123rd Annual Meeting

April 4-8, 2027

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Louisville, Kentucky

Join us for AWPA's 123rd Annual Meeting taking place in Louisville, Kentucky April 4-8, 2027

AWPA is pleased to announce the meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown Louisville.

Welcome to Bourbon Country! Or maybe you love horses, boxing, baseball, great food, live entertainment or an easily walkable city. No matter what, Louisville will have something for you. Our hotel is right off of legendary Bourbon Row, steps from historic distillaries and right in the very heart of this vibrant city scape. Registration will open in early Janaury 2027.

AWPA Meeting Registration

Registration is open!

Register early to get the best rate!

Early registration: Until March 14, 2026 (Members $750, Non-members $1.050)
Regular registration: Until April 10, 2026 (Members $800, Non-members $1,100) Those registering after April 10th will not be on the printed pre-registration list.
On-site registration: Until April 29, 2026 (Members $850, Non-members $1,150)

Downloadable Registration Form

If you need to register multiple people at once, please contact us and we will be glad to help with the process.
https://awpa.com/about/contact


Hotel Reservations

The meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 320 West Jefferson Street in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

Room rates in the AWPA block are $209 for single or double occupancy, plus applicable taxes. 

Hyatt Regency Reservation Link

You can also call the reservations department at 877-803-7534 and note you are looking for the AWPA room block.

*The room block cut off date is Monday, March 15, 2027*

Please be aware that AWPA and the hotel DO NOT share your contact information with anyone. If you are contacted by anyone other than AWPA or the Hyatt Regency in regards to this meeting it is NOT legitimate.

Getting to Louisville

Louisville Muhammed Ali International Airport is 10 minutes from the hotel. Car rentals are available. The Hyatt Regency offers discounted self parking at $22.50 per night for AWPA guests and valet parking at a rate of $40 per night. Click on the link below for an overview of flights flying into Louisville:

https://www.gotolouisville.com/travel-tools/transportation/flying/.

Guest Options

Each person accompanying a registered attendee (a spouse or any guests) must be registered to attend the receptions. A badge is required for entry to all AWPA events. There are two options for spouse/guest registration:

1. A Receptions/Hospitality option. This is for those who only wish to take part in the social events at the hotel.

2. A Tour and Receptions/Hospitality option. This includes all receptions and a special guest outing to the historic Paristown cultural arts district for shopping, lunch, a specialty cocktail and dessert and a tour of the Stoneware & Co art factory, where you will paint your own pottery. Enjoy the relaxed vibe at this all inclusive outing.

The 2027 Hacker's Classic Golf Tournament

The AWPA Golf Committee is very excited to present the Springdale Resort as this year’s location for the Hacker’s Classic. Nestled within the Appalachian mountains, the Springdale Golf Course offers a journey through time on its historic grounds. The picturesque Cold Mountain landscape, evolving from an organic farm to an educational landmark, has been a source of wonder for 148 years. Here, each stroke tests your skills against the backdrop of rolling valleys and breathtaking views. Welcome to where tradition meets challenge!

Pickler's Prance 5K Fun Run/Walk

The 2027 Pickler’s Prance 5K Fun Run/Walk is a great way to start the day! Pack your best running and walking shoes for this one--Asheville is a hilly but beautiful city (and there are plenty of places to stop for a great cup of coffee along the way if the hills are just a little to hilly--just make sure the organizers know you have taken a detour ;-) )

Display Table Add-on

Would you like a table to display your company's literature, samples, or a tabletop exhibit? If so, please register for the Display Table Add-on which includes a six-foot table, two chairs, and a standard 120 volt outlet. The tables will be arranged in the same area as the coffee breaks for maximum exposure to meeting attendees. We will also be offering an option for a half table which offers enough space for a stand alone poster and other small items. Please reach out to us with any questions. There is limited space available so please register early for table space. Display Table Flyer

Looking forward to these display set-ups:

Applied Rigaku Technologies
BigonDry Thermal Modification Kilns
Carolina Machinery Sales
Do2
Hitachi High-Tech America
IWT-Moldrup
Maverick Corporation
MidSouth Tag and Label
Mississippi State University
Polesaver

Annual Meeting Sponsors

If you are interested in an opportunity to sponsor this can't miss event, we invite you to become a corporate sponsor.  We are happy to share our list of sponsors in all of our meeting collateral, and display your logos at our events.  Without all of you, this wouldn't be the premium event that it is.  Please reach out to us to discuss Annual Meeting Corporate Sponsor opportunities at email@awpa.com or take a look at our Sponsor Flyer.

Thank you to our Annual Meeting Sponsors thus far:

Arxada
Koppers
Viance
American Chemet
Lanxess
Rain Carbon
Genics
Nisus
American Wood Technology
Osmose
Southern Pine Inspection Bureau
Wood Quality Control
Maverick Corporation


Student Travel Fellowship Fund Contributions

Each year, AWPA is able to pay travel costs for several students to attend the meeting and present their current research. Some of these students have been hired by organizations in the industry after graduation. Please help support our students by contributing to the Student Travel Fellowship Fund. You can contact us at +1-205-733-4077 to request an invoice, or you can contribute during the registration process.

Individuals who have contributed to the 2027 Scholarship Fund thus far are: 
(arranged by amount of contribution, highest to lowest

Brian Stults
Thierry Backeljau
Connor Burke
Karson Guardado
Craig McIntyre
Kim Merritt
Kevin Ragon
Beth Stokes
Shekaib Adab
Stacey Carr
Will Cox
Justin Duma
Goksen Elkas
Kyle Cassidy
Grant Kirker
Tom Kyzer
Kim Klatt
Jeff Lloyd
Steve Quarles
Raymond Sheepwash
Felix Suarez
Greg Traczek
Rick Bleskey
Brandon Graham
Travis Hixon
Jeff Morrell
George Mwangi
Kris Owen

Things to See and Do in Louisville

The official website of the Louisville Visitors Bureau has so much information on all there is to see and do while in town. Visit their site now to begin planning your trip:  https://www.gotolouisville.com/

123rd Annual Meeting Schedule of Events

Meeting General Chair: Glenn Larkin
General Vice Chairs: Sarath Vega and Beth Stokes
Program Chair: David Jones

Click Here for Abstracts (they will be posted as they are received)

Tentative Schedule:

Sunday, April 26, 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Executive Committee Meeting (Location: French Broad 1 & 2)

Monday, April 27, 2026
Breakfast offered at Embassy Suites/Doubletree for registered hotel guests

8:00 am - Hacker's Classic Golf Tournament (Tee Time is 9am)
8:00 am - Pickler's Prance 5K Fun Run/Walk - Meet in the hotel lobby
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Registration Desk Open

Task Group/Other Meetings:

Location: French Broad 3
9:00 am - 10:00 am T-7 Task Group on M4
10:00 am - 10:30 am Glu-Lam Sampling Task Group
10:30 am - 11:00 am Borate Framing Topical Treatment Task Group
11:00 am - 12:00 pm P-1 Penta Phase Out Task Group
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm RTA R&D Meeting
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Treated Wood Council Meeting
          
Location: French Broad 1 & 2
10:00 am - 11:00 am P-9 Thermally Modified Wood Task Group
11:00 am - 12:30 pm T-2 Naturally Durable Wood
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm P-9 Barrier Protection Task Group
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ANSI ASC O5 Meeting
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm AWPA Utility User's Group

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - New Member Reception at Soprana Rooftop Restaurant (Invitation only)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - President's Welcome Reception at Soprana Rooftop Restaurant (Badge Required)

Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Breakfast offered at Embassy Suites/Doubletree for registered hotel guests

