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Timber Expo aims to inform and inspire The UK timber sector’s premier exhibition continues to go from strength to strength as the industry gets right behind it “If the timber industry can act together, it can achieve big things.” That is the consistent mantra from TRADA Marketing Manager Rupert Scott as he continues to urge timber businesses to back the new Timber Expo show and realise the collective benefits of conveying the strengths and innovative nature of the timber industry.
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27 & 28 September 2011 Venue The Ricoh Arena, Coventry 6,000m2 Jaguar Exhibition Halls At least 100 exhibitors Target 5,000 visitors from the UK and overseas In Touch with Timber conference integral to the show The Wood Awards 2011 co-located at the Ricoh Timber Buyers Forum launched FREE Timber Talk seminars Timber Tours hourly
Timber Expo is backed by TRADA Technology with International Timber and The American Hardwood Export Council announced as major sponsors – and B&K Structures, Grainger Sawmills, Swift Training School and Timbmet all taking gold sponsor packages too. Add to this the silver sponsors – Coillte, GangNail, Norbord, and Lathams – and you can see that the event is really gaining momentum and gravitas.
products, from flooring, cladding and decking, to timber frame, SIPs, glulam, LVL, cross-laminated and timber protection products.” He added, “Visitors are to be offered tours of the show tailored to their requirements, so they could see cutting-edge products most relevant to their business. “
Numerous companies have taken bronze sponsor packages and many more companies have taken standard exhibition space and taken advantage of the competitive and comprehensive packages on offer.
An added visitor attraction will be TRADA’s annual In Touch With Timber (ITWT) Conference, which is being relocated to the Ricoh from its established London venue.
“We see Timber Expo presenting a vision for timber in construction – and without a vision businesses perish,” Mr Scott said. “But we need the industry to be engaged. It needs the timber industry to be with us and will only succeed if it’s a show for the industry, with the industry.”
“The conference will be an integral component,” said Mr Scott, adding that TRADA aims to have some big name architects and engineers among the speakers. The format for the Conference is being invigorated too. ITWT will be modular, permitting delegates to choose key modules/themes that they wish to attend and dip in and out to suit their requirements, thereby permitting plenty of time to view the exhibition in parallel.
TRADA chief executive Andrew Abbott said the show is needed to provide face-to-face contact between the timber supply chain and its customers across the building sector. “The aim is to provide a forum for easy knowledge transfer, to show the best the timber industry can offer; the products and services that can help bring building projects to life and persuade the sector to use timber more often.” Timber Expo is also aiming for 5,000 visitors from across the timber using and specifying sectors – both in the UK and internationally. To hit that target, it will need to be “more than an event where people walk up and down corridors putting product leaflets in a carrier bag”, said Mr Scott. “We must have an event with breadth and depth that both informs and inspires the audience,” he said. “We need it to be a showcase for innovative
In another major step forward for the industry, The Wood Awards will now be co-located with Timber Expo – providing a celebration of timber in architecture and ground-breaking structural engineering. Add to this the Timber Talks seminar programme and the dynamic Timber Buyers Forum, designed to facilitate B2B transactional meetings, and you begin to get a flavour for the stimulating event that Timber Expo will be. The venue for the event – the Ricoh Arena in Coventry – has been selected for its modern facilities, central location and easy access by road and rail. Exhibitors will have a wide choice of meeting and seminar rooms and the option of having an exhibit in a product showcase area. Exhibitors are even provided a Literature Consolidation service and a Stand Graphic