MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

July 14, 2020 – Vancouver – For the past 77 years, the TLA’s Annual Convention + Trade Show has been a much anticipated and highly regarded event for the forest industry. It provides an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with our industry colleagues, hear from government leaders, spend time together and share some laughs.

We are a resilient industry that has experienced many challenges over many decades and we’re confident that we will recover from the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, in consideration of the restrictions imposed by the Provincial Health Officer and future uncertainty, the Board of Directors has made the very difficult and unprecedented decision to cancel the 2021 Convention + Trade Show. Our greatest priority is to protect the health and safety of TLA members, their families and employees along with our staff and communities across the province.

We recognize there is a great need for us to remain connected and continue networking, but that it will be different for all of us in the foreseeable future. TLA staff are working diligently towards providing alternative online options for the:

  • annual general meeting
  • live and silent auctions
  • guest speakers and presentations

Additionally, once restrictions are lifted in the new year, we will explore options for offering an enhanced golf tournament to include guest speakers and smaller networking events that will allow us to be together again. This fall, we will share the details of these solutions once they have been formalized.

To ensure we continue providing the value you’ve come to expect from the TLA, we will be sending out a membership survey next week so we can hear directly from you about what you would like us to provide in the absence of the convention, such as webinars, as well as any topics that would help your business be successful.

We would sincerely like to thank all of our members, sponsors, and vendors who have continued to support the TLA over the years and during this extraordinary time.

As always, our advocacy efforts continue on your behalf. We are in regular communication with government leaders to lobby and provide input on the issues that are most important to our members.

We would like to extend our best wishes to all of our members, their families and employees for a healthy and safe remainder of the year. We look forward to seeing you again as soon as is permitted.

Sincerely,
Bob Brash
Executive Director