SUNY ESF
New England Kiln Drying Association
2024 Spring Meeting
New England Kiln Drying Association (NEKDA) Officers and Board of Directors have put together an excellent meeting program with important and informative topics and opportunities for kiln operators and managers, including an interesting tour of:
- Lashway Lumber, Williamsburg, MA
- Ponders Hollow Custom Wood Flooring & Millwork, Westfield, MA
- Mill River Slabworks, Westfield, MA
The Hotel Northampton is conveniently located 1/2 mile off of I-91 on 36 King Street (also route 5, MA route 10). Our NEKDA last met at this historic hotel in spring 1988, and we think everyone will enjoy the opportunity to again meet here in Northampton, MA, the former home of President Calvin Coolidge. Please call the hotel directly at 413-584-3100 by April 22 for our special NEKDA rate for overnight rooms of $16.99 (also, note that there are a few other hotels close nearby). We are looking forward to seeing everyone in May in Massachusetts!
Registration
Please mail your Registration Form and check directly to Bill Smith, wbsmith@esf.edu. All tour participants are required to pre-register.
Program
Wednesday Afternoon | May 8
Our Technical Presentation Topics include:
- iDry Vacuum Kilns, Paul Grenier and Jim Parker, iDry
- Best Marketing of High-Quality Lumber, Chris Castano, Main Woods
- Back to Basics - Fundamentals of Lumber Drying, Bill Smith
- Niche Lumber Markets - Slabs, Jamie Potvin and Larry Lashway, Ponders Hollow
Thursday | May 9
- Steam Utilization and Management, Jim Davis and Aaron Frechette, FW Webb Co.
- The NEKDA Kiln Operator's Clinic - basic and advanced drying
Questions? Contact Us.
Bill Smith
Executive Director
wbsmith@esf.edu
315-470-6832