National Conference of Private Forest Landowners
Where Forestry Meets the French Quarter
Join us at the 2026 National Conference of Private forest Landowners
Join us at the 2026 National Conference of Private Forest Landowners
June 24-25, 2026 | the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, LA.
The National Conference of Private Forest Landowners is a prestigious event that brings together private forest landowners, industry leaders, and consulting foresters from across the country to discuss issues related to private forestland management. This conference serves as a platform for insightful discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities that are pivotal for shaping the future of the private forest sector.
Become a Conference Sponsor
Join industry leaders, landowners, and foresters at the premier event for private forest management. As a sponsor, your organization will gain unparalleled visibility, access to decision-makers, and the chance to showcase your commitment to sustainable forestland management.
Sponsorship Benefits:
✅Brand Exposure: Your logo featured in conference materials, including programs, posters, and promotions.
✅Exclusive Networking: Connect with key stakeholders, industry experts, and potential partners.
✅Thought Leadership: Present at workshops or panel discussions (available at select sponsorship levels).
✅Digital Visibility: Extensive exposure via our website, social media, and email communications.
✅Tailored Packages: Sponsorships to fit your marketing goals and budget.
2026 Conference Sponsors
Stay in the Center of the Action
At The Ritz-Carlton, located in the French Quarter of New Orleans
💲Rooms starting at $239 USD/night
📅Room rate available from Monday, June 22, 2026 to Saturday, June 27, 2026
📌Book your room by June 1, 2026.
Don’t wait rooms fill up quickly!
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, June 24
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Maison-Lafayette Foyer
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Grand Ballroom Pre-Function and Canal Rooms
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Audubon Room
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
THE STATE OF FLA AND THE FOREST LANDOWNERS FOUNDATION
Lee Wright
President, Forest Landowners Association
Scott Jones
CEO, Forest Landowners Association
Robert Crosby
Chairman, Forest Landowners Foundation
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
OPENING SPEAKER
Toni McAllister
Executive Director, Louisiana Loggers Association
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
THE FOREST LANDOWNER PANEL: NAVIGATING CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY
A longtime tradition at the national conference is a lively panel discussion of forest landowners that covers markets, succession, regulatory and policy issues, and everything that helps landowners better manage, monetize, and enjoy their property. Forest Landowner magazine editor Pete Williams moderates this discussion in which longtime landowners explore what it takes to succeed in a challenging and ever-changing world.
Pete Williams
Moderator, Forest Landowner Magazine
Earl Barrs
Co-Owner, Gully Branch Tree Farm
Steven Peter
President, South Paw Forest Products
Lee Wright
President, Forest Landowners Association
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Courtyard
Thursday, June 25
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
LaFayette Ballroom
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Grand Ballroom Pre-Function and Canal Rooms
8:30 AM – Noon
Grand Ballroom
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM
NEW MARKETS FOR SMALL-DIAMETER WOOD AND RESIDUALS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Making up for the lost demand for small-diameter wood and residuals is an existential threat to the forestry sector. While traditional timber markets remain stagnant, emerging opportunities in biomass, wood chips, and other residuals show real promise. During this panel discussion, we will explore new market opportunities and how we, as landowners, can assist in their development.
Scott Jones
Moderator, Forest Landowners Association
David LaMont
SunGas Renewables
Pete Madden
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
Matt White
Drax Group US
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
CONNECTING THE NEXT GENERATION
It’s often said that the further family members are from the land, the less connection they have. This is especially true with subsequent generations. In this panel, we show landowners how to record and preserve their family stories, sharing both the business and personal sides, so younger generations can better understand and connect with the land.
Pete Williams
Moderator, Forest Landowner Magazine
Harry T. Jones
Succession Planner
Tania Munz
Forest History Society
Rodger Rak
Besley & Rodgers
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Grand Ballroom Pre-Function
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
THE FOREST LANDOWNERS FOUNDATION AND YOU
We take a deep dive into the work of the Forest Landowners Foundation and its impact on private forest landowners. Specifically, how FLF provides certainty through its work to address markets (the wood chip grant), regulation/EUDR (Forest Factor), and the next generation of private forest landowners (Forest Policy Institute).
Scott Jones
Moderator, Forest Landowners Association
Alexander Avery
Larson & McGowin Inc.
Red Baker
University of Florida
Frank Peeples Jr.
Peeples Industries
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
LaFayette Ballroom
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
THE POLICY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OUTLOOK
FLA aggressively fights on behalf of private forest landowners in Washington, D.C. In this panel discussion, FLA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Craig Anderson and FLA consultant Palmer Schoening break down FLA’s policy priorities and progress while looking into their crystal ball at the November midterm elections.
Craig Anderson
Vice President of Government Affairs
Palmer Schoening
Family Business Coalition
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
THE FOREST LANDOWNER STORY
Over the last 15 years, Pete Williams has visited more than 50 private forest landowners in 22 states for articles in Forest Landowner magazine. These folks have generously shared their stories, and it’s provided an education to Pete, himself a forest landowner. In this brief, photo-driven presentation, he explains what he has learned.
Pete Williams
Editor, Forest Landowner Magazine
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Grand Ballroom Pre-function
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
PARTNERS ROUNDTABLE
State forestry associations serve as key strategic partners for the Forest Landowners Association. Though they represent a broader constituency than FLA, with its landowner-specific focus, the state associations share many common goals. In this panel, FLA VP of Government Affairs Craig Anderson examines the issues with the executive directors of three state forestry associations.
Casey Anderson
Mississippi Forestry Association
Rob Hughes
Texas Forestry Association
Buck Vandersteen
Louisiana Forestry Association
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Gallery Foyer – 1st Floor
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM
Lobby Spa – 1st Floor
6:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Latrobe’s on Royal