An estimated 30,000 architects, designers, and others affiliated with the design profession descended upon Orlando for this year’s
Conference and Exposition of the American Institute of Architects, held April 27-29 at the Orange County Convention Center. For the second year in a row, NELMA was integrated into the overall Re-Think Wood space, a continued outreach program funded by the Softwood Lumber Board. NELMA, along with the Southern Forest Products Association, the Western Wood Products Association, and the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, added to the broader “Tall Wood Building” message of the Re-Think Campaign to truly offer visitors a one-stop shop for wood information.
NELMA’s space included 3 small panels that showcased design-trending Eastern White Pine profiles; shiplap, edge & center bead, and v-groove patterns. Per usual, the Grade Swatch and Pattern booklet were popular reference items for visitors. As an added draw, NELMA continued its “Grow Your Own Building” side campaign for architects, offering seedling cups that began with last fall’s success at the Architecture Boston event.
“This will continue to be a critical decision-making group necessary to engage to ensure that
wood is top of mind when buildings are designed,” stated Jeff Easterling, NELMA President. “The outreach to AIA members compliments NELMA’s architecture student design awards for full marketing coverage of the profession.”
NELMA would like to thank the Softwood Lumber Board for their continued financial support of softwood lumber’s presence at large trade show events such as AIA.
