Gearing up for Canada North Resources ExpoBy Jim Stirling
Continuing a worthwhile tradition is admirable, but maintaining its relevance in a rapidly changing industrial environment represents a considerable challenge.
Canada North Resources Expo (CNRE) seems to have mastered the technique as the latest version of the event is set to prove again May 26-27 in Prince George, British Columbia.
This will be the third biennial version of the CNRE in its present format. The show highlights developments and new techniques available to the forest industry along with the heavy construction and project infrastructure sectors in one of Canada’s richest natural resource regions.
Logging and Sawmilling Journal is the Official Show Guide for CNRE, and will feature extensive show coverage in the May issue of the magazine.
In 2013, the CNRE attracted about 8,000 people including many forest industry company decision makers. The attendance figure increased to about 8,400 for the most recent show, in 2015. “The bookings for 2017 are going great,” reports Matt Mitchell, show manager. “We’re a little ahead of last time in 2015.” Mitchell represents Master Promotions Ltd., the company producing Canada North Resources Expo.
The significance of the CNRE’s acceptance by its core audience and the public has to be considered in the context of the times. “Marketing budgets are dwindling,” noted Mitchell. Companies and potential exhibitors at industrial trade shows are painstakingly careful in deciding where best to present their latest products and technologies to the marketplace. Uncertainty is never a friend to investment and the forest industry has its share of uncertainties. The relationship to the United States lumber market under President Donald Trump’s America-first protectionism and the declining fibre basket for dimension lumber production in the B.C. Interior as a result of the mountain pine beetle epidemic are up at the top of the uncertainties list.
But the forest industry still has its job to do and views the CNRE as a useful tool toward helping achieve its goals.
The outdoor equipment demonstration zones at the Prince George show’s CN Centre are a perennial favourite, for both general interest and business. “We have noticed that several companies want to expand their footprint at this year’s show compared with 2015,” noted Mitchell. The Inland Group, Woodland Equipment and Peerless are just three examples of a heightened presence at the CNRE in 2017.
The Northern B.C. Safety Conference is returning as an adjunct to the CNRE, continued Mitchell. The event features expert speakers to help delegates manage safety challenges in the workplace more effectively.
The theme is maintained through the Health, Wellness and Safety zone. It is a cluster of interactive booths and displays in the CN Centre which examines and offers a cross section of safe work habit developments and services.
“We also have a larger number of mainly smaller sawmill industry suppliers booked into the 2017 event and it’s nice to see them come back,” added Mitchell.
There’s an important aspect of the CNRE that is often overlooked. “We are continually looking for a chance to give back to the community,” explained Mitchell, “and to strengthen our relationship with the community.” The Prince George-based Resources Expo Society helps facilitate the process. For example, proceeds from pancake breakfasts benefit Big Brothers and Sisters of Prince George, a non-profit organization offering mentoring services to youth. The CNRE also supports a legacy scholarship and bursary program at the regional College of New Caledonia.
For registration information and more details about the CNRE in 2017 visit: www.CNRE.ca
On the Cover:
When Munden Ventures Ltd. of Kamloops, B.C. moved into logging, they made some well-thought out equipment purchases, and established solid supplier relationships with the B.C. John Deere dealer, Brandt Tractor, and Woodland Equipment, the Hyundai dealership. Munden Ventures sub-contacts out its processing (pictured on the cover) to Randy Janzen who is a Hyundai/Waratah guy (Cover photo courtesy of Randy Janzen).
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Solid business move into logging
Munden Ventures of Kamloops, B.C. got involved in logging more by accident than by design, but it’s turned out to be a solid business decision.
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B.C. Saw Filer’s Preview:
The upcoming B.C. Saw Filer’s Association AGM and trade show remains a solid venue to share knowledge and resources for all those involved in the trade.
West Fraser takes over top lumber producers spot from Canfor
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From hobby sawmill to workhorse
The Kanigan Family in B.C. may have started Gold Island Forest Products as a hobby sawmill, but these days the mill has been ramped up considerably—with numerous upgrades—and now specializes in producing high quality custom cut cedar/fir lumber and timber products.
Canada North Resources Expo show coming up in May!
If you’re looking for equipment, machinery, products or technology in the forest and resource sector, the Canada North Resources Expo show—being held May 26-27 at the CN Centre in Prince George, B.C.—is the place to be, and Logging and Sawmilling Journal will there front and centre, as the Official Show Guide.
The Edge
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Alberta Innovates, FPInnovations and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
The Last Word
Canada should focus on EU markets with the new Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) deal, while we wait for Trump’s take on softwood lumber, says Tony Kryzanowski.
Departments
Tech Update
Mulchers and mulching heads