8:00 am - 4:00 pm Registration Desk open
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Exhibitors in Ballroom Pre-Function Area
10:00 am - 4:00 pm Spouse/Guest Tour (for those registered for the tour option) - Meet in the hotel lobby

Blue Ridge Ballroom all day:
8:30 am - 10:15 am Combined Opening and Business Sessions
10:15 am - 10:30 am Break
10:30 am - 11:30 am Colley/Hartford Memorial Lecture: Kathryn Fernholz, President and CEO of Dovetail Partners

Wood as a Green Resource: Leadership for all 3 dimensions of sustainability. Portion of abstract below:

Wood is the world’s most versatile and renewable material. It is a climate‑positive, socially beneficial, and economically resilient resource that requires innovation and advocacy for the benefits to be fully realized. This presentation explores how leadership across the sector advances all three dimensions of sustainability - economic, environmental, and social - and leads to more opportunities for embracing wood as a strategic green resource. Emerging market trends, innovations in wood-based materials, and the expanding role of forests in the circular economy offer great potential. Supporting rural livelihoods, strengthening workforce pathways, and ensuring that communities share in the benefits of a growing bioeconomy are the responsibilities of today's sustainability leaders. Drawing on insights from Dovetail Partners’ research and cross-sector collaborations, Kathryn Fernholz will highlight actionable insights for industry professionals, partners, and leaders seeking to align environmental integrity, social well-being, and economic prosperity to support growth in the responsible use of wood.

11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)  
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Women of AWPA Luncheon (French Broad 1 & 2)

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dan Tingley, Global Senior Structural Engineer and Wood Technologist at Wood Research & Development

Durability and Extension of Life in Outdoor WOOD Structures – The Old Stays New! Portion of abstract below:

Timber is one of the oldest materials used for construction of bridges, marine structures, and other outdoor structures which are often exposed to very harsh environmental conditions.  This presentation will discuss modern and historical methods for improving the service life of wood structures. It will bring modern timber products to the forefront with discussions about mass timber in outdoor structures and how such structures as parking garages and bridges are now utilizing mass timber in outdoor or harsh environmental conditions utilizing advanced pre-machining and post treatment strategies to improve longevity. It will specifically focus on methods of decay prevention in these harsh environmental conditions. Dr. Tingley will demonstrate how experienced timber designers and builders can implement proper design, construction, treatment, and maintenance practices to extend the durability of wood structures.

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Dallin Brooks, NHLA
NHLA 1st Annual Report on the North American Thermally Modified Wood Market – 2025

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Student Poster Spotlight 
Students will be available to present and answer questions on their posters in the Ballroom Pre-Function Area

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Research Symposium:
Moderated by Beth Stokes, Mississippi State University

Joel Wallace, Tennessee Technological University
Moisture Analysis of Wood in Timber-Concrete Composites During Concrete Curing

Gerald Presley, Oregon State University
A Laboratory Study on DCOI Decomposition in Soil

Jeff Morrell, Adelaide University
Predicting DCOI Migration from Overhead Decking

Anjila Lamichhane, Clemson University
Evaluation of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Three Thermally Modified U.S. Wood Species

Jeff Lloyd, Nisus Corporation
Integrating Boron Based Protection in Framing and CLT for Minimizing Carbon Footprint and Improving Climate Resilience

Aleria Story, Mississippi State University
Evaluating the Durability of Preservative-treated Glulam Through Nondestructive Time of Flight Measurement

Dr. Kent Wheiler, University of Washington 
Effect of Five Treatments on Three U.S. Softwood Species to Prevent Termite Damage in Thailand 

Sailesh Adhikari, NHLA
Development of a North American Industry Standard for Thermally Modified Wood

Sarath Vega, Hexion Inc.
Use of the Multi-Chamber Modular Environmental Conditioning System (MCMEC)  as a Tool for Accelerated Weathering

Xinfeng Xie, Michigan Technological University
An Update on the Durability Testing of Pressure-Treated Domestic Hardwoods in the Tropical Rainforest

