June 2026

Savannah Sets the Stage for EXPO 2027
Earlier this year I had the chance to spend some time in Savannah, and one moment has stayed with me. Standing near the riverfront, watching massive container ships navigate the Savannah River with a quiet, unhurried confidence, it reminded me that commerce has its own kind of energy. You can feel it in that city. It moves.

Last month I wrote about why Savannah made sense for SFPA’s 39th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition. The working forests, the port, the poetry of returning the show to the Deep South. I meant every word. But spending time there in person added something the statistics and the geography can't fully capture. This is a city that has been in the business of moving goods for a very long time, and it shows. Savannah doesn't just host commerce. It lives it.

That felt worth saying again, because it connects directly to where we want to take EXPO.

The theme is Industry in Motion, and as we move deeper into planning, that phrase is becoming less of a tagline and more of a genuine question: what does motion look like for your operation right now? Mills are modernizing. Markets are shifting. The conversations happening on our show floor in August of 2027 should reflect that, and we want your help shaping them.

What programming would make the trip genuinely worthwhile for your team? What does our industry need to be talking about that it isn't talking about enough? What would make EXPO 2027 the event you didn't want to miss? 

We are listening, and nothing is off the table. EXPO has been worth investing in for 75 years because the people in this industry have always shown up for it. We're building the next chapter in Savannah, and we want to build it with you. Click here to share your thoughts.

And save the date: SFPA will host an EXPO 2027 Preview Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, November 10-12, 2026. It is your first chance to see what is taking shape and to help shape it. Details to follow.

Southern Pine lumber shipments in March totaled 1.810 billion board feet (Bbf). March shipments totaled 4.3% above February’s revised shipments of 1,735. March’s year to date shipments totaled 5.226 Bbf. March shipments are 3.1% below the year-to-date period in 2025, and 5.3% below the year-to-date period in 2024.

Southern Pine remains the primary species used in U.S. pressure‑treated lumber. Nearly 85% of all pressure‑treated wood produced nationwide is Southern Pine because its cellular structure accepts preservatives efficiently while maintaining structural integrity.

Most softwood species require incising to achieve adequate preservative penetration. Incising works, but it also reduces strength and stiffness by up to 15%, creating a clear performance tradeoff.

Southern Pine doesn’t require incising. Its cellular structure allows preservatives to penetrate deeply and uniformly on its own, providing full treatment without compromising strength or stiffness. This makes it a reliable choice for decks, docks, boardwalks, and other applications where treated lumber must carry load and perform over time.

Check out our Pressure‑Treated Southern Pine publication to understand the proper specification and use of pressure‑preservative‑treated Southern Pine products. Topics include treatment fundamentals, specification guidance, design considerations, and applicable standards.

Member News

Click on any of the headlines below to learn more

• Registration is Open for SPIB's Fall 2026 Training Courses!
• Register for Timber Products Lumber Grading Course
• From Momentum to Mainstream: The SLB 2025 Annual Report Is Now Available
• The Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force
• Navigating EU Regulations: A Deep Dive into EUTR and EUDR

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and information regarding EXPO 2027 and SFPA’s industry involvement. 

SFPA is an equal-opportunity employer and provider. SFPA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. SFPA is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998.  If you require assistance or wish to report an issue related to the accessibility of any content on this website, email mail@sfpa.org. If applicable, please include the web address or URL and the specific problems you have encountered. It is the policy of the SFPA not to discriminate against any person who is limited in English proficiency (LEP). In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, the Association will take reasonable steps to provide LEP persons meaningful access to its programs and activities. This commitment applies to all of the Association’s federally conducted programs and activities.