Contracts. Commitments. Networking. For those at the LMC Expo, there is no guesswork about what comes next. Firsthand market intelligence and meaningful connections filled two days at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for members. The LMC network made preparations for 2027 that can only be secured at the Expo.
The LMC Expo is uniquely tailored to the forest products category, but much like the co-op itself, it has continued to evolve, offering members far more than they may expect. Ahead of the Expo, LMC's Kitchen & Bath team hosted its third annual Designer Training, bringing together designers and industry experts to explore market trends, business strategies, and emerging technologies. Through interactive discussions and peer collaboration, attendees gained actionable insights and fresh perspectives.
LMC’s Components Alliance event brought together component manufacturers from across the LMC network for an exclusive forum dedicated to the challenges and opportunities. Through interactive discussions with peers and engagement with suppliers, attendees exchanged best practices and gained practical insights.
It was a packed house at the Supplier Forum, featuring Culpeper, Roseburg Forest Products, Tolko, Canfor, and C.H. Robinson. Principal team members from each company spoke directly with LMC members about the year ahead, sharing new opportunities, areas for growth and how their partnerships can continue to support members.
The Expo floor opened, bringing members, suppliers, and LMC staff together to turn conversations into opportunities. Members met directly with mill partners from across North America to secure contracts, while LMC staff helped facilitate discussions and ensure dealers left confident in the decisions they made for the year ahead. New and longtime supplier partners strengthened relationships across the show floor. Energy remained high throughout the entirety of the Expo, as members and suppliers connected to discuss contracts, explore programs, and identify new opportunities for their businesses. Throughout those conversations, the LMC team facilitated discussions, answered questions, and provided insight into how LMC programs and partnerships can deliver immediate value to members’ businesses. Conversations among LMC members added another layer of value, providing peer-to-peer insight that can only come from being part of the co-op.
One LMC Member, Paetra Orueta from Blazer Modular Construction in Aumsville, OR said, “In midst of a challenging market, being at the LMC Expo means leaving with critical insights on Forest Products that help us prepare for the year ahead".
The conversations continued beyond the show floor with LMC Roundtables in Technology, HR, and Finance, giving members a more intimate setting to discuss shared challenges, opportunities, and the LMC programs that can best support their businesses. There’s real value in coming together in person to connect, collaborate, and look ahead. Several LMC Committees took the opportunity to meet in-person and discuss priorities for 2027, exchange ideas, and focus on how their work can best support members and their businesses in the year ahead.
The Keynote Presentation, delivered by LMC President and CEO Paul Ryan, took an in-depth look at the successes and milestones LMC and its members achieved throughout the year, while also looking ahead to what’s next. Ryan emphasized that LMC events go beyond business, strengthening the relationships that drive the cooperative forward.
With forest products at the core of the LMC Expo, understanding the market behind the industry was an important part of the conversation. Crystal Gauvin, Senior Economist at Forest Economic Advisors (FEA), provided shareholders with a closer look at the current housing market, what lies ahead, and how data can help guide smarter business decisions. FEA provides economic forecasts, market analysis, and industry data across the forest products sector, helping companies better understand trends and plan for what’s next.
“The Expo is about giving our members the information, connections, and opportunities they need to plan confidently for the year ahead. Bringing LMC members and supplier partners together in one place creates conversations that have real value long after the event ends,” remarked Paul Ryan, LMC CEO and President.
With record attendance, and in the spirit of preparing for the future, Expo attendees were able to register for the 2027 LMC Annual show in Tampa with over 20% of attendants already registered.
