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Demo international show is on the way

Planning for the largest live equipment logging show in North America next year—DEMO 2016, to be held at the UBC Research Forest near Vancouver—is well underway, with recent planning meetings firming up the details for DEMO.

By Paul MacDonald

It’s still a ways off, but the planning for DEMO 2016—which is returning to the west coast—is well underway and those looking to attend should now circle the dates on the calendar: September 22-24, 2016.

The Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia will host the event at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, located within an hour’s drive of downtown Vancouver.

The first site selection meeting took place in June, as major players in the industry gathered to choose the optimal sites to demonstrate their equipment live—in-woods and in action—for the thousands of visitors who will descend upon the area for the event next year.

Owned by the Canadian Woodlands Forum (CWF) and produced by Master Promotions Ltd., this world-class event is unlike any other in Canada. A show this big only happens every four years, so it is definitely seen as a “must-attend” for those in the industry.

“People love being part of this show because it’s so unique and only comes around every four years,” said Peter Robichaud, Executive Director of the CWF. “It’s a huge draw, so there’s always lots of interest and excitement as we develop the site.”

“The site selection we held at the research forest in June went very well, and we were pleased to welcome representatives from a considerable number of industry leading companies,” added Mark Cusack, National Show Manager with Master Promotions Ltd.

The June meetings provided suppliers an opportunity to visit the research forest and choose their site.

“It’s really at the site selection meeting that the buzz really starts,” says Robichaud.

“It went really well. The exhibitors bring a high level of interest and passion to the show, and the excitement is building. We were able to line up all the key equipment people—they all came to the table and are participating and supporting DEMO.”

Organizers are working on all the details that surround such a large show, such as lining up hotels and on-site services, and that is coming along nicely, reports Robichaud. They are designing a show site that meets the highest of standards and expectations.

Robichaud noted the UBC Research Forest is an excellent location for DEMO, because of the features of the research forest itself, and also since it is so close to Vancouver.

Robichaud noted that the show is getting complete buy-in and support from the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest staff, led by Paul Lawson, Director of UBC Research Forests and Anthony Robinson. The Knapp Forest is truly a multiple use research forest, providing an ideal location and forested venue for an event of the scope of DEMO.

This will mark the 13th edition of DEMO International. During the course of its 49 -year history, DEMO has evolved into one of North America’s largest and unique outdoor equipment shows. Attracting more than 110 exhibitors and thousands of attendees from around the world, the “all live and in-woods” equipment show will feature the latest technologies in equipment, products and services covering all aspects of woodlands operations, and will attract individuals interested in forestry from around the world. Past shows have attracted up to 16,000 attendees.

Robichaud said that DEMO is more relevant than ever before, considering the cost pressures the logging sector continues to deal with, and the need for modern, efficient logging equipment.

“I think the timing for DEMO is good,” he added. “There is still a lot of older equipment out there and I think there is a renewed sense of confidence among contractors. They have the assurance that things are starting to improve, and wood is moving—and with that, they see the opportunity to invest in their business.” They know they have to re-invest in newer equipment if they are running old gear—in order to survive today, machine utilization and productivity are so important, says Robichaud.

“You have to be on top of your game in logging and have the latest equipment. A show like DEMO provides the opportunity to really shop around—all the major logging equipment manufacturers will be there.”

It’s a great opportunity to see all this equipment at a single site, and to see much of it working in the woods—that really is the unique feature of the DEMO show. Loggers can see equipment harvesting trees, or hauling timber or processing wood. “You can see all this at one show, in a great outdoor atmosphere,” says Robichaud.

“It provides the opportunity to bring together the people who are selling logging equipment with the people who are buying the equipment—the companies and contractors can see equipment demonstrations, and shop for what is the best piece of equipment for them, and their operation.”

As part of Demo Week, there will also be a pre-show conference—Canada’s Forest Sector: Adapting to a New Reality, “Technology and Innovations as a Catalyst for Success”—being held September 19 to 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver.

The conference is being co-hosted by the Faculty of Forestry, UBC and the Canadian Woodlands Forum in association with the 108th Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Institute of Forestry, FPInnovations, and the Council on Forest Engineering 2016 Annual General Meeting.

Robichaud noted that in addition to DEMO, Vancouver itself will be a draw for attendees. “The city of Vancouver is a major attraction in itself, for people who have been there before and want to come back, or who have never been to the city. It’s a great destination.”

He noted that the prime audience for DEMO, logging contractors, don’t typically take a lot of time off. “So with DEMO being in Vancouver, it’s an attractive package. They can spend a couple of days at DEMO, and do a bit of R and R in Vancouver.”

With a great team and event planned for DEMO 2016, the excitement is clearly building.

That team includes Logging and Sawmilling Journal, which will producing an Official Show guide for DEMO—further information is available on LSJ’s website at www.forestnet.com.

Further information and updates on DEMO are available at www.demointernational.com.