The Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association‘s (WMSA) Working with Wood Confederation will be officially launched at the association’s annual general meeting on April 12 (TTJ January 22/29).
The WMSA board has agreed to make significant investment in the future of Woodmex and the 2006 event will expand both up and down the supply chain.
WMSA chief executive John Smith-Bodden declined to reveal how much is being invested but did say it is double that spent previously.
The organisers say that while machinery will be at the heart of the show, areas from forestry to furniture will also be represented through co-operation with other trade organisations under the Working with Wood Confederation umbrella.
The board has also decided to transfer management of the 2006 show from Centre Exhibitions to WMSA where it will be organised by Wendy Pattenden.
Mr Bodden-Smith said the changes will give WMSA the opportunity to invest more heavily in visitor promotion. He added: “To get even more of the right people we will double the visitor marketing budget. Because we sit closer to the market, we believe that the spend can be carried out more effectively by the association itself rather than Centre Exhibitions.”
The improved buying power has also enabled the WMSA to favour its members with a £10/m2 reduction on the 2004 cost of space.
