Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in the Hardwood Federation Fly-In in Washington, D.C. It’s an event that brings industry leaders together to meet with lawmakers, share the priorities of the hardwood industry, and help ensure our voice is heard where it matters most.
I spent the day with Hardwood Federation and NWFA members from California and Washington, meeting with nine congressional offices across both the House and Senate. Every meeting was a chance to talk about the challenges our industry is facing and the important role hardwood businesses play in communities across the country.
This year’s conversations centered around three priorities: economic relief for hardwood processors, increased truck weights on federal highways to improve the transportation of logs and timber, and Farm Bill programs that support wood innovation and wood energy initiatives. While each office had a different perspective, our goal remained the same. We wanted policymakers to hear directly from the people whose businesses and employees are affected by these decisions.
One of the things that stood out to me was how well organized and respected the Hardwood Federation has become in Washington. Dana Cole and her team do an outstanding job preparing participants, coordinating meetings, and making sure our industry’s message is clear and consistent. They give our industry the opportunity to speak with one voice, and that carries far more weight than any one company or organization could on its own.
This wasn’t my first Hardwood Federation Fly-In, but it served as another reminder of why this work matters. Building relationships with lawmakers takes time, and our industry’s voice is strongest when we continue showing up and sharing our story. Spending the day on Capitol Hill reinforced just how important those conversations are for the future of hardwood.
Many of the issues being discussed in Washington have a direct impact on wood flooring manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and the entire hardwood supply chain. Having a seat at the table is important, and the Hardwood Federation makes sure our industry has one.
Our partnership with the Hardwood Federation helps ensure the voice of the wood flooring industry is represented alongside the broader hardwood community. Even if you’ve never attended the Fly-In, you benefit from the relationships being built and the work being done to protect and strengthen our industry. It’s one of the many reasons NWFA is proud to support the Hardwood Federation and encourage member involvement.
If you’ve ever thought about attending the Fly-In, I hope you’ll consider it. Whether you’ve been in the industry for five years or fifty, there is something powerful about sitting across the table from your elected officials and sharing your perspective. It gives you a better understanding of how policy affects our businesses and why it’s important for our industry to have a voice in Washington.
The Hardwood Federation continues to make a difference for our industry every day. Their work isn’t defined by a single event each year. It’s built through relationships, consistent advocacy, and showing up when our industry needs to be heard. That’s what makes the Fly-In matter.
