The major trade shows of the forest products industry get rolling in force over the next few months. During April-June, seven major equipment expositions will be held in the U.S.

            Dr. Ed Brindley, publisher of the Pallet Enterprise, will lead a special pallet educational session at the Sawlex show this year. Ed is a noted expert on industry trends and markets. Sawlex will be held May 29-30 in Morgantown, West Virginia. More details will be available in the near future. 

            Two major industry shows are moving this year to former locations that were known for successful shows in the past. The Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition (Expo) is returning to New Orleans after years of being in Atlanta. New Orleans was a popular destination in the past for its food and unique culture. Expo will be held June 11-13.

            The Midwest Forest Industry Show is moving back to Cape Girardeau, Missouri and will take place June 26-27. Both the Expo and the Midwest Forest Industry Show have catered to the pallet industry in off years from the Richmond Expo.

            There are a number of other good shows and events taking place this year. Despite the tough economy, shows give an opportunity to network with
others and look for solutions that can help position a company for the future. Consider attending some of these events as you plan your calendar for the rest of the year. 

            The Intermountain Logging Conference & Equipment Show will be
held April 2-4 in Spokane Valley, Washington.

            This year, for the first time, there will be two venues for the Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition, which normally is held annually but
at alternate locations in the Northeast. Organizers will hold one exposition April 3-4 in Watkins Glen, New York, a first for that region. The second show will take place May 1-2 in Bangor, Maine.

            The Timber 2009 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition will be held May 29-30 in Rock Springs, Penn., and Sawlex will be held May 29-30 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

            Two leading overseas trade shows are scheduled for late spring. The Dubai
International Wood & Wood Machinery Show will be held April 21-23 in
Dubai of the United Arab Emirates, and the Ligna+ Hannover World Trade Fair for the Forestry and Wood Industries is scheduled May 18-22 in Hannover, Germany.

            Another major overseas trade show, the Elmia Wood Forestry Fair, will be held the same month, June 3-6 in Jönköping, Sweden.

            The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers Fair is set for July 15-18 in Las Vegas, and then four popular trade shows in September. The Lake States Logging Congress is scheduled Sept. 10-12 in Escanaba, Michigan. The North Star Expo will be held Sept. 18-19 in Grand Rapids, Minn., and the Kentucky Wood Expo will be held Sept. 18-19 in London, Kentucky. The Forestry on the Grow Conference & Expo will take place Sept. 23-25 in Wagoner, Oklahoma.

            The year will close out with the Paul Bunyan Show Oct. 2-4 in Cambridge, Ohio.

            Two leading shows of the Northwest were held in February, the Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference & Equipment Exposition in California and the Oregon Logging Conference in Eugene, Oregon.

            The upcoming trade shows generally feature exhibits of equipment and machinery for logging, sawmills and lumber remanufacturing, although some may have a more narrow focus. The number of exhibitors may vary according to the venue and other factors.

            The Midwest Forest Industry Show likely will feature the largest exhibit of machinery and equipment for the pallet industry of all the trade shows in 2009.

            Some trade shows feature contests or competition among machinery manufacturers. For example, the Sawlex Show in West Virginia will feature competitions for manufacturers of portable sawmills and firewood processors.

            Many trade shows offer some type of educational program. For example, the Timber 2009 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition in Pennsylvania will feature more than 10 seminars on such topics as business management, marketing, workplace safety and improved environmental practices; these seminars are for loggers, lumber producers and secondary wood processors.

            The conference associated with the Expo in New Orleans will feature a
series of educational sessions under three main headings: sawmill efficiencies, wood bioenergy and cutting tools. Trade show admission fees may or
may not include attendance for educational programs.

            Also, don’t miss the presentation by Dr. Ed Brindley on the pallet industry at this year’s Sawlex show.

            For more information on any of these trade shows, see the accompanying list with contact phone numbers and Web site addresses.