Inaugural Jackson conference to focus on timber business

Contact: Sammy McDavid

Several major financial aspects of the timber industry will be examined in detail Sept. 24 during the 2004 Timber Accounting and Taxation Conference in Jackson.

Sponsored for the first time by Mississippi State University's School of Accountancy, the daylong program will be held at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center, which is located adjacent to the Mississippi Coliseum.

Adrian M. Blocker and William C. Siegel will be featured speakers. Blocker's topic will be "Forest Resources: A Global Perspective"; Siegel's, "Legislative and Administrative Developments."

Blocker, an Oktibbeha County native and 2003 MSU College of Forest Resources Alumnus of the Year, is the Georgia-based director of strategic planning for International Paper Co. Siegel is a Louisiana attorney with an international reputation for his expertise in timber accounting and related subjects.

"This conference is designed to benefit a wide variety of individuals who work with the timber industry in Mississippi and other states," said School of Accountancy director Danny Hollingsworth. "These include timberland owners, certified public accountants, attorneys, and foresters, among others."

During a noon luncheon, former governor William F. Winter will provide a historical perspective of the state's multi-million dollar timber and wood products industry.

Other areas scheduled to be covered during the conference include:

Challenges of family land ownership;

Structuring timber ownership for taxation and other financial matters;

Use value for forestry lands;

Conservation easements;

Institutional investments in timber; and

Maximizing timber assets (or knowing when to sell, when to buy).

The $225 attendance fee includes the cost of lunch and numerous information hand-outs.

Continuing professional education credit will be available for some participants who attend.

The School of Accountancy is a major unit of MSU's College of Business and Industry.

For more information or to register, telephone (662) 325-0705 or visit www.ce.msstate.edu/conferences/timber_taxation.html.

NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: To reach Dr. Hollingsworth for additional comments in advance of the conference, telephone 662-325-3710.