Congratulations! We have just completed the 2013 Prairie Showcase & Convention.

The Show Committee depends on your feedback to plan our next buying show and convention.

EXHIBITOR: 2013 Survey
Complete this survey by March 1st, 2013 and your name will be entered to win 1 Free inside booth - value of over $1100 for the 2014 Show!

RETAILER: 2013 Survey
Complete this survey by March 1st, 2013 and your name will be entered to win TWO complete 2014 Showcase Convention Packages. (This package includes two tickets to all 2014 Showcase convention events, with a total value of over $350) 

Thank you for your participation!

Maybe your company comes to our show every 2nd year, or perhaps the weather didn't permit a trip to Saskatoon this past January... either way if you didn't come this year let us know why!  We need your feedback, help us to help you!

CLICK HERE  to complete our short survey!

Stay current with what's happening in your industry by watching WRLA's monthly video update.
In this month's video:

• Highlights from the 2013 Prairie Showcase
• Now Available: Retail Business Management Studies Program

Online registration is now open for Manual Estimating and Yard Foreman courses.
Don’t miss the boat and register your people NOW.
Rebates available!

CLICK HERE to Register for courses NOW!

And for more information on Rebates CLICK HERE

• Reduce equipment, product and facility damages 
• Reduce workers compensation claims and premiums
• Increase productivity 
• Improve maintenance condition of equipment
• Enhance employee morale and company safety culture

NEW expanded WRLA Member Rate Program! 

CLICK HERE to read more and to view new rates for 2013

Shave minutes - even hours - off your construction, repair, or renovation job. FEIN's MultiMaster is the most versatile oscillating multi-tool on the market!  You can saw, sand, scrape, cut, trim, polish, and sharpen with one tool.

Grow the green in your business by going with the greenest decking composite the market has to offer! TerraDeck by Nature's Composites is made with recycled milk jugs and wheat straw - Plus, it's better-looking, and more durable than the competition.

The training offered through Project Pro is designed to help independent hardware stores and building centres enhance their competitive advantages against the big boxes.

Key Components: Project Pro addresses the key components of selling the most common home improvement projects, including:

• How to complete the project, step-by-step.
• The products required for the project and the classification of each product.
• The key sales drivers, including project-related upselling and add-on selling techniques.
• Answers to customers’ frequently asked project questions.
• The financial effect project selling can have on the business.

The first part of training employees to sell projects is teaching them how to do the projects, step-by-step. The content of Project Pro is based on the videos from PlanitDiy.com®, a consumer-facing website that features more than 70 how-to project videos. The employee first watches the project video to learn the basic elements of how to complete the project. Each video is 5-7 minutes in length and covers the basics of how to do each project.

Project PRO courses currently available:

• Priming & Painting Interior Walls
• Fixing a Leaky Toilet
• Installing Electrical Outlets & Switches
• Deck Maintenance
• Refinishing an Antique
• Planting & Pruning Trees & Shrubs
• Repairing Drywall
• Home Weatherization
• Plumbing Supply Lines
• Exterior Painting
• Installing an Electrical Fixture

Since product knowledge is a key component of helping customers with their projects, Project Pro also includes product knowledge training in the context of each project. For example, products are organized by their role within the project, including "project starters," "project killers," "prep products," "safety products," "clean-up products" and "tools and hardware."

Why Project Pro is valuable: Product knowledge training can be intimidating when considering that typical hardware stores stock tens of thousands of SKUs. This is especially true for new hires. That’s why it’s important to focus on teaching employees product knowledge within the context of the projects your customers are tackling on a regular basis. It makes learning product knowledge easier and more relevant.

Project Pro is just one of the training programs available as part of your premium membership in WRLA, through our partnership with the North American Hardware Association Canada.

CLICK HERE to learn more about NRHA Canada courses and services for WRLA Members!

February 20, 2013 (Calgary, AB) –  Huisman has 14 years of experience in the industry, having previously held positions as General Manager - National Accounts at Moulding and Millwork, and Branch Manager with the Ontario Moulding Division of Sauder Moulding & Millwork, among others. Based in Vaughan, Ontario, Huisman will be reporting to to Barbara Hopper, COO. Sales Managers, Key Account Managers and the Commodity Trader Group will report to him. In operation since 1967, TIM-BR MART Group is a $2 billion+ member-owned organization serving over 750 building material and hardware retailers, commercial dealers and manufacturers across Canada. The organization exists to help Canadian entrepreneurs involv

February 21 - 23, 2013
Orgill Dealer Market
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
www.orgill.com  

March 21 - 23, 2013
2013 TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
Contact: catherine.brownlow@timbrmart.ca  

April 7 - 8, 2013
Federated Coop Market
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK

April 13 - 15. 2013
TruServ Canada Spring Buying Market
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg
www.truserv.ca

April 14 - 16, 2013
Home Hardware Spring Market
St. Jacobs, ON

To view the complete Events Calendar  CLICK HERE

To view the complete Education & Training Calendar CLICK HERE

Support your association and broadcast your business to hundreds of decision-makers in the lumber industry. Advertising opportunities are still available in several WRLA publications:

The YardStick: The YardStick is sent to more than 1,200 members firms every other month. Advertising in the largest issue of The YardStick, the Prairie Showcase edition, is a great way to reinforce your marketing message with hundreds of decision-makers who regularly read this magazine while supporting WRLA. Ads booked within the print edition automatically appear (linked to the website or email of your choice) in the digital edition, which is read by more than 500 visitors each issue. Exclusive online ad positions are also available within every digital edition.

The Toolbox: Delivered directly to the inboxes of more than 1,200 lumber managers and professionals, this weekly e-newsletter offers consistent access to the individuals who rely on your products and services to run their businesses.

Directory & Product Source Guide: WRLA is the largest retail lumber association on the Prairies, with its membership representing 85% of the industry. All of our members are included in this annual directory and all keep this publication handy year-round. Make sure your business stands out in this resource by purchasing a display advertisement.

WRLA.org: Our website average more than 3,000 visits per month! Advertising space is available on the home and sub-pages of WRLA.org. Ads rotate on the home page and sub pages, expanding your exposure to site visitors at an affordable price.

WRLA-TV: Introducing the NEW WRLA-TV Banner Sponsorship. Our online TV and banners offer your brand high visibility on the WRLA homepage. Your branding and action oriented banner is featured every time WRLA-TV’s videos are played by our audience, leaving them one-click away from your website‘s landing page.

For more information about these opportunities, click here for the media kit or contact:

Kim Davies
Project Manager
(800) 665-2456, ext. 423
kdavies@naylor.com