Newsflash: SLB COVID-19 Response and Program Updates

We want you to know that the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, which, as you are aware, is changing rapidly. The health and safety of our staff, our investors, and our partners, as well as those attending events that we sponsor, are important to us. As such, we have taken the following steps:

Staff Travel
All staff travel has been suspended for the time being. We will re-evaluate this in mid-April based on guidance from local health authorities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.

May Board of Directors Meeting
As of now, the SLB’s May Board of Directors meeting (May 20-21) is proceeding as planned, but we will re-evaluate and advise one month out from the scheduled dates based on travel restrictions that may be in place at that time.

Think Wood Mobile Tour
The SLB is suspending the Think Wood Mobile Tour. With states of emergency being imposed in several states and events being canceled nationwide, it is prudent to do so. To date, only one event on the tour calendar has been affected, the Mass Timber Conference in Portland, but it is possible that others will be canceled, postponed, or rescheduled.

WoodWorks
With an intense schedule, involving a 12-week planning and attendee-acquisition timeline for each event, WoodWorks is postponing all large in-person events until Q3 2020. The team is quickly pivoting to offer additional remote education and is ready and available for project support. Team members are working diligently to negotiate and minimize expenses related to the canceled and rescheduled events. Right now, the team at WoodWorks doesn’t expect significant budget implications or impact to program metrics but is watching the situation closely.

SLB staff will continue to monitoring and adjusting activities based on guidance from authorities on risk assessment and mitigation protocols. As necessary, the SLB will provide updates via email and on www.softwoodlumberboard.org.

If you have any questions about the tour or events, please contact Ryan Flom, flom@softwoodlumberboard.org.