives about equipment, service, and needs.
  • Make comparisons between their equipment and new equipment being offered in order to increase the efficiency of their operations and improve product quality.

EXPO Richmond is one of the largest shows of its type in the country, and in 1998 attracted 363 exhibiting companies and over 11,000 visitors from 40 states in the U.S. and several foreign countries. 

Lumber & Wood Products promotion

Export Activities - Working closely with the Office of International Marketing of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Servies, the Association will continue to encourage the expansion of the Virginia wood products market through the promotion of wood and wood products exporting to foreign countries.
Membership Directroy & Buyers Guide - The Directory is distributed to all members, associated industries, and lumber and wood product buyers throughout the market area. Much information is included about each member's operation, including equipment, products produced, sizes cut, plant locatiion, species cut, shipping facilities, etc. This information is databased in the Association's computers for easy retrieval. Also included is an Associate Members section, listing each Associate member with the product or service they provide, and a detailed listing of each associate member classified by service category. The Membership Directory is updated and distributed every two years.

Public Relations

The Association actively promotes the importance of the wood products industry to the public in general. Activities include special public relations programs, youth projects, promotion of National Forest Products Week, input regarding educational institutions, and general press relations as related to the wood products industry.

Educational Activities

Short Courses & Seminars - Because trained and competent workers make up our industry's most valuable asset, VFPA's continuing education courses have been a longstanding component of its program of work. Either alone or in cooperation with different organizations or groups, VFPA has sponsored such diverse courses as lumber grading, maintenance and lumber drying. Over 2,200 wood industry personnel have attended these courses over the years