The growing importance of exhibitions within the construction sector makes this the prime time for the industry to seize the day and allow timber to take its unique place in the built environment of the future. Timber’s exciting presence at Ecobuild last month proves beyond doubt that it has both the will and the way to do just that.
TRADA’s timber tours were virtually fully booked over the three days of the show. We were able to demonstrate to visitors that timber is maturing as an industry, with new engineered products, building systems and processes. Timber is no longer restricted to new build housing and gridshell roofs, however breathtaking. Structurally, it can now compete with steel and concrete frame and, used alone or in conjunction with other materials, timber can inspire outstanding design.
Importantly, the shape of the industry is also changing, with new entrants to the sector pitched somewhere between the traditional supplier and the contractor. These specialist timber sub-contractors are taking the natural material and designing engineered systems. Then, by shouldering the technical burden and installing complete systems on site, they avoid delays and problems and ensure that timber is easy to specify and use to its full potential.
The time is absolutely right, therefore, for this industry to have its own show, an event with breadth and depth that both informs and inspires. The demise of Interbuild came as no surprise – it had run its course. It clears the way in the exhibition calendar for Timber Expo, the TRADA Technology-backed show to take place at the Ricoh Arena on September 27-28. Now, with six months still to go, Timber Expo is 75% sold or reserved and has gained the backing of several new sponsors and exhibitors in the past fortnight.
It is part of TRADA’s vision to engage more closely with architects and engineers to encourage them to work increasingly with timber. Timber Expo will help us to do that, by showing the best the timber industry can offer, the products and services that can help bring construction projects to life.
It will also provide a forum for easy knowledge transfer. TRADA’s In Touch with Timber conference will be an integral part of the show, but in a new format, offering four different half-day modules, for up to 1,000 delegates, who can personalise their visit by booking the sessions most relevant to them. In addition, the winners of the Wood Awards 2011 will be announced at the Ricoh, with a display of all the shortlisted entries. A unique part of Timber Expo is the Timber Buyers’ Forum, offering a simple way for buyers to meet exhibitors in a structured manner.
Timber Expo is an event created for the timber industry, by the timber industry and it will show unequivocally to buyers, designers and specifiers that timber – spectacularly – has come of age.
An exhibitor briefing day will be held on April 7 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Potential sponsors and exhibitors are also welcome. Contact loretta.sales@timber-expo.com.
