Save a Buck and Register for Convention Now

I shot my first deer when I was 12 years old. I got home from school, and my dad told me he had wounded a deer and needed my help finding it. We headed out to our hunting property, Mt. Baldy, in southern Alberta.

My dad positioned me on a ridge and told me to shoot any deer with four points, eight for you Southerners, that popped up from the ravine he was walking down. A few minutes later, a four-point buck appeared. I knelt, aimed, and shot. The buck dropped. I called out to my dad, and he started hurrying back up.

But as he climbed, he spooked another deer, which bolted along the side of the ridge. I had set my gun down and didn’t shoot it. When my dad reached me, he checked the buck I shot, and we realized it hadn’t been wounded; it was a completely different deer.

We spent the rest of the night searching for my dad’s wounded buck, but we never found it.

The moral of the story? Sometimes, trying to save a buck the wrong way costs you more time and effort.
NHLA is at a pivotal moment. We are seeing the industry change; independent operators are disappearing, and consolidation is making mills larger, faster, and more automated. We’ve watched this happen in other industries, wood preserving, softwood, and pulp/paper.

Generational change is also a factor. Fewer old-school mill owners are attending conventions, replaced by young mid-level managers. For them, a business trip means time away from work, family, and activities. Weekends are sacred now, filled with family obligations.

But that doesn’t mean the NHLA Convention has lost its value. It’s still the best place to build partnerships, explore solutions, and find cost savings, all in one place. Instead of spending on multiple trips, you can meet suppliers, see customers, and learn about industry trends at the NHLA Convention.

Early bird registration is open until June 13, offering you the lowest rates for the NHLA Convention. Register by this date to secure your spot for just $700 for members ($475 for spouses). After June 13, prices increase to $750 for members ($525 for spouses).

Our Flexible Cancellation Policy ensures you can register with confidence:

• Full Refund: Cancellations made before August 19, 2025.
• 50% Refund: Cancellations between August 19 and September 1, 2025.
• No Refund: Cancellations after September 1, 2025.

When times are tight, saving money is essential, but investing wisely is even more critical. Registering early for the NHLA Convention is a way to do both. Don’t miss the chance to strengthen your network, discover new opportunities, and ensure you’re getting the most for your time and money.

So, instead of waiting until the last minute, plan ahead, talk to your customers and suppliers, and ensure they are part of the experience. Let’s make this year’s convention a success—together.

Saving a Buck is one common ground we all agree on, don’t let it go to waste.  

Learn more about the 2025 NHLA Convention & Exhibit Showcase

Register for the 2025 NHLA Convention & Exhibit Showcase — Early Bird Closes June 13th!

Dallin Brooks
NHLA Executive Director
[email protected] | 901-377-0182