AWPA e-Newsletter: January 2026
2026 AWPA Annual Meeting
We are thrilled to announce the 2026 AWPA Annual Meeting will be held in gorgeous Asheville, North Carolina from April 26-30, 2026! Asheville is a vibrant, eclectic mountain city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its stunning natural beauty, thriving arts scene, diverse culinary landscape (especially breweries and New Appalachian cuisine) and historic Art Deco architecture. It has a lively, walkable downtown and is a gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering a blend of mountain charm and bohemian culture. The meeting hotel is truly in the heart of it all with restaurants and entertainment just a few steps away. The Biltmore makes for a great day trip nearby, and we will be offering a tour to the spouses/guests.
The AWPA Annual Meeting arrangements committee is putting together an excellent technical program and social events for the 2026 Annual Meeting, a list of sessions and speakers is available on the meeting webpage.
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 dispay 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: email@awpa.com. Or peruse our informational flyer online.
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--the deadline will be March 13 or when space has run out.
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
Membership Renewals
The 2026 AWPA membership renewal period is now open.
2026 Regular membership dues are $310. You may log into the AWPA Member Portal to renew online. Once you're logged in to your personal (not company) profile, you will see a bell with a red circle near the top right corner. Move your mouse over this icon and click the Renew Membership option to start the renewal process. If you prefer to renew by fax or mail, please let us know and we will be glad to send you a printable invoice.
If you're not currently an AWPA member, please consider applying for membership. For more information visit the "Why should I join AWPA?" page on our website.
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
In addition to membership dues and publication sales, AWPA relies heavily upon voluntary contributions from organizations that support AWPA's mission and goals. Through our Organizational Sponsorship Program, AWPA recognizes its sponsors at meetings, on the website, in publications, and in other printed materials. If your organization is an AWPA Sponsor in 2025, your organization's sponsorship contact person will have already received a renewal notice by email. If your organization did not receive a renewal notice, please let us know and we will send you one. Sponsorships may also be purchased in the AWPA web store. If you are not currently a sponsor and you're able to support AWPA financially, please visit the "become a sponsor" web page.
2025 AWPA Book of Standards
The 2025 AWPA Book of Standards is available for purchase!
As a non-profit standards development organization, the proceeds from Book of Standards sales provide much-needed funding for our standards development process. Every treating plant, laboratory, specifier, and inspector should have a current edition on-hand, so please be sure to purchase updated copies each year to ensure you are following the most up-to-date standards and to help AWPA cover the cost of standards development. Congratulations to Jacob McBrayer (Koppers) for providing the winning cover photo of Yellowstone National Park! The new 2025 edition is available in two versions:
A 698-page printed book which may be purchased online at the AWPA Store, or by mail or fax.
A searchable online version which requires a paid subscription for access. Single-user and multi-user subscriptions are available for purchase through the AWPA store subscription page. After purchase, standards may be accessed online through the AWPA Standards Library.
Call for Papers/Presenters: 2026 Annual Meeting
The AWPA Annual Meeting arrangements committee is putting together an excellent technical program and if you would like to present a paper during one of the many Technical Sessions, please submit a working title and a list of authors as soon as possible. Contact AWPA if you have any questions or need additional information. There will be scheduled sessions related to Artificial Intelligence, Treated Wood Resiliency, Current Innovations, and Quality Control.
In Memorium
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the following AWPA members and friends. We extend our sincere condolences to their family, friends and business associates.
Pete Gaskin: Pete joined AWPA in 1986, and served on the Executive Committee from 1977-1985, with a term as President from 1982-1983. Pete was a valued supporter of AWPA and will be remembered for his boundless energy and love of the outdoors.
Eric Stoll: Eric was a more recent member of AWPA, joining after founding Old South Wood Preserving in 2021. He grew the mill into a thriving plant and will be remembered for both his entrepreneurial spirit and his dedication to friends, family and co-workers.
Jay Hilsenbeck: Jay joined AWPA in 2010, joined the EC in 2021 and was serving as the AWPA Past President when he passed in late 2025. Jay was a smart, funny and loyal friend who tirelessly supported AWPA and was always ready to lend and ear or lead a toast.
At AWPA, our members are our greatest asset, and these gentlemen will all be greatly missed.
New AWPA Members
and a Warm Welcome to AWPA's Newest Members:
Jeroen Hinnen, Jartek Invest
Nicholas Penrose, BYK USA
Dan Tingley, Wood Research and Development
William Kuester, MidSouth Tag and Label
Garrett Webster, Washington State DoT
Upcoming AWPA Meetings
Winter 2026 Executive Committee Meeting
January 21, 2026
Bartow, Florida, Hosted by ProWood
2026 AWPA Annual Meeting
Embassy Suites/Doubletree in the Heart of Downtown
Asheville, North Carolina / April 26-30, 2026
Spring 2026 Executive Committee Meeting
April 26, 2026
Asheville, North Carolina
SAVE THE DATE:
2026 Technical Committee Meeting
Orlando, Florida / September 13-17, 2026