MLMA 2025 Convention & Trade Show Highlights

The Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association (MLMA), founded in 1954 by a group of Mississippi family-owned sawmills, proudly celebrated its 71st anniversary on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Since its inception, MLMA has fostered a strong sense of community, maintaining a family-oriented atmosphere where spouses and children are welcomed to participate in the association’s annual Convention and Trade Show, a tradition that continues to thrive more than seven decades later.

Gallagher, KDS Windsor, and USNR were platinum sponsors for the Convention and Trade Show hosted at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino from Thursday, June 19th through Saturday, June 22nd.

This year had record participation numbers, with over 1,000 guests registered and 100 members exhibiting at the Trade Show. Events kicked off on Thursday evening with the President’s welcome reception.

The trade show, considered as the main event of the week, followed on Friday afternoon. Before the doors opened, exhibitors were invited to join the MLMA board of directors for an appreciation luncheon sponsored by Taylor Machine Works. The afternoon expo offered attendees an opportunity to visit each exhibitor booth while they enjoyed a reception sponsored by USNR, Real Performance Machinery, COMACT, Forest City Trading Group, and Pierce Construction and Maintenance.

The weekend was packed with outdoor activities and social events. Saturday’s festivities included two sold-out events: a fishing tournament in Pass Christian, MS, sponsored by Hankins, Inc., and a golf tournament at The Preserve Golf Club in Vancleave, MS, sponsored by Weyerhaeuser. Both sporting events offered members a memorable way to connect with each other and win prizes!

The ladies of MLMA were treated to a delightful brunch, sponsored by Shuqualak Lumber Company and held at the New Orleans-inspired Coraline’s at the Beau Rivage. Guests enjoyed a morning of socializing and live entertainment provided by Gram Rea, before joining the afternoon pool party.

MLMA members value this annual event because it provides them with ample networking opportunities to engage with their colleagues, customers, and vendors in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The continued support and attendance of these members make the MLMA convention a huge success year after year.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our board of directors, members, sponsors, and volunteers, whose dedication allows our event to thrive year after year,” said Ellery Jones, Executive Director. “It has been a joy to host this year’s event as we proudly celebrate the 71st year of this beloved organization. Today, we are honored to represent 27 Mill Members operating over 30 sawmills in the state, alongside a strong network of over 300 Associate Members — a testament to the continued growth and strength of our organization.”

This year’s Convention and Trade Show proved to be one for the books. The week closed out with a wonderful reception sponsored by Nyle Dry Kilns and CARBOTECH. Guests enjoyed more live music, great food, and fellowship to wind down the eventful week. Mark the dates for next year, because this is an event you don’t want to miss! We will see you June 25th-28th, 2026, in Biloxi, MS, at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.

About MLMA

The Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association (MLMA) was originally organized in 1954 as the Mississippi Pine Manufacturers Association to promote the sale and use of southern yellow pine lumber produced by Mississippi sawmills.

In 1978, the name was changed to Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association to include both hardwood and southern yellow pine mills. MLMA’s hardwood mills are now an integral part of its membership.

MLMA mill members include responsible manufacturers of quality southern lumber, both pine and hardwood, representing all lumber production sections of Mississippi. Associate membership includes business-related companies and suppliers, lumber wholesalers, and lumber producers in other states.

MLMA members contribute to the economy of their local communities, the state, and the nation by providing jobs and products. They play a leading role as good citizens through scholarship and award programs and in the conservation of Mississippi’s most renewable natural resource.

According to the Mississippi State University Extension Service, forestry is the second-largest agricultural commodity in Mississippi, representing a $1.17 billion value of production in 2013. The total industry impact on Mississippi annually is approximately $17.4 billion, 123,000 jobs, and $4.4 billion in wages.

MLMA was founded by Warren Hood, Floyd Sulser, and Richard Molpus in 1954 and has been a leading proponent of the forest products industry for 70 years. MLMA has grown to serve more than 25 sawmills and over 250 associate members.

Contact:

Candie L. Simmons – Media Contact – registration@mlmalumber.com – (662) 528-3774

Source: The Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association