Webinars: A Modern Tool for Industry Advocacy

In the 1960s and ’70s, if I wanted to learn more about a particular topic, I would go to our bookshelf and pull out the best resource available, our complete set of World Book Encyclopedias. I’d search the corresponding volume to find in-depth articles and pictures on almost any subject. Of course, we have many more options to access real-time information on nearly any imaginable topic today.

One of these modern “encyclopedias” is the webinar, a virtual town hall-style meeting that shares valuable knowledge on specific topics. Webinars can be watched live, allowing participants to engage with presenters, or viewed later from a growing on-demand library.

NHLA regularly hosts webinars, often twice a month, on topics critical to the hardwood industry, free to our members. These sessions aren’t just educational, they’re strategic tools for advocacy. By sharing insights, data, and policy updates, our webinars help members stay informed and empowered to represent and protect their interests in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Our Chief Inspector, Dana Spessert, has presented on topics like Understanding Statistical Process Control ($PC), Introduction to North American Hardwoods, and the details of the Rules Change process. NHLA staff and guest experts have covered everything from Controlling Lumber Stain to The Future of Structural Hardwoods. These webinars equip members with the knowledge they need to elevate quality, improve operations, and strengthen their voice in the market.

We also address issues with wide-reaching advocacy implications, such as EU Deforestation Legislation, Trends in Domestic Furniture, and the Hardwood Market Outlook. These sessions help members stay ahead of regulatory shifts and economic trends that directly affect their businesses. In this way, education becomes advocacy; it empowers our members to navigate challenges and speak up for the hardwood industry with confidence and credibility.

Thanks to our webinar archive, members can continue learning from industry leaders like the late Gene Wengert, known to many as “The Wood Doctor.” His webinars, on topics ranging from Proper Air and Shed Drying to Drying Oak, remain among our most-viewed resources, a testament to the lasting value of shared expertise.

You can register for upcoming webinars or explore past recordings anytime at nhla.com under the Education tab. Topics on the horizon include AI Grading, Biophilic Design, Explaining Carbon, and Automation and Optimization. We encourage members to let us know what topics matter most—your feedback helps us ensure that our webinars reflect the industry’s current concerns and future direction.

At my age, I’ve never been known for my tech skills. I type with two fingers, text with one, and frequently holler for one of my boys to rescue me from whatever computer mess I’ve created. But participating in these webinars is a new trick this old dog is proud to have learned. I encourage all our members to take advantage of this benefit. Because what you know and how you use that knowledge can help all of us advocate for a stronger, more stable hardwood industry.

Bucky Pescaglia
NHLA Chairman | Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co., Inc.