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SUNY ESF
New England Kiln Drying Association

2025 Spring Meeting

May 14 - 15 | Allentown/Bethlehem, PA

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 Martin Guitar.

Accommodation

The accommodations for the meeting are at the Holiday Inn, Allentown, PA.

Direction: The Holiday Inn, 4325 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103 is conveniently located about 25 minutes from Martin Guitar. Please call the hotel directly on 610-366-1600 by April 15 for our special NEKDA rate for overnight rooms of $109/night. Be sure to note specifically that you are with NEKDA group. Also, note that there are several hotels close by. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in May!

Registration

Please mail your pre-registration form and check directly to Bill Smith, wbsmith@esf.edu (by May 15). There is $20 per person surcharge for late registration.

Register

Wednesday | May 14

We start with several interesting nearby tours of:

 Tour participants should bring their own safety glasses and wear close-toe shoes. No hardhats required.

510 Sycamore St., Nazareth, PA 18064

From I-80 and points North take Route 33 South, or from I-78, US 22 and points South take Route 33 North, to PA Route 191 (Stockertown exit). Follow Route 191 South (westerly direction) into Nazareth.

Turn right onto Rose Inn Ave. Proceed to Beil Ave and turn left. The Martin Factory is on the corner of Beil Ave. and Sycamore St.

Holiday Inn

Informal and practical instruction and discussion on such things as the basic of kiln operation, maintenance, stacking, DH, conventional, and high-temperature drying, stain and discoloration, scheduling, changing species, wood-moisture fundamentals, kiln loading and baffling, moisture meters, restarting kilns, drying degrade, etc. Present your unique challenges, inquiries, and resolutions. Kindly indicate any specific topics of interest for discussion at the clinic on your registration form.

Thursday | May 15

Technical Session Topics

Our final Technical Presentation Topics and Speakers are currently being confirmed.

  • The Real American Hardwood Coalition - Amy Shields, AHUG
  • Managing Your Facility for Quality - Brian Hughes, Wagner Lumber
  • Meeting the Challenge - 5 Elements to Success, Tom Graber
  • Fundamentals of Quality Lumber Drying - Bill Smith, SUNY ESF
  • Moisture Determination

Check back for final program details.