WRLA Toolbox: June 12, 2014
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Welcome to the ToolBox, your portal to WRLA member news and information within the LBM market. We invite you to learn more about what's going on within your association and the companies whose products and/or services you utilize.

What's Going On

Housing Policy/Disclaimer:

The WRLA, producer of the WRLA 2015 Buying Show, would like to remind all Show attendees and exhibitors that WRLA 2015 Buying Show uses ICS (International Conference Services Ltd.) for show accommodations.  Any claims by any other organization stating that they are the official WRLA 2015 Buying Show housing agency are untrue.  Please go to http://www.wrla.org/buying-show for hotel booking information.

 

   
2014 HARDLINES Conference
Sheraton Toronto Airport and Conference Centre 
October 22nd & 23rd


WRLA in Partnership with NRHA want to send one Retail and one Associate member to the Hardlines Conference to Represent NexGEN! 
    
Be part of a panel discussion with Industry Leaders, plus attend seminars and the 2014 Outstanding Retailer Awards!



 CLICK HERE for Contest Details

 
Want to learn more about the contest or WRLA NexGEN?
Visit
www.wrla.org/nexgen or contact Krista at kristas@wrla.org 


 

Forgot to Sponsor this year?... There's still Time!
CLICK HERE to Sponsor a Hole



WRLA Terry Yates Memorial, Steinbach, MB August 19th - CLICK HERE
19th Annual WRLA Calgary Classic, Sundre, AB September 4th - CLICK HERE
WRLA Golf Kenosee, Kenosee Lake, SK  September 17th - CLICK HERE

Visit www.wrla.org for more information

 


WRLA Bursary & Scholarship
Applications Available Now!




Visit our Website for more information:
www.wrla.org/education-a-training/bursaries-and-scholarships
 
or
Contact Krista Scherpenzeel at kristas@wrla.org or 1-800-661-0253

 

 

Exhibitor Contracts have been emailed - if you didn’t receive yours, you can download it from the link below.
Please share all show information with all your booth personal
www.wrla.org/exhibitor-information/exhibitor-guide .


Check out the 2015 Interactive Floor Plan - Find your Booth! 
www.wrla.org/exhibitor-information/floorplan

Complete your contract and return to Ckelly@wrla.org in order to reserve your booth – deadline is June 13, 2014
*Booth invoices will be emailed in August.*

Want to expand your Brand Reach? 
Contact us today about Sponsorship Opportunities!
Forms are available here: www.wrla.org/exhibitor-information/exhibitor-guide or you can call us today at 1-800-661-0253

 


The WRLA will publish its’ annual Directory in July 2014.

 
Each membership will receive one directory.
Additional copies are available to members only at a cost of $60 each.

CLICK HERE to Order ADDITIONAL COPIES

 

The time to get ready for Calagary is NOW!
Take a peek at the beautiful city hosting the 2015 WRLA Buying Show!

   

WRLA TV is a great place to find out what's happening in your Industry!
Breaking News | Industry Announcements | Highlights from Industry Events | Advertising | New Products | Helpful Tips

CLICK HERE for our Media Kit and to find out how you can
advertise on WRLA T.V!

CLICK HERE to Watch Now!


 


Got News?  Share it with us! 
And always watch for new videos and updates from the WRLA!

   

Help us get the word out about OUR Industry!

 
Industry News

With the rush of spring planting over, homeowners may be ready to tackle another project to spruce up their lawns and gardens. Here are three ways you can get your share of sales from those customers looking to enhance their outdoor spaces:

Landscaping projects
Think project sales as you promote your patio pavers and water gardening supplies. If you have a garden area outdoors, use your patio paver and landscaping items to build a walkway in your garden area. You can also decorate your gardening displays or build a small paver patio so customers can see different ways they can use these products. Include a display that shows all of the different items, like gravel, sand, rakes and tamper, needed to finish the project. You can make this display on an endcap if you don’t have the space outside.

Water gardening
Become the water gardening expert in your area. To become a destination for this project, expand your category to include water elements for all sizes of yards and gardens, from a small fountain that can sit on a balcony to a larger pond with a waterfall.

To make your knowledge of this project more valuable to your customers, host a how-to clinic that covers not just the installation of the pond, but also the types of plants suitable for water gardening. Some homeowners want to include fish in their water garden, so when you host a clinic, consider inviting a local pet store to partner with you so they can provide information to your customers.

Go deep in yard decorations
Whether it’s a fountain, figurine, globe, or garden gnome, homeowners love their yard decorations. They also want decorations that are different from everyone else on their street. This is a way you can differentiate yourself from your larger competitors, since as an independent you have the freedom to source from a variety of vendors. This area is more subject to fashion than other areas of the lawn and garden department, so don’t just stock the same items you sold last year. Instead, look for something new to keep your customers’ interest.

WRLA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRHA

The goal of the North American Retail Hardware Association is to help independent hardware and home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants through a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools that are all available online. WRLA members get unlimited access to a full range of training and management services when they join NRHA through the WRLA. CLICK HERE for more Information.

 


Did you know?
In most insurance policies Cyber & Privacy Breach are not covered?



Are you exposed to data breach and cyber liability?
Do you store, hold or even pass on to third parties personal information about clients, customers or employees (includes electronic as well as paper files/data)? If you do, you will have an exposure to the legal and regulatory ramifications of a data breach.

CLICK HERE to Learn more!

 




Protect the health of your family with MAYO CLINIC Expertise via MyCare Health Benefit Option!

What Is MyCare Health Benefit Option* (HBO)?
MyCare HBO provides Plan Members with access to Mayo Clinic expertise throughtheir team of over 3,700 experts for medical diagnosis so the best treatment and recovery plan are not delayed.

CLICK HERE for the complete details!

 
Calendar of Events


June 18 - 20,  2014
Castle Western Buying Expo
Calgary, AB

August 14 – 16, 2014
Orgill Fall Market
Chicago, IL
www.orgill.com

August 19.  2014

WRLA Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament
Steinbach, MB

September 4. 2014
WRLA Calgary Classic Golf Tournament
Sundre, AB

September 10 - 13, 2014
BSIA 2014 Westcoast Building & Hardware Show
Whistler, BC
www.bsiabc.ca

September 17. 2014
WRLA Kenosee Golf Tournament
Kenosee Lake, SK

October 22 & 23, 2014
2014 Hardlines Conference
Sheraton Toronto Airport and Conference Centre

To view the complete Events Calendar  CLICK HERE

 
Member Updates

NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Metal Roofing & Siding Experts Inc.
#4A, 153 Pembina Road
Sherwood Park, AB   T8H 0B9
Phone: (780) 464-6410
Fax: (780) 464-5572
Toll Free: (888) 263-8254
sales@metalexperts.ca
www.metalexperts.ca
Contact: Mark Brumm
(Manufacturer) metal roofing and siding products

 
Association Publications

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 averages 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 

 
WRLA Videos


Stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and events with our engaging new communication channel.

Have you watched the latest episode on our WRLA TV channel? Don't wait to take full advantage of this terrific media channel, one of the many benefits of your WRLA membership!

Check it out here!


 
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Westman Steel Industries
iRecycle Inc.
Castle Building Centres

If your company has news that you would like to see in The ToolBox, please email your news releases to news@wrla.org
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