"New Horizons" for Forest Products at the FPS International Convention

Wood remains one of the most important renewable resources that contribute to the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of our planet. Under the theme "New Horizons for the Forest Products Industry," the Forest Products Society (FPS), the global network for forest products professionals, will host the 70th International Convention on June 27-29, 2016, in Portland, Ore., USA, urging the continuance of focused discussion among the global forest products community about the state of forest products research and innovations in the field.

"A staple gathering for hundreds of scientists, design professionals, managers, decision makers, and others from academia, government, nonprofit, and private industry sectors, the annual FPS Convention challenges participants to share their latest ideas, research, philosophy, and technology, while removing the boundaries between industry sectors and promoting the cross-pollination of knowledge," said FPS President Maureen Puettmann. "The event is an astounding opportunity to become exposed to the wide range of timely forest products issues facing the industry worldwide."

The FPS convention’s theme is reflected in the line-up of speakers, presentations and on-site activities, which will feature oral talks, 50+ poster presentation, plus a bonus day of fields trips and networking, covering a variety of important topics, including:

Advances in the mass timber multistory industry
Biomass and biofuels: innovations
Opportunities and challenges in the forest products industry
Wood properties - quality and mechanical
Composite materials: reinventing plywood/veneer markets
Innovations in non-traditional bio-products
Advances in adhesion
Wood modification: improvements in durability.

The convention is also attracting a number of partners and sponsors, which already include Western Wood Products Association, Hexion, Timber Products Inspection, Louisiana Forest Products Development Center/School of Renewable Natural Resources/Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, The Engineered Wood Association, TAPPI, and the Southern Forest Products Association.