WMSA chief executive John Smith-Bodden, speaking to 55 members at the association’s AGM at The Belfry in Birmingham, said the delivery of a successful show was critical to the future of the industry.
He said expanding the show to incorporate other links in the supply chain, including timber suppliers, was “a calculated risk”. But he said to have just continued in the Woodmex format was “perhaps the most risky thing of all”.
Mr Smith-Bodden said the show, to be held at Birmingham NEC on October 8-11, was now cheaper than before, with space selling at £95/m2, with the emphasis on giving value back to members.
The WMSA is also hoping for 18,000 visitors, a 50% increase on the 2004 show which attracted 12,000 people.
Mr Smith-Bodden said: “We have had a huge amount of goodwill from the industry.”
The AGM also saw Ian Brown, managing director of SCM Group (UK) Ltd, take over as new WMSA chairman.
