IWPA Announces Oliver as Keynote Speaker for World of Wood 2005

Furniture World News

The International Wood Products Association announced the keynote speaker for its 2005 World of Wood Convention to be held March 9-11, at the Westin Harbor Hotel, Savannah, Georgia. The three day event will focus on “Changing Global Markets and Supply Trends.” The keynote speaker at the Opening General Session will be Rupert Oliver, Director of Forest Industries Intelligence Ltd, a consulting company providing market research services and counsel to clients on a wide range of industry issues. He is editor of hardwoodmarkets.com, an independent monthly trade magazine that enjoys a wide subscription base from more than 40 countries worldwide. In addition to being a keen observer and analyst of the international wood products trade, Oliver is also an active opinion leader within the industry. He is well-known for his hard-hitting and insightful commentary on the industry, environmental lobby and government regulators. Attendees at World of Wood 2005 can expect to hear a frank, intelligent and stimulating briefing on market and non-market influences that are shaping the future of the wood products trade. “Rupert’s newsletter, hardwoodmarkets.com, is always on the top of my reading list. It has the information and analysis that I need in order to stay informed about the rapidly changing global marketplace. Rupert’s presentation alone is worth the price of admission,” Jim Ballin, President of IWPA, said. Other presentations at the convention will cover time-sensitive topics like the new wood packing guidelines, port security, and customs requirements and what importers must do to comply, and how architects and designers are driving imported wood use growth in the US. Networking abounds during the convention, with multiple opportunities intermixed with product table-top exhibits. More than 250 members and non-members of IWPA, including North American importers, offshore manufacturers/exporters from more than 20 countries, wood products trade marketing groups, wholesalers, and service providers (shipping lines, ports, logistics companies) are expected to attend this year’s convention. For more information on the convention, including preliminary schedule, registration and hotel reservation forms, visit www.iwpawood.org/convention.asp The International Wood Products Association, established in 1956, is the leading international trade association for the North American imported wood products industry, representing 188 companies and trade associations engaged in the import of hardwoods and softwoods from sustainably managed forests. Association members consist of three key groups involved in the import process: Offshore manufacturers, U.S. importers and the service providers that facilitate trade.