The Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo (Loggers’ Expo) will return to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, May 16-17. The annual forestry equipment expo, organized by the Northeastern Logger’s Association (NELA), alternates between Bangor, Maine, and Essex Junction, Vermont, each year.

This year’s lineup features over 150 exhibiting companies—from firewood processors and portable sawmills to large forestry equipment dealers that showcase the latest CAT, John Deere, Komatsu, Tigercat models, and more. There will also be exhibitors from a variety of lumber mills and specialty parts and accessories companies.

Events at Loggers’ Expo include the Weiler Loader Competition, which pits experienced machine operators against each other in a timed log loading challenge (all proceeds go to Log A Load For Kids), and performances by the Axe Women Loggers of Maine, where world champion female logging sports athletes—a team of choppers, sawyers, logrollers and axe throwers—put their awe-inspiring timber sports skills on display. A new addition to the entertainment this year is the Komatsu Forwarder Challenge. During this event, loggers navigate Komatsu forwarders through a challenging course that includes loading logs into the machine’s bunk, moving logs between poles, and stacking logs as they compete for prizes.

Expo organizers are also pleased to announce educational offerings on Friday, May 16. Forest economist Eric Kingsley will give a northeast forest industry market update (The Northeast Forest Industry – The Case for Optimism, 10:00 am), and David Wine of Shaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants will lead a hydraulics workshop (Hydraulics Basics: The Ins and Outs of Lubricants, Hydraulic Systems and Safety, 1:00 pm) covering equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, and more. The $10 fee per seminar will be donated to Log A Load For Kids.

On the evening before the Loggers’ Expo, Thursday, May 15, the Northeastern Loggers’ Association will host its Annual Awards Banquet, sponsored by Farm Credit East, honoring significant achievements in the forest products industry, including Outstanding Logging Operator, Outstanding Sawmill Operator, Outstanding Industry Advocate, and more. This year, NELA is pleased to welcome stand-up comedian Mike Speirs as our entertainment after the dinner and awards presentations. Mike is a comedian who tours nationally and is known for his captivating storytelling and irresistible charm, making him a crowd favorite wherever he performs. Anyone interested in attending can purchase tickets through the Expo registration portal.

Doors open at the Loggers’ Expo at 9:00 am on the first day Friday, May 16, and exhibits and activities continue on Saturday, May 17 until 4:00 p.m. Registration for the Expo is $15 per person and includes admission both days. Admission is free for kids under age 16. There will be a variety of refreshments and meals available from food stands, and visitors can purchase Northern Logger merchandise at the Northern Logger store.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged. To pre-register, visit the registration portal at https://loggers-expo.eventregistration.io/step-1-prelim

For more information about the Expo, visit northernlogger.com/loggers-expo-2025