STARKVILLE, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forest Products Society:
- Sessions tackle timely forest products issues and market opportunities facing the industry
- Impressive line-up of speakers: Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant; Louisville Mayor Will Hill; CEO of Thomasson Company Pat Thomasson; and scientists from universities around the globe
- Researchers share the latest advances in wood processing, biomass, nanotechnology, adhesives, and composites
Mississippi Governor Bryant will kick off this year’s premier event for forest products professionals hosted by the Forest Products Society (“FPS”), an international association with deep roots in the forest products industry. Speaking at opening session of the 71st International Convention on Monday, June 26th, Governor Bryant will highlight the vitality of the forest products industry in Mississippi and the state’s contributions to the industry as a whole. Specifically, Biewer Lumber—which broke ground in 2016 for the company’s new $85 million sawmill in Newton, MS; and Louisville’s Winston Plywood & Veneer, New Wood Resources, and Atlas Holdings LLC, which all broke ground recently. Mississippi State University’s College of Forest Resources continues to be a key contributor to the global advancement of wood and renewable cellulosic resources.
The Convention’s program themed “The Future of the Global Forest Products Industry” is organized in part by Mississippi State University’s College of Forest Resources, and will include presentations on the newest, highly-advanced production facilities, and the newest research in areas such as: nanomaterials, MDF and panelboard, bioenergy, non-wood composites, green building, and mass timber.
“With 42 member countries—including our most recent addition of Pakistan—the Forest Products Society has attracted thousands from the global network of scientists, design professionals, managers, decision makers, and others who gather annually to discuss the latest forest products research and innovations in the field,” said Dr. Richard Vlosky, FPS President and Director of Louisiana Forest Products Development Center at Louisiana State University’s Agricultural Center. “The FPS Convention is also an important event for students as it creates a platform for individuals at early stages of their professional life for mentoring and to forge lasting relationships.”
The information-rich 3-day agenda includes sessions on “Establishing a Culture of Innovation Excellence for the Future Bioeconomy” by Trevor Raymond Stuthridge, Executive V-P, FP Innovations; “Declaration of Interdependence” by Dr. Steve Bullard, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Stephen F. Austin State University, and others. Bullard specifically will discuss why interdependence is mission critical for forest products professionals and for FPS, what is meant by a declaration of interdependence, and how we can walk the talk of interdependence as the world’s largest network of forest products professionals.
“Our team found the educational sessions and networking opportunities to be very beneficial. It is important for industry professionals and researchers to come together to facilitate innovation for the future of the forest products industry. The FPS Convention does just that,” reflected Nian Ou of Huber Engineered Woods LLC about the 2016 Convention attendance.
For more information about the Convention please visit www.fpsconvention.org.
About Forest Products Society
Founded in 1947, the Forest Products Society's vision is to be the international leader for advancing the sustainable use of renewable cellulosic resources through science and technology. With a long history of providing the professional and academic community with fora for discussion and exchange of issues and solutions pertinent to our industry and economy, in recent years the Society has also broadened its outreach to Asia Pacific where burgeoning forest products enterprises are driving today’s innovation and will propel the industry into the next phase of evolution. With new chapters sprouting in the United States and abroad, the Society continues to deliver the most critical link for professionals and academics alike to advance their careers, stay connected, and engage in the most up-to-date discourse. www.forestprod.org