Ershad Ahmmed, Mississippi State University
Evaluation of Water Ingress into Various Retentions of Creosote-Treated Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) via Wetting Angle after Weathering

Grant Kirker, USDA Forest Products Laboratory
Continued Evaluation of Mold Treatments for Wood Based Military Packaging

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Breakfast offered at Embassy Suites/Doubletree for registered hotel guests

8:00 am - 4:00 pm Registration Desk open
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Exhibitors in Ballroom Pre-Function Area
8:00 am - 8:30 am Student Poster Spotlight in the Ballroom Pre-Function Area

Technical Sessions - Blue Ridge Ballroom

8:30 am - 9:30 am
FEMA Flood Zone Regulations & Residential Treated Wood Products:
Moderated by Paul Merrick, AWPA President

Grant Kirker, USDA Forest Products Laboratory
Resiliency of Treated Wood Products to Flooding and Natural Disasters

Chris Barber, Kop-Coat
Pre-treatments of Building Materials Exposed to Potential Flood Zones

Jeff Lloyd, Nisus Corporation
Protecting Homes and Health from Moisture after a Flood

9:30 am - 10:30 am
Resiliency of Non-Residential Treated Wood Products to Natural Disasters:
Moderated by Kyle Cassidy, Stella-Jones

Richard George, Polesaver
Building Resilience into Treated Wood Poles

Noah Babik, Koppers, for Nate Irby, RTA 
Wood Railroad Tie and Timber Resiliency in Natural Disasters

Emmanuel Osei-Bonsu, University of Georgia
Biopolymer-Based Wood Protection: γ-PGA for Fire and Fungal Resistance

10:30 am - 11:30 am
Quality Control:
Moderated by David Jones, Timber Products Inspection

David Jones, Timber Products Inspection
How Are You Maintaining Your Curves?

Kim Merritt, Southern Pine Inspection Bureau
Wood Happens: Managing Variability in the Real World

Will Cox, Wood Quality Control
Quality Control & Inspection of Wood Utility Products

Brad Crawford, Stella-Jones, for Nate Irby, RTA
Wood Tie and Timber Quality Control Best Practices


11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own)

1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Innovations in Wood Preservation:
Moderated by Sarath Vega, Hexion Inc.

Stephen Uphill, Arxada 
Technological Advances in Wood Protection

Kaelin Quigley, Oregon State University
Quantifying the Environmental Performance of Treated Wood: Laboratory Aquatic Migration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Creosote Treated Wood

Glenn Larkin, LarChem LLC
Portable Methods for the Analysis and Characterization of Treated-Wood Products

Opeyemi Odule, Oregon State University
Developing Mass Timber Inspection Methodology for Early Decay Detection Using Resistance Drilling Data and Artificial Intelligence

Rick Embry, Embry Automation & Controls 
Beyond the Retort: What’s Coming to Plant Operations and Why It Matters

Paul Merrick, AWPA President
Modified Above Ground Termite Test Method

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Demo Workshop:  Moderated by Glenn Larkin
Participants: Glenn Larkin - LarChem LLC, Justin Duma - Arxada and Doug Herdman - Koppers

An AWPA Workshop: Understanding and Applying the AWPA Visual Rating Scale

The AWPA visual rating scale, as described in multiple AWPA E-Standards, is central to the standardization process. Data sets generated from efficacy studies are essential in establishing the performance of wood preservative systems, and this data is critical to the initial standardization process. The visual rating scale is also used to demonstrate continued wood preservative system performance for reaffirmation of existing standards. In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of the rating scale and have the opportunity to apply it to different representative samples. The workshop provides insight to those who would not ordinarily be engaged in the hands-on use of the rating scale and will demonstrate what the data means and how it can inform the decision-making process.

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Closing Reception at Soprana Rooftop Restaurant (Badge Required)

Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Oregon State University Environmental Performance of Treated Wood Research Cooperative Annual Meeting - Location: French Broad 1 & 2