Industry News News
Demo 2012

Working in partnership with the Canadian Institute of Forestry, the CWF has entitled the 2012 conference, Canada’s Forest Sector – At a Turning Point. The sessions will be directed at providing answers to the overall question: What approach to forest land-use, management, silviculture and harvesting operations will best fit the ecological function of our forest, as well as meet the needs of the new forest products industry and societal values?

The conference will open with three presentations targeted at issues that will affect the future growth of the forestry industry both in Quebec, and in Canada. The first will look at the past, present, and future competitiveness of the Quebec forestry marketplace. The second address the subject of First Nations Forestry, and whether or not Canadian industry will miss the opportunity to expand this sector. The third keynote address will explore issues surrounding ecosystem-based management.

The conference will feature three sets of concurrent information sessions, allowing all attendees to engage in discussions on issues of concern or interest. Each session is broken down into sub-topics, which are presented by industry experts from across Canada and the United States. The sessions will include:

• Forest Biomass and its Potential
• Global Changes
• Forest Management and the Iconic Species of Wildlife
• The Many Uses of Wood
• New Forest Legislation and Tenure System
• Forest-related Ecological Goods and Services
• New Silviculture Practices and Harvesting Systems
• The Forest Industry in a Carbon Constrained World
• The Forestry Workforce

Two banquet luncheons are included as part of the conference, with both recognizing the industry’s greatest accomplishments of the past year. The first will feature the presentation of the OIFQ’s annual awards, as well as acting as the official kick-off event of DEMO International 2012. The second will mark the official presentation of the CIF-IFC’s annual awards.

Pre-and post-conference tours will give attendees the opportunity to see two important aspects of the forestry industry in Quebec. The pre-conference tour will focus on hardwood management, taking a close look at the Duchesnay area just west of Quebec City. The post-conference tour looks at buildings that have recently been constructed with wood as part of the wood works program, with several impressive buildings located in and around Quebec City.

All those attending the conference will receive a DEMO International Show pass to any of the three days of the event, Sept. 20-22. With nearly 150 exhibitors expected to participate, attendees will have plenty of opportunity to see the new machines in the industry in action.

Hosting the outdoor show is Gestion Solifor Inc., a forest asset management company, who has provided their La Seigneurie de Perthuis site for DEMO, located just 75 kilometres from Quebec City. The 29,000-hectare woodlot in Saint Raymond provides an ideal forested venue for equipment manufacturers to provide demonstrations of their newest equipment, techniques, and technologies.

In addition to the forestry equipment in action at DEMO, the CWF, Solifor Inc., and SMS Equipment will host the 2012 Forwarder Operator Challenge. Forwarder operators will have the opportunity to navigate the newest Komatsu forwarders through a series of challenges, with the winner of the elimination tournament being crowned Canada’s best forwarder operator. For more information on the challenge, visit www.smsequip.com.

Be sure to watch for the July/August edition of Canadian Forest Industries where you will find your exclusive DEMO 2012 show guide. For the latest updates, visit www.masterpromotions.ca.