KFIA Meeting Pre-Registration as of 3.25.25
KFIA Annual Meeting
It Starts with a Seed - Celebrating 60 Years
April 1-3, 2025 - Hilton Lexington/Downtown
The 60th Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Forest Industries Association, (KFIA), will be held at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown in Lexington, Kentucky on April 1, 2 & 3, 2025. The theme of the meeting will be It Starts with a Seed - Celebrating 60 Years. Our industry has been through some challenging times and through it all KFIA always continues to work with many partners to address the issues that are facing our members and the hardwood industry. KFIA has been a voice for our membership for 60 years and due to the continued support, we will remain as ready to assist when and where we are needed.
On the agenda for our 60th anniversary meeting will be updates on a wide range of initiatives that have been established to help with both workforce development and market promotion and a number of speakers discussing partnerships that will continue to help the hardwood industry. With the change in administration at the national level we will also be discussing positive change and legislative action taking place at both the state and national level. The meeting will feature a number of activities including a Welcome Reception for early arrivals and a golf outing on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday mornings will include speakers on topics of importance to the industry. On Wednesday a Luncheon and evening Exhibitor Reception will provide plenty of opportunities to meet attendees. The exhibit area will be open throughout the meeting with a number of activities in the area to allow exhibitors to meet with potential contacts.
Please join us for a chance to meet with hardwood industry owners and operators throughout Kentucky and the region.
Room Reservations:
The Hilton Lexington/Downtown (369 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507), call direct on 859-231-9000; you are responsible for making your own room reservations and should do so as soon as possible. Our group rate is $159.00/night.
Our reservation block will be released on March 01, 2025. You may also use this link to make online reservations https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/kfiaa2025annualmeeting/
Exhibitor Registration Form:
The exhibit fee is $475.00 for KFIA Members and $600.00 for non-members. Non-member fee includes a one-year membership to the association. Spaces are assigned on a first come, first serve basis with limited space available.
Additional exhibit staff or spouse can attend for a charge of $100.00 per person.
KFIA is a trade association dedicated to serving and promoting the forest products industry of Kentucky. Founded in 1965, it has over 950 members in the areas of primary and secondary wood industry, supplier and service industries, wholesale, loggers, and landowners. For more information about the association contact Bob Bauer at 502/695-3979.
Tentative Agenda
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
8:00 a.m. - John C. Smith Memorial Golf Scramble Registration
8:30 a.m. - Golf Scramble Tee off – University Club Golf Course
9:00 a.m. - On Site Registration Begins & Exhibitor Set-up
3:00 p.m. - KFIA Board of Directors Meeting
5:30 p.m.- Welcome Reception - Join our Exhibitors as we kick off the meeting with plenty of good food and drinks and learn the Golf Scramble Results in the Exhibit Area.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
7:00 a.m. - Fellowship for Christian Lumbermen’s Meeting
7:30 a.m. - Registration & Breakfast in the Exhibit Area
9:00 a.m. - Opening Session- Welcome
9:15 a.m. - State Legislative and Programs Update - Update on the Kentucky Legislative Session which will address issues related to the forest products industry. Also, KFIA has been involved with several programs that are starting to show results that will impact our industry.
9:30 a.m. - National Legislative Update, Hardwood Promotion - Dana Cole - A lot has happened in Washington DC over the past year and a new administration has taken over along with major changes in the House and Senate which has created hope that
positive change is on the horizon for the wood products industry. Also, there is a lot of excitement being generated by the Hardwood Promotion as it is starting to make a true impact on improving hard wood markets.
10:15 a.m. - Times Change - 60 Years of Progress with KFIA - The wood products industry has made tremendous progress on many fronts through the leadership of KFIA and our many partnerships that have improved our industry for the better.
10:45 a.m. - Partnerships to Improve Logging: How Heaven Hill Distillery and Independent Stave Company are Preserving the Future of Forests- Conor O'Driscoll, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill Distillery and Dominic Stelzer, Sustainability Manager,
Independent Stave Company - Learn about a tremendous partnership that is truly making a difference in educating our logging force and supporting the sustainability of white oak for the future.
11:30 a.m. - KFIA/KY Tree Farm Awards Luncheon - KFIA Business Meeting - Election of Officers & Awards Presentation. There will be presentations for the newly elected KFIA officers and outstanding individuals will be recognized for their achievements in the forest industry community.
2:00 p.m. - SFI/SIC Committee Meeting
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Robinson Lumber Company / Houchens Insurance Group Hospitality Suite - Everyone is welcome to stop by the and visit with Robinson Lumber and Houchens Insurance Group and enjoy some fresh crawfish and shrimp straight from New Orleans and have a cold drink.
5:30 p.m. - Exhibitors Reception in the Exhibit Area - Join our Exhibitors with plenty of good food and drinks and learn about the many services available to the wood industry and don’t forget to bid on your favorite Tree Farm silent auction items.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
8:00 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Welcome – General Session
9:15 a.m. - Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture Partnership - Commissioner Johnathan Shell - KFIA has had a long and improving relationship with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture over the years and our new Agriculture Commissioner plans to continue to work
with our industry and to look at ways we can advance our partnership.
10:00 a.m. - Improving Workforce and Educational Programs for the Wood Industry - Learn about the recently completed videos to reach out to potential workers for the industry and how new funding will help with both promotion and industry education.
10:30 a.m. - Research Initiatives to Improve Markets in Kentucky - The University of Kentucky is moving forward on several funded projects that are designed to improve utilization and marketing of hardwoods to create new markets.
11:00 a.m. - Timber Bridge Program to Support Logging in Kentucky - The University of Kentucky has received funding to supply timber bridges to the logging industry in Kentucky and information will be presented on how the program will be implemented and made available.
11:30 a.m. - Meeting Adjourns
