Forestry expo promises something for everyone
What’s expected to be the biggest forestry expo ever seen in Rainy River District is right on track for the second weekend in June here, said Glenn Dredhart, president of Canadian Trade Ex.
The 2009 Saw Tech Log and Rural Northwest Expo, slated to run June 12-13 at the Memorial Sports Centre, will host booths from suppliers in all areas of the forestry industry—from woodlot equipment to value-added wood products like cabinets and flooring.
Dredhart said there also will be demonstrations of machinery and equipment, from trucks to sawmills, so people can get the “hands-on feel.”
As of yesterday, there were 160 confirmed booths, with only 18 spots remaining.
When asked if those booths would be filled in time, Dredhart chuckled and said, “I just got off the phone with [a company] confirming another one.”
Dredhart also said there currently are 6,000 pre-registered guests, some coming from Minnesota and Winnipeg. Between those and people who walk in, Dredhart said he is hoping for about 10,000 people to attend.
Registration is free, but visitors to the expo are encouraged to make a donation.
They then will be eligible to win door prizes, with the main one being a complete garage work station valued at about $2,000.
Dredhart said this expo is one way of getting out the message that “there is a new look to the forest industry.”
There is a need to “educate the general public on the way the forest industry is changing, and where it’s changing to, and that it is still a viable career option,” he added.
Dredhart said the expo is for everyone from professionals within the forestry industry to farmers and other individual landowners, to part-time handymen, to those with a talent for crafts.
“Anything wood is there,” he stressed.
That includes live demonstrations of the latest lines of equipment and machinery for operations of all sizes, from paper mills to farmers who want to make their own fence rails, “ride and drive” programs for truckers to try out the newest models, and plenty of wood products for sale.
“We encourage people to bring their pickup trucks and take advantage of the bargains,” Dredhart remarked, adding this is a unique opportunity to buy directly from producers with no middle man.
“Why not buy direct and save yourself some money?”
In addition to the demos, displays, and products for sale, there will be a lumberjack competition all day on the Saturday, with possibly a side event for kids.
The expo will be open to the public from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on the Friday (June 12) and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday (June 13).
To reserve a booth or to pre-register, call Dredhart at 1-866-754-9334.
