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4 LBMAO Reporter - March-April 2026 www.lbmao.on.caBARBARA SCHERINGLBMAO Chair of the BoardCashierPRO Retail Systems Inc., North BaySPRING MOMENTUM andOPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD & LEARN TOGETHERLETTER FROM THE CHAIRMother Nature is giving us hints of Spring! The sky is getting light earlier and staying light later. Even when the temperature is well below freezing, on a sunny day you can feel the heat in the sun. The snow piles are dwindling, and Ontario consumers are making their shopping lists! For our members, spring represents far more than warmer temperatures. It marks the operational reset of our year. Planning undertaken during the winter %u2014 forecasting inventory, strengthening supplier partnerships, reviewing credit strategy, and supporting staff training %u2014 is now being put into action.This season also brings important opportunities for us to reconnect as an association.This year%u2019s Buying Show and Training Day arrives at the perfect moment; themed %u201cBuild and Learn Together,%u201d it is taking place April 8 to 10. The Buying Show is more than a marketplace %u2014 it is a forum for education, collaboration, and strengthening supplier relationships ahead of peak season. With supply chains stabilizing and consumer incentives driving renovation activity, retailers and suppliers will benefit from facetoface conversations, handson product demonstrations, and strategic buying opportunities.We will kick off our 2026 Golf Tour on May 21 at one of Ontario%u2019s most scenic courses, Smugglers Glen Golf Course %u2014 an event that continues to combine networking, relationshipbuilding, and well-earned camaraderie after the intensity of spring ramp-up. These gatherings reinforce what makes LBMAO strong: connection, shared insight, and collective advocacy.As yards grow busier and delivery boards fill, I encourage every member to lean into the collaborative strength of our association. Share insights. Benchmark performance. Support one another.Spring is here. The yards are active. And Ontario is building again.Winter is planning season. Spring is execution.Suppliers spend the winter negotiating pricing, manning booths at trade shows, attending AGMs and conferences. Dealers work closely with builder accounts to forecast framing packages, monitor subdivision timelines, and assess permit trends. Renovation contractors begin scheduling exterior projects. Landscapers prepare material lists for fencing, decking, and hardscaping. Consumers research how they are going to improve their home either by finding the right contractor or designing the area themselves. Improvements range from being as simple as a coat of paint or a few planters to renovating to allow multigenerational living. Whatever the project, the DIYers rely heavily on our retail members and expect everything to be available the minute they want it. Ontario consumers are entering 2026 with a more measured approach to spending. Interest rates have stabilized but remain higher than prepandemic norms, and household budgets are still stretched by elevated living costs. Yet the appetite for home improvement remains strong, driven by aging housing stock, deferred maintenance, and a growing preference for upgrading rather than moving.This spring, however, a new factor is shaping consumer behaviour: expanded provincial and federal renovation incentives. These programs are expected to meaningfully influence purchasing decisions and project planning throughout the 2026 season.Soon the Contractor desks will fill before 7 a.m. Dispatch boards will become crowded. Boom trucks will be booked days in advance. The early weeks of spring often set the pace for the entire second quarter.For many LBMAO members, meeting that initial surge with accuracy and efficiency is critical. Early delays can ripple through peak season. Strong execution builds contractor loyalty and longterm business.Events like the Buying Show in early April play an important role in that preparation. Dealers return to their yards with sharpened purchasing strategies, updated product knowledge, and renewed supplier connections %u2014 all of which strengthen performance during peak months.As members gather April 8%u201310 to %u201cBuild and Learn Together,%u201d and again on May 21 to launch the Golf Tour at Smugglers Glen