We firmly believe that comprehensive technical information, derived from ongoing research, is the key to developing markets for timber. The launch of the askTRADA website proved a turning point for us and it is clear that TRADA information is providing a welcome bridge between suppliers and specifiers.
If we needed any confirmation that we were on the right track, we started this year by winning two major awards: the Membership Development Award 2004 and the Memcom 2005 Award for Best Membership Organisation Website. Both are testimony to our efforts to talk to members and find out what they want and need to support their business.
Since January 2004, when TRADA took the decision to open up its website free of charge to all visitors, total membership has exceeded 1,530, with new members making up 33% of that total. More than 200 new corporate and professional members have joined TRADA since January – double last year’s figure. The success of both membership development and the website has greatly enhanced TRADA’s profile in the industry. We have set out to be more proactive – seminars and conferences are a key part of our activities, as another way to disseminate technical information to construction industry professionals.
We have just staged another highly successful In Touch With Timber conference, which attracted more than 260 delegates and our new “TRADA in the Regions” events promise to be equally rewarding. These informal evenings have been staged in Grangemouth, Scotland and Newmarket, East Anglia, both attracting more than 70 members and guests with a mutual interest in timber.
Feedback has been hugely positive. Six further seminars are planned for early autumn. The likely locations are: Banbury (M40 corridor); Gatwick area; Bristol (M4/M5 interchange); Haydock area (north-west); Yorkshire (M1/M62 interchange); and central London.
In addition, TRADA is working closely with Interbuild 2006 organiser, Emap, to create a ‘Timber Zone’ which will feature timber’s role in modern construction at the exhibition in April next year. TRADA experts will run a full seminar programme throughout the show.
We have also launched a prize for timber engineering students, in conjunction with wood. for good and the Institution of Structural Engineers, to recognise excellence and innovation in timber engineering. Judging will take place on July 29.
TRADA is very pleased, therefore, to sponsor the TTJ Awards’ Best Technical Information Support Award for the second year. We were impressed with the quality of entries in 2004 and look forward to reviewing the submissions for 2005. The closing date for entries is July 31.
In all that we do, we recognise that good technical information is essential to underpin and support the use of timber in construction. At TRADA we have placed this at the core of our own activities, aimed at increasing specification and building markets for timber.
