The 87th Annual Oregon Logging Conference (OLC), which highlighted the role of the timber industry and its sustainability with the theme "Timber Builds Dreams," took place from Feb. 20-22, 2025, at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, Ore.
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Chris Evans, president of Portland-based Timberlab, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the significance of timber in modern construction.
Education remained a focus, with a packed schedule of seminars and workshops. Attendees had the opportunity to earn certifications, including forest practices, fire school certification and a first aid/CPR certification.
The event showcased hundreds of indoor and outdoor vendors, featuring the latest in logging, construction and trucking equipment.
Additionally, the Future Forestry Workers Career Day attracted high school students, offering hands-on experiences and insights into forestry careers. Chainsaw carving demonstrations and the "Desserts for Dreams" luncheon fundraiser further enriched the conference experience. The log loading competition remained a crowd favorite.
The OLC continued to serve as a premier platform for forestry industry professionals to network, learn and celebrate advancements in the field.
The 2025 show was the largest and most attended show to date. Outside exhibits were the largest ever as well, while the indoor exhibits remained constant. There were requests to move outdoors, as the older buildings at the fairgrounds can't accommodate large equipment through the doorways.
According to Rikki Wellman, conference manager, future planned building updates will allow for more indoor exhibits.
This year's event marked Wellman's 53rd conference and her 52nd year with OLC.
Although the forestry industry hasn't changed all that much in her time with OLC, she said the biggest changes she has seen are about "consolidation, seen mainly with landowners being bought by large companies, the closing of mills, as well as equipment manufacturer and dealer consolidations."
Planning has begun for the 88th OLC, which is slated for Feb. 19-22, 2026.
For details, visit oregonlogging-conference.com. CEG
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2025 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)
As a dealer of Volvo and Ponsse, PacWest Machinery brought its expertise in logging equipment and discussed the latest innovations and solutions for the industry. (L-R) are Steve Baker, Josh Van Gelder, Scott Kellogg, Jan Kauhanen, Samuel Vidgren, Jouni Viitkka, Tim Gafner, Cameron Preston, Garrin Raleigh, Charlie Walsh, Jolene Logue and Austin Gatchet. (CEG photo)
