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8 Pallet C e nt ral • No vem be r-D e cem be r 2 0 24 A s the year draws to a close, we naturally reflect on our accomplishments and how they align with our goals and long-term objectives. More importantly, we look ahead to ensure these achievements lay the foundation for sustained growth and greater impact in the future. I am incredibly proud of our team and the progress we've made in advancing our strategic priorities. ese successes are a collective effort, a testament to the commitment of our members and the strength of our association. Some highlights include: • Record membership • Record event attendance (with broad international representation) • Record number of countries with members • Record funding for the Pallet Foundation (supporting more projects than ever) • Record contributions to our Political Action Committee (supporting more candidates) Why does growth matter for a nonprofit association like ours? Simply put, it allows us to do more for you. Our association is built by the industry, for the industry. When someone licenses PDS, that investment goes back into the industry. When someone attends an event, that support strengthens the entire community. at's why a clear, visionary strategic plan is so critical. I applaud your elected Board of Directors for crafting a long- term plan more than a decade ago— and for their continued commitment to refining it each year. Just this October, they made significant updates to reflect our evolving landscape. Our unifying vision is to bring the global wood transport packaging industry closer together. For example, we recently signed an agreement with Brazil's leading wood industry group for closer collaboration, much like our partnerships with Canada, the UK/Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. We presented to their board, pallet committee, and convention in Curitiba, Brazil, further reinforcing our expanding global role. Similarly, meetings in Mexico, Brazil, and Europe have underscored NWPCA's central position in global advocacy and the strategic leadership of our industry. Looking ahead to 2025, we'll continue expanding our reach in the US, Mexico, Latin America, and beyond. We've bolstered our public affairs presence in Washington, DC, and Europe, and we've doubled the number of PDS workshops, including the first-ever held in Mexico and the UK. Additionally, we're launching a new membership onboarding and engagement program to support our rapid growth. We're starting 2025 on a high note with our Annual Leadership Conference in Napa Valley, March 26–28, 2025. I encourage you to attend, get involved, and help us continue driving your vision forward. Sincerely, Brent McClendon, CAE NWPCA President & CEO Our Future. Your Vision. A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Fun Fact When not doing his CEO stuff, Brent can be found hiking trails, hunting waterfalls, or just getting outside. Maybe it was his time as a forester, but don't try to keep him indoors too long. A frequent traveler who prefers good old-fashioned books to Kindles, his most recent read was House of Rain by Craig Childs, a book that tracks the vanished Anasazi civilization across the American Southwest, with the author traversing rugged terrains, canyons, and remote locations. It sounds like something Brent would like to do on his next vacation.

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