A number of forest products industry trade shows and machinery expositions are scheduled for 2004.

            The leading trade show for the pallet industry in 2004 will be the East Coast Sawmill & Logging Equipment Exposition in Richmond, Va., also known as the Richmond Expo.

            The Richmond Expo, co-sponsored by the Virginia Forest Products Association and the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Service, will be held June 3-4. This biennial trade show will be the largest showcase of logging, sawmill, pallet, and related machinery and equipment in the Eastern U.S. in 2004. In fact, the Richmond Expo is the biggest pallet machinery show in the world.

            The Richmond Expo, held on the grounds of Richmond International Raceway (former site of the Virginia State Fair), will feature 14 acres of outdoor exhibits and hundreds of indoor booths. The trade show provides over 500,000 square feet for active equipment demonstrations, exhibits and displays.

            Another leading trade show of the forest products industry is the Wood Technology Clinic & Show, scheduled March 17-19 in Portland, Ore. Other events scheduled in the West include the Oregon Logging Conference & Equipment Exposition Feb. 25-28 in Eugene, Ore. and the Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference & Equipment Show Feb. 12-14 in Reno, Nev.

            In the Northeast and the Northern Tier States, the Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition returns to Springfield, Mass. April 30-May 1, and the Lake States Logging Congress will be held Sept. 9-11 in Green Bay, Wis. These annual trade shows alternate from year to year with other venues in their respective regions; the Northeastern show in other years is held in Maine and the Logging Congress moves to Michigan. In addition, the Wisconsin Professional Loggers Association Logger Expo will be held June 11-12 at a location to be announced.

            A new trade show is coming to the South, the In-Woods Expo, which will be held April 30-May 1 in Hot Springs, Ark. This ‘live’ exposition of logging equipment is being sponsored by the Forest Resources Association and the Arkansas Timber Producers Association.

            Also scheduled for 2004: the Oklahoma Forestry Conference & Equipment Expo April 27-29 in Wagner, Okla., the Kentucky Wood Expo Sept. 18-19 in London, Ky., and the Paul Bunyan Show Oct. 1-3 in Nelsonville, Oh.

            A related trade show, the International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair, is scheduled Aug. 26-29 in Atlanta.

            In Canada, one of the leading forest products industry trade shows will be Techni-Bois April 29-30 in Quebec City.