01 December 2007

Dubai Woodshow 2008 – the largest wood and wood machinery exhibition in the Middle East scheduled to take place from February 5 to 7 next year at the Dubai Airport Expo in Dubai – is set to achieve a 100 per cent growth in exhibitor participation, according to the show’s organiser.

To accommodate the significant boost in exhibitor participation, Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, the event organiser, has moved the event to a larger exhibition space spread over 16,000 sq ft and announced that visitor turnout is expected to grow to 150 per cent in comparison to the previous edition.
Exhibitors from more than 25 countries will participate at the show displaying the latest in products and services varying from plywood, medium-density fibreboard, veneer, laminates, parquet, and paper and treatment products to wood and woodworking machinery.
Maintaining its popularity among a distinct group of established construction professionals, Dubai Woodshow 2008 is set to attract a large number of interior designers, architects, engineers, timber merchants, furniture and building material manufacturers, carpenters, wholesale dealers and retailers, says the organiser.
“Dubai Woodshow 2008 has built a reputation as a powerful platform to gather high-profile attendees by showcasing innovative technology development and state-of-the-art equipment in the wood industry, thereby attracting both regional and international players from the US, Spain, Brazil and China, among others. This year’s event will also see two separate halls to accommodate the wood products exhibitors and the display area for wood machineries,” says Dawood Al Shezawi, managing director of Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions.
“In addition to product showcases, the exhibition will also feature interactive seminars that are set to change the landscape of wood products and wood machinery industry. Over the years, the show has continuously evolved to cater to the specific requirements of wood manufacturers and traders who have developed a preference for resources that can be renewed, sustainable and do not create environmental concerns,” he adds.
Around 15 US hardwood exporter companies will take part in the Dubai Woodshow 2008 under the banner of the American Hardwood Pavilion (AHEC), following the success of the pavilion at the show last year. This will be the largest hardwood delegation from the US that has ever exhibited at a trade show in the Middle East underlining how important the region has become to American hardwood producers, says David Venables, director for Europe, Middle East and India for AHEC.
“AHEC has been involved with the Dubai Woodshow since its inception in 2006 and we are impressed by how quickly it has become established as a serious forum and focus for the wood sector in the region,” he adds.
Last year’s event, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, concluded successfully with exhibitors conducting deals to the tune of $50 million, with more than 3,500 visitors from across the Middle East, Africa and Europe participating in the event, reflecting a 118 per cent growth compared to the previous year.
AHEC’s stand within the American Hardwood Pavilion will act as a central information point, and will include a hardwood lumber grading demonstration area. The remaining 180 sq m of the pavilion will be taken up by the 15 US hardwood exporters, in addition to representatives from four major US hardwood exporting states. These UCS Forest Group, Baillie Lumber, Sonoking Corporation, Nina Company, Augusta Lumber, Weyerhaeuser Hardwoods, Bradford Forest, Interforest Lumber, Pacific Rim Export, Pike Lumber, Fortress Wood Products, Mayfield Lumber Company, Anderson Tully, Gilco Lumber, Matson Lumber Company, Pennsylvania Hardwood Development Council, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Mississippi Development Authority and West Virginia Development Office.

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