88th Oregon Logging Conference opens in Eugene with log-loader competition, Family Day

Thousands from across Oregon converged on the Lane Events Center & Fairgrounds in Eugene when the 88th Annual Oregon Logging Conference opened Feb. 19 for a three-day expo running through Feb. 21, drawing trade exhibits, equipment displays and a public Family Day on Saturday, Feb. 21. KEZI reported the event was “drawing thousands from across the state,” and the conference schedule set Family Day hours at 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Wheeler Pavilion with free public admission.

The conference billed its theme as “Responsible Forestry Today, Healthy Forests Tomorrow,” a phrase President Mike McKibbin emphasized in his opening remarks. “This year’s theme, ‘Responsible Forestry Today, Healthy Forests Tomorrow,’ is more than a theme,” McKibbin said. “It is a call to action about how we manage our forests in Oregon.” McKibbin also linked the industry outlook to recent federal policy when he said, “Executive orders signed last year by President Trump call for the immediate expansion of domestic timber production from our public lands,” adding that the action “will not only make our forests healthier but also will provide more raw material for an industry that desperately needs it.”

Keynote duties at the Thursday morning opening session went to Jacque Buchanan, who the conference site lists as Regional Forester for Region 6 (Oregon & Washington), Region 5 (California) and Acting Regional Forester for Region 10 (Alaska). The event listing noted that in Region 6 Buchanan oversees “six National Forests, two National Scenic Areas, a National Grassland, and two National Volcanic Monuments,” positioning the keynote to address federal management and regional forest priorities.

Exhibitors and vendors filled the Lane Events Center main parking lot area at 796 W 13th Ave with heavy equipment and demonstrations. Travel Oregon and the conference materials highlighted chainsaw woodcarving and new equipment demonstrations, while LaneEventsCenter copy invited the public to explore “millions of dollars in logging equipment.” MV/CO Machinery was among vendors on site; company representative David Breakey told KEZI, “I think it's really important to bring the community together, bring like-minded people together, and share new ideas, and new types of equipment.”

Family Day programming in the Wheeler Pavilion included hands-on and educational activities listed by LaneEventsCenter: “Educational activities such as paper-making. Wildlife exhibits. Build your own bird feeder. Free seedlings. Learn about the age of a tree and other tree-related activities. Clowns. Free popcorn. Millions of dollars in logging equipment to explore. And be on the lookout for Smokey Bear and Coni-Fir.” KEZI also reported the Saturday schedule included virtual forest tours aimed at young attendees.

Youth outreach surfaced in on-site interviews with students exploring forestry careers. Trinity Schenk-Williams, who attended the conference, said, “It gives you a chance to explore different places you can go when you're older and like the forest industry is just amazing and they're always needing new people so it helps starting young and finding all the different positions and ways you can like go about it.”

The conference materials and event listings emphasize trade exhibits, seminars, panel sessions and hands-on training across the three days. The event organizer can be reached at 541-686-9191 or info@oregonloggingconference.com for full schedules, exhibitor lists and press inquiries. For venue information and parking, contact Lane Events Center at (541) 682-4292, 796 W 13th Ave, Eugene. Note: the event title referenced a log-loader competition; organizers have listed extensive equipment demonstrations but published schedules in the conference materials did not provide specific times or results for a log-loader competition, so media or attendees seeking confirmation should contact the conference at the listed phone or email.