Sawmill Safety Awards & Summit
August 7, 2025
7-8:50 a.m. (breakfast included)
The Embassy Suites
Start Day 2 of Forest Products EXPO 2025 with networking, live Nashville music, and a plated breakfast as we recognize seven SFPA lumber manufacturing members with the 2024 John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Awards.
Then stick around for a 45-minute Safety Summit where each mill will discuss its safety culture, how it achieved zero incidents in 2024, and advice for mills looking to improve their safety records.
You’ll be out in time to cross the street when the exhibit hall doors open!
The seven award recipients from 2024 represent a record of 1,883,749 total hours worked among 757 employees – achieving safety excellence with zero reported incidents. This is the fourth year in a row where at least seven member mills reported zero incidents.
SFPA Lumber Manufacturer members are considered for the award based on standardized information submitted using OSHA Form 300A – the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.
This form offers a yearly snapshot of workplace safety by reporting the number of work-related injuries and illnesses at each facility. Awards are presented in three divisions, and safety performance is judged by how each mill’s safety record stacks up against facilities with comparable lumber output throughout the year.
Women's Leadership Summit
Elevate | Empower | Inspire
August 7, 2025 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch included) The Embassy Suites
Be part of a powerful new event shaping the future of leadership in the forest products industry. The inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit, presented by the Southern Forest Products Association, is open to both women and men who are passionate about growth, innovation, and driving change.
Kick off the afternoon with 30 minutes of high-impact networking over lunch — connect with industry peers, decision-makers, and trailblazers. Then, dive into a dynamic 90-minute panel discussion featuring four influential women leaders from across the industry.
Led by moderator Donna Whitaker, former vice president with Interfor (and former board chair with SFPA), three trailblazers will share actionable strategies and real-world insights on the following topics:
- Mentorship, Education, and Advancing Women in the Industry
Dr. Heidi Adams, associate professor and Frank Merritt Endowed Professor of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University.
- Sales and Marketing Excellence
Heidi Danbrook, sales manager with Gilbert.
- Strategic Communications and Public Relations
Kim Drew APR, president and founder of Drew Public Relations.
Whether you're a rising professional or seasoned executive, this summit offers inspiration, empowerment, and practical tools to lead with confidence and drive meaningful impact.
Secure your spot today and be part of the movement to foster stronger, more inclusive leadership in the forest products sector.