January 24-26th 2026 | Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
From Timber to Tech: Transforming Wood with Smart Solutions
Discover how technology continues to reshape our industry. The 2026 WPA Annual Meeting "From Timber to Tech" will spotlight the innovations & insights that boost your company competitiveness, help you develop new leaders, and guide you through the opportunities and pitfalls that are part of this rapidly evolving market and economy.
The Beautiful Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Surrounded by mountain views and desert beauty, the resort offers the perfect balance of relaxation and inspiration. Attendees enjoy modern meeting spaces, a full-service spa, and world-class golf - all just steps from the event. It’s an inviting setting to explore the WPA Annual Meeting, connect with industry peers and create new opportunities
2026 Annual Meeting Speaker Program
Kyle Hermans | Be Courageous LLC
Kyle has collectively advised, facilitated, coached, trained, and keynoted to more than 1000 + companies, including 300+ of the Fortune 1000 and their leaders in 82+ countries across a broad range of industries. His work and impact are infused with 25+ years of science-backed research, market, customer, and employee insights, driven by collective purpose and global impact in everything he does.
"Right now we are in a state of rapid change and increasing complexity humanity has never experienced before, the core foundations of how we live, work, interact, play, lead and believe are being disrupted and reshaped by technology and algorithms. Over the next five years we will experience the same amount of change humans experienced over the last 100 years. With competing priorities, distraction, burnout and mental health on the rise, it is crucial for leaders and teams to reconnect to the power their power of choice, purpose, focus and to what is essential and matters the most. It is now time to lead with essentialism and elevate to the next level."
Antonio Gallotta & Ian Templeton | Fastmarkets
As representatives for Fastmarkets (publishers of Random Lengths) Mr. Gallotta and Mr. Templeton will deliver a data-rich exploration of the pallet markets. This speaker session will examine current trends, trade dynamics, tariffs, regulations, and the role of technology in shaping costs and supply.
Drawing on Fastmarkets’ proprietary datasets and forward-looking analysis, they will offer attendees a clear understanding of how global and domestic pressures - from shifting trade agreements to evolving consumer demand - are influencing pallet inputs, production, and pricing. Designed for leaders at every level of the industry, this session will highlight risks to watch, strategies to navigate volatility, and opportunities for a competitive advantage in 2026 and beyond.
Niree Kodaverian | Beacon Economics
Dr. Niree Kodaverian is a Research Manager at Beacon Economics, where she leads data research and analysis across the firm’s key practice areas. She is the author of the firm’s widely distributed Beacon Outlook California, a trusted resource used by businesses, policymakers, and the media seeking insights on the state’s economy.
She is highly adept at working with complex datasets to uncover underlying economic trends and relationships, and has successfully managed large-scale research projects spanning topics as diverse as clean energy storage, minimum wage and rent control policies, and the economic impacts of public and private sector investments.
Chaille Brindley | Pallet Enterprise
Chaille Brindley, Publisher of Pallet Enterprise and TimberLine magazines, will deliver an in-depth look at the innovations transforming the pallet industry. With more than 25 years of experience reporting on the sector, Brindley brings unmatched perspective on how automation, sustainability, recycling advances, and digital tools are reshaping pallet production and supply chains.
His session will examine disruptive technologies, shifting customer expectations, and the growing role of data in optimizing pallet use and recovery. Attendees will gain insights into which innovations are driving value today, how they are influencing market dynamics, and what they signal for the industry’s future. Designed to inform both business leaders and operational teams, this session will highlight risks, opportunities, and strategies for navigating change while positioning companies for long-term success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.