This year’s American Hardwood European Conference (20th – 21st October at the Marriott Hotel, Copenhagen) will provide a platform for American hardwood exporters and the European trade to discuss and debate the challenges and opportunities both industries face, by addressing current issues and future developments.
On Thursday 20th October, the conference will open with an overview of how AHEC Europe is working to create a bright and promising future for U.S. hardwoods by inspiring decision makers and creating new products for the built environment. This will include a session on the globalisation of the hardwood trade focussing on the U.S. domestic market, Europe, and of course China.
The AHEC Europe team led by David Venables, AHEC European Director, will look to the future markets for American hardwoods and showcase AHEC Europe’s creation of promotional tools and messages aimed at accessing these markets. This includes the promotion of underutilised species, targeting of specific markets and increasing species options and new applications as well as the redeveloped website, new publications and a refreshed format of the American Hardwood Environmental Profile (AHEP).
AHEC Europe and Andrew Lawrence, Arup Engineers, will discuss new markets for American hardwoods in construction. This will include the story behind “The Smile” project, the impressive timber installation created for the London Design Festival using for the first time, industrial sized panels of American tulipwood cross-laminated timber (CLT), a project that will represent a huge step forward for the use of hardwood in structural applications. The installation is due to be unveiled to the public outside Chelsea College of Arts, London on Saturday 17th September and will be open until 10th October.
The focus on Friday 21st October will be an educational seminar for buyers and users of American hardwood. Rupert Oliver will start by presenting an overview of the American hardwood resource: where it grows, how it’s managed and why it is both a legal and sustainable resource. He will also tackle the challenge buyers face in satisfying EUTR due diligence requirements.
The focus will then switch to market developments driving new demand. Neil Summers, Timber Dimension, will share the latest information on the growing markets for thermally modified hardwoods and the opportunities they present for U.S. hardwoods.
AHEC European Conference 2016 Programme & Registration
