Mill Tours
The Mill Tour is a progressive, educational, and entertaining group tour designed specifically for LBM professionals.
Embrace autumn's beauty on our exclusive 5–6-day expedition to a new U.S. locale each year. Immerse yourself in the heart of sawmills, forests, timber projects, and gain insider access to behind-the-scenes tours at top-tier building product facilities. Each journey promises a distinct adventure, blending education with leisure.
Tailored with lumberyard professionals in mind, our tours cater to owners, managers, and partners, including retired dealers seeking fresh insights. While our core attendees stem from our membership base, we extend a warm invitation to lumberyards nationwide. Averaging 25–50 participants per trip, our vibrant community unites novices and veterans alike, ensuring diverse networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Don't miss the chance to be part of this enriching experience. Contact Jodie for more information at jodie@bldconnection.org or (763) 595-4058.
LBM Suppliers - Be a Mill Tour Host!
Does your company have a building material manufacturing facility? Do you love to educate buyers on your company culture and how your products are made? Are you looking for a fantastic marketing opportunity in which you'll have the undivided attention of dozens of lumberyard dealers?
If you answered YES, you may be the perfect Mill Tour host for us! Contact us at (888) 544-6822 to discuss and be considered for upcoming opportunities.
2024 BLD Connection Mill Tour - Oregon
September 22-27, 2024
Join BLD Connection this September for an unforgettable Mill Tour in the scenic and geographically diverse state of Oregon! With moody coastlines, windswept beaches, rugged mountains with lush forests, vineyard-filled valleys, dunes & desert, breathtaking waterfalls, hip cities, charming small towns and so much more, we can see why this is a bucket list destination for so many. Add in an incredibly rich timber history (Oregon is the largest producer of softwood lumber in the country), that makes it a no-brainer choice to return to for a Mill Tour!
This event is still in the early planning stages, but attendees can expect to experience several of Oregon’s diverse regions and points of interest as well as several lumber and building material related behind-the-scenes tours during our week together. Full details including the route, agenda, pricing, inclusions, etc. will be available in late May, with registration opening on or near June 1.
If you want a head start on reserving your spot and want to be put on this year’s waiting list (these tours sell out!), or if you just have questions, reach out to Jodie Fleck at jodie@bldconnection.org or (763) 595-4058.
2023 Adirondack/Northern New York Mill Tour Recap
In the heart of the picturesque Adirondacks and the scenic landscapes of Northern New York, BLD Connection hosted its 2023 Mill Tour. From September 24 to September 28, 36 active and retired lumber professionals and their spouses embarked on an unforgettable trip filled with education, camaraderie, and breathtaking beauty.
This year’s Mill Tour was a five-day excursion that took us to various captivating locations, each offering a unique glimpse into the history of lumber and forestry. The group got to learn about forestry and conservation from visiting the Museum on Blue Lake, Paul Smiths College Forestry Department, Saratoga Tree Nursery, and Hanford Mills Museum. These tours helped us gain a deeper understanding of milling and sustainability as well as providing some historic perspective to our industry.
We also got to enjoy the natural beauty of Upstate New York by hiking at the SUNY-ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center, taking a gondola to the top of the Olympic Ski Jump Complex in Lake Placid, visiting the historic Van Ostrande-Radliff House and exploring Saratoga Springs. We finished out the tour by stopping at Fly Creek Cider Mill for refreshments and had some time to explore Albany before heading home.
