EUGENE, Oregon – Professionals in the forestry industry gathered for three days of networking, education, and social activities at the 88th annual Oregon Logging Conference in February.

This year’s event at the Lane Events Center and Fairground drew more exhibitors, both inside and outside, and greater attendance. The conference is the largest logging, trucking, equipment and construction show west of the Mississippi River.

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Responsible Forestry Today, Healthy Forests Tomorrow.’

“This year’s show was a testament to an industry that continues to show up for one another to meet old friends, share new ideas, and really just have fun,” said Mike McKibbin, president of the 2026 conference and director of Western resources for Stimson Lumber Co.

“Our goal each year is to showcase the latest technologies in logging, discuss current topics, promote our industry through educational outreach, and become a place that families can enjoy,” he added. “I think we checked all of those boxes in 2026.”

McKibbin expressed his appreciation to exhibitors, the conference board of directors and staff, and volunteers. “Their dedication and collaborative spirit are what makes OLC what it is,” he said.

The keynote speaker was Jacque Buchanan, U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester for Region 6 (Oregon and Washington). She spoke about partnerships with the timber industry and, for the first time in a long time, having tools to implement a streamlined timber harvesting program.

More than $32,000 in ticket sales and cash and in-kind donations was raised at the 22nd annual Desserts for Dreams luncheon. Conference First Lady Angela McKibbin selected Compassion Tillamook as this year’s charity to benefit from the annual fundraiser. Compassion Tillamook is a non-profit organization that provides medical, dental and other services for those in need at an annual clinic at the Tillamook Fairgrounds. A special shampoo, soap, and other toiletries drive was part of the luncheon this year, and all donations were distributed at the clinic. “It has been a wonderful experience to be part of OLC and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” McKibbin said.

More than $26,000 was raised in an auction to benefit the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation scholarship program. Auction items included a safari, paintings and other art, truck tires and seats, chainsaws, and more. Since the foundation’s scholarship program was established in 1968, more than $1.5 million has been awarded to deserving students pursuing careers in the timber industry.

More than 700 students, educators, and industry professionals participated in the 8th annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day, held in conjunction with the conference. High school students from more than two dozen Oregon schools attended this interactive and hands-on career day, learning about logging, forestry, reforestation, sawmills, wildland firefighting, diesel mechanics, and operating heavy equipment.

One of the activities at Future Forestry Workers Career Day was the high school forestry skills relay. Seventeen teams from 10 Oregon schools competed in the four-skills relay, which included hose lay, choker setting, crosscut sawing, and chainsaw use.

TimberWest publisher Anthony Robinson and sales representative Edna Tainsh draw names for prizes as part of the company’s sponsorship of the Sawdust Bowl.

The event is coordinated by Future Natural Resource Leaders, a high school student leadership organization focused on developing students’ potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through natural resources education.

In the annual Log Loader Competition, with contestants demonstrating their skills on a Link-Belt 4040-B machine, the top three winners were within 15 seconds of each other. First and second place were captured by two people who work for Bryant Logging in Beavercreek, Oregon. Jeremy Staats won first place with a time of 3:22:72, and second place went to Zane Bryant with a time of 3:26:28. Third place was Justin Jakola, 3:33:76, who works with Rice Logging in Sweet Home, Oregon. Visitors to the conference had the opportunity to guess the net scale of two loads of logs with the winner of each receiving a $250 Cabela’s gift card donated by Swanson Bros and Melcher Logging.

One winner was Richard Beers II (with assistance from his father, Richard Beers). He and two others guessed the exact net scale of 7,420. (In the case of a tie, the names are put into a hat and one name is drawn.) The logs were provided by Swanson Bros. on a Leonard Maser Trucking log truck.

The winner who guessed the net scale of a load of chip and saw logs was Corey Copeland. His name was drawn after he and one other person were tied; their guesses were 5,670, and the net scale was 5,640. The logs were provided by Sierra Pacific Industries on a Gene Whitaker Inc. log truck.

Families and members of the public turned out in large numbers on the final day of the conference, known as Family Day. One of the new activities this year, which was very popular, was an opportunity to take a virtual tour of a working forest. Other popular Family Day activities included building wooden birdhouses, live wildlife, free seedling giveaways, face painting, balloons, art projects, and other hands-on forestry-related opportunities.

“Saturday we are joined by our industry’s families as well as being open to the public, which provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about who we are and what we do and meet many of the professionals who make their living in this industry,” said Rikki Wellman, OLC manager. “Our conference is also a place where forestry and natural resource professionals can socialize and network with others in the industry.”

Conference organizers thanked this year’s sponsors, many of whom support the conference every year; without their support, the conference would not be possible.

The 2027 Oregon Logging Conference will be held Feb. 25-27.