Schedules & Programs
2026 Tentative Schedule
Monday, April 13, 2026
7am – 7pm Outside Exhibitors Start setting up
8am – 4:30pm Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading (Meadow Hall)
*4 Day Course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish & English. Registration will be required*
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
7am – 8pm Inside Exhibitors start setting up, Outside Exhibitor Set Up continues
8am – 4:30pm Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading (Meadow Hall)
*4 Day Course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish & English. Registration will be required*
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
7am – 8pm Inside and Outside Exhibitor Set Up continues
8am – 4:30pm Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading (Meadow Hall)
*4 Day Course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish & English. Registration will be required*
Thursday, April 16, 2026
7am – 8pm Inside and Outside Exhibitor Set Up continues
8am – 4:30pm Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading (Meadow Hall)
*4 Day Course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish & English. Registration will be required*
8am – 4:30pm – VT Educational Class (Meadow Hall). Registration will be required.
9am – 6pm Exhibitor Registration Opens – Farm Bureau Building West Front Entrance
Friday, April 17, 2026
7:30am - Exhibitor Registration Opens – Farm Bureau Building West Front Entrance
8am - Registration Opens – Meadow Pavilion
8:30am – Show Opens
8:30am – 4:30pm – Weiler Loader Contest – Outside Booth C1
9:00 am – Lumberjack Entertainment
10:30am – 12:30PM SHARP Logger Class (Meadow Hall)
11am - Lumberjack Entertainment
1pm - Lumberjack Entertainment
4-7pm – Taste of Virginia Welcome Reception Invitation Only (Meadow Hall)
5pm – Show Closes
Saturday, April 18, 2026
8am - Registration Opens – Meadow Pavilion
8:30am- Show Opens
8:30am – 1:30pm – Weiler Loader Contest – Outside Booth C1
9:30am –Lumberjack Entertainment
10am – 1pm – Virginia Forest Trails Initiative (Meadow Hall)
*Registration Required- Please contact vaforesttrails@gmail.com*
10:30am – 12:30pm - SHARP Logger Class - Meadow Hall
11am - Lumberjack Entertainment
1pm - Lumberjack Entertainment
1:30pm – Weiler Loader Contest – FINAL RUN OFF & Awards -Outside Booth C1
3pm – Show Closes
Sunday, April 19 – Tuesday, April, 21, 2026
Exhibitor Clean Up
Virginia Tech Forest Products
Innovation and Technology Summit
Basics of pallet design and performance
Thursday, April 11th - 8:00am – 12:00pm
The course will cover the basic concepts for the proper design of wooden pallets. Using The Pallet Design Software (PDS), the most commonly used software in the pallet industry, attendees will learn how to design a pallet and optimize its structure to reach their goals. The course will cover how different material and fastener choices will impact pallet performance and how different load support conditions impact how much load a pallet can carry as well as how pallets, packaging and material handling equipment interact in the supply chain.
Your Instructor:
Eduardo Molina, Ph.D.
Packaging Systems and Design
Department of Sustainable Biomaterials
Virginia Tech
Lumber Drying for Small Operators - 1:00pm - 4:30pm
In this course you will learn about what you need to consider as a small operator getting into lumber drying. How do I determine the market potential? How long does it take to dry lumber? What should I consider when looking into different kiln types? Should I air-dry first or go straight into the kiln? We’ll cover the lumber drying basics, different types of kilns and their capabilities/limitations, avoiding defects and the basics of controlling the drying process.
Your instructor:
Brian Bond, Ph.D.
Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Sustainable Biomaterials
Virginia Tech
Why Attend?
Learn about the latest innovations and technologies in the forest products industries
Network with speakers, industry, academicians, students, and government agencies
Explore how technologies and innovations can help your bottom line
Virginia Forest Trails Initiative
Discover Your Path Into the Forestry Industry
Join Virginia Tech, Mountain Gateway Community College and Industry Leaders to learn more about education and careers in Forestry.
Saturday, April 13
10am - 1pm
Meadow Hall
Registration Required by April 5
Event open to high school Juniors and Seniors.
Click Here for more information and to register.