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By industry people for industry is how the Georgia Research Institute and University of Georgia’s Center of Continuing Education are promoting the “From Forest to Finished Products” Conference and Expo. This will be held at the Georgia Center of Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel November 17-19, 2008 in Athens, Georgia and biennially (every two years) thereafter.
A professional training, education and technology transfer venue for the forest and forest products industry, the conference will include: research; production; management methodologies and issues; and process equipment technology/development topics pertinent to the industry. Speakers will be key producing industry people, top suppliers, consultants, and researchers.
WHY ATHENS?
In recent years, the South has risen to become the U.S. timber basket due to an artificial shortage of raw material in the West on public lands. The resultant closure of 13,000+ sawmills and 80%+ of the plywood mills was directly due to legislation and regulation. The South’s well managed private lands are called on today to provide a myriad of wood products from its increasing industrial base. MORE THAN 60% OF US TOTAL WOOD FIBER TONNAGE USED IS FROM THE SOUTH !! Georgia is central to this geographical region and a key component to its productive capacity.