23 Apr 2010
The forestry and wood product industries are organising a festival to showcase the sector during Rugby World Cup 2011.
Grant Kilby, the general manager of Destination Rotorua's Economic Development Unit, says the forestry sector stands to significantly benefit from the high profile rugby event. Latest estimates indicate that more than 85,000 visitors will travel to New Zealand and the great majority of these are expected to visit Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty.
"A number will be business people and Government representatives from around the world who will combine their trip to Rugby World Cup with fact-finding missions looking at companies and sectors across New Zealand.
"This is the single biggest opportunity the New Zealand forestry and wood products sector will have in the next decade to reach potential targets and markets around the world, and we simply have to make the very most of that opportunity," says Kilby.
The Forestry and Wood Industries Festival will include Forest Industries 2011 (FI2011) - the four yearly forest expo; a Wood Solutions Symposium, the National Wood Sector Conference with international delegates focusing on market-led wood applications.
Other festival activities will include in-forest demonstrations of forestry and harvesting machinery, technical workshops, a high profile networking event, an open day at the Waiariki Polytechnic Forestry Centre of Excellence, as well as a fun festival in Kawerau the weekend before the opening of the Festival in Rotorua.
Mr Kilby says the festival will cover every aspect of the New Zealand Forestry and Wood Products sector, from plant to market and include everything from genetics and growing, to harvesting, processing, design, manufacturing and the links to domestic and international markets.
"Our goal is to showcase and demonstrate New Zealand's leading edge skills, products and technologies, drawing on our heritage and proven track record in the forestry sector.
"Ultimately we expect to provide the forum and opportunities for New Zealand forestry companies to reinforce existing partnerships and forge new connections in the international market.
"The year 2011 is going to be an exciting one for New Zealand and its economy - and this Festival will help ensure that same success for the forestry and wood products sector."
Source: Media release via Voxy
