“80 Years – Evergreen and Growing” is the theme for the 80th Annual Oregon Logging Conference. Rick Kriege, 2018 OLC president, invites the public to attend the three-day event. The indoor/outdoor equipment show takes place Feb. 22 to 24 at the Lane County Convention Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, Ore.
“The Oregon Logging Conference is packed with unique opportunities for forestry professionals to network and learn more about their trade,” Kriege said. “The 2018 conference will certainly live up to its reputation as being the best logging, construction, trucking and heavy equipment show west of the Mississippi,” he added.
The expo features equipment and products on display highlighting the cutting-edge technology and innovation in forestry and biomass equipment. Seminars, hands-on workshops and panel discussions will cover a variety of topics including steep slope logging; new salmon, steelhead, and bull trout rules; best management practices; technology in product design of forestry equipment; and rebranding an industry.
OLC Presidential Address
Kriege, of Rick Kriege Logging LLC in Prineville, Ore., will address the 80th annual gathering during the breakfast being held Feb. 22. The breakfast takes place in the Wheeler Pavilion from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Kriege will talk about the theme of this year's conference, from the very first Oregon Logging Conference, held in August 1939 in Eugene, Ore., to the modern-day event. He will focus on attracting a new generation of workers to the industry.
“It is up to us to reach out to the younger generation of workers and get them engaged,” Kriege said. “We need to let them know that we have jobs available now, that we will provide the training. With or without college,” Kreige added, “they can still have a career in our industry.”
Also, part of the OLC breakfasts on both Feb. 22 and 23 will be a special slide show highlighting the 80 years of the Oregon Logging Conference. The history slide show will showcase the early years of the OLC — when it was known as the Willamette Valley Logging Conference — founding leaders, and 80 years of OLC presidents. There also are plans to develop an 80th OLC Anniversary book from the photos in the presentation, as well as those to be taken at the 2018 Conference.
Kriege also will remind those who attend, of the opportunities to visit with equipment dealers and manufacturers to learn about the latest technology in equipment and attend panels and seminar sessions where you earn professional logger credits.
Conference Seminars, Panel Discussions
- Seminars on the Oregon and Washington Forest Practices Acts including policy changes and logging in the black — post burn.
- Hands-on training seminars on topics such as log defects; Freightliner vocational trucks and emission requirements; and logging and cutting with winch assist and tether systems.
- Panel discussions and business discussions on better ideas and new logging technology; mass timber; rebranding an industry; commercial thinning; and finding your next foreman.
These educational opportunities are valuable to forestry professionals, who earn professional logger credits while networking and exchanging ideas. (see schedule for specific dates and times, and pro logger credit details)
Keynote Speaker
Feb. 22. 2018
- Kathy Abusow, president and CEO of Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.
Guest Speakers
Feb. 22, guest speakers are:
- Jeff Wimer, president of Pacific Logging Congress. Wimer will discuss details of the upcoming PLC Live in the Woods Show, taking place in September on the Oregon State University Forest.
- Oregon State University Forestry Program Update.
Education
- Future Forestry Workers Career Day, more than 500 students from 20 high schools in Oregon will participate Feb. 23.
- Elementary school education tours of the Oregon Logging Conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.
- High School Forestry Skills Exhibition will take place on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Oregon Logging Conference Foundation Auction — proceeds for educational activities. Items will be auctioned on the mornings of Feb. 22 and 23. Jamie Yraguen of Basco Logging is the auctioneer.
For a complete list of auction items, visit oregonloggingconference.com.
Other Activities
- Log Loader Competition — Feb. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Feb. 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The event is sponsored by Triad Machinery and Link-Belt;
- Chainsaw wood carvers Ryan Anderson and Jay Peppard — Feb. 22 and 23, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Feb. 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event will take place in the outside demonstration area;
- 80th Annual OLC Dinner and Dance — Feb. 23, at 7:00 p.m.;
- Ladies Desserts for Dreams — charity event for St. Charles Hospice. Feb. 23 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event will be held at the Eugene Hilton; and
- Oregon Women in Timber Dinner and Auction — proceeds to benefit Talk About Trees educational program, Feb. 21, doors open at 4 p.m. The dinner and auction will be held in Playwrights Hall at the Eugene Hilton.
The full schedule of events at the 80th Annual Oregon Logging Conference is available online at oregonlogging conference.com.
This story also appears on Forestry Equipment Guide.
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