Western Hardwood annual convention to be held August 22-24
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PORTLAND, Ore. - The Western Hardwood Association, a resource for growing sustainable and profitable Western hardwood, is holding its annual convention August 22-24 at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon.
 
The convention provides a great opportunity for producers, wholesalers, distributors, importers/exporters and others who supply goods and services to the Western hardwood industry to establish relationships and develop future business.
 
 
Attendees can win quilted Western maple period desk crafted by renowned personality Tommy Mac, who is also keynoting the event. The desk is valued at $25,000.
 
Keynote speaker Tommy Mac
 
Carpenter, construction worker, craftsman, educator, writer/producer, TV personality – Tommy MacDonald has worn all these hats with skill and attitude and boisterous success. From the rough and tumble Dorchester section of Boston, Tommy was always fixing or building something. From an early fascination with tools, to a voc-tech high school, a 4-year union carpentry apprenticeship program, to 15 years as a journeyman carpenter, Tommy never strayed too far from his tool box. Later, Tommy was accepted at the North Bennet Street School, an internationally renowned craft and trade school, where he honed and refined his native woodworking skills while learning the art of fine furniture making. His curious nature and innate attention to detail led him to carefully research the technical intricacies and fascinating provenances of the historical pieces that inspired his works. It also led to a chance meeting with Bob Vila who appreciated both Tommy’s exceptional craftsmanship and his charismatic presence and featured Tommy and his work on national TV in his Colonial Home project.
 
Tommy’s big break came in 2009 when he hit the airwaves nationally as host/writer/executive producer of WGBH’s new television series, Rough Cut – Woodworking with Tommy Mac. The show was an instant success accruing multiple Emmy Nominations and several Telly Awards, including a Silver, along the way. Tommy can often be found developing and perfecting woodworking tools with Pony Tools, Inc. and educating children across North America as the Celebrity Spokesperson of the Hardwood Forest Foundation.
 
Proceeds from the Tommy Mac desk will go into the scholarship foundation. This year two Oregon State University students were awarded $2500 each in scholarships. They will be acknowledged at the Wednesday night dinner. 
 

AGENDA

Tuesday, August 22nd:
 
6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m Salmon Fishing Derby Buoy 10 in Astoria, OR
 
Wednesday, August 23rd:
 
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration & Member Showcase World Forestry Center
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Mike Snow - AHEC American Hardwood Exports: Trends and Future Opportunities
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Break
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Scholarship Award
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Dana Spessert - NHLA NHLA Industry Update and Rules Changes Proposed
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tommy Mac Keynote speaker
12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch Lunch & Member Showcase Meet Tommy
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Dana Cole Hardwood Federation What's Happening in DC: An Update from the Hardwood Federation
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Marin Palmer USFS PNW Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Hardwood inventory, 2016
4:00: p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Break
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Reception, Dinner, Raffle, Auction BridgePort BrewPub
 
Thursday, August 24th:
7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Golf Tournament & BBQ Lunch Langdon Farms Golf Club
 

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About the author
Robert Dalheim

Robert Dalheim is an editor at the Woodworking Network. Along with publishing online news articles, he writes feature stories for the FDMC print publication. He can be reached at [email protected].