Amsterdam welcomes the softwood world Organizers of the International Softwood Conference Amsterdam has been one of the great international trading centres for 500 years. Even in the sixteenth century its ports were transiting cargoes, including of course timber, from around the world. At the time it accounted for over 50% of Europe s merchant shipping fleet and it became the principal import and export hub for an entire continent. So what more appropriate venue could there be for the International Softwood Conference? Softwood is, of course, a truly globalised trade, with market trends and movements rippling across borders worldwide. And the Conference reflects that global reach. The line up of expert speakers and the delegates are drawn from every key supplier and consumer region. They make it the prime place to hear, discuss and debate the latest sector news, views and developments. Outside the main presentations, market and feedback workshops are set to take that international conversation further. The Conference is also designed for networking for softwood producers and buyers to meet, discuss current issues and make new contacts across the international sector. So welcome to Amsterdam and the International Softwood Conference 2015 a global trade meeting in a global trading city. Harry Gras Sampsa Auvinen Andreas von Möller
Programme in Highlight Wednesday 4 th November 19:30 Cocktail Reception at the Koepelkerk Thursday 5 th November 08.30-16.00 Full conference day at the Koepelkerk 17.00-22.30 Gala Dinner at the Rijksmuseum Friday 6 th November 09.00-12.30 Conference day Welcome Reception Wednesday 4 th November 19:30 The Cocktail Reception is for all participants and will take place at the Koepelkerk. The Koepelkerk is connected with the Renaissance hotel. The Koepelkerk (Domed Church) is a 17th century domed monument with an unique 17th century Bach organ, the largest still actively played organ in The Netherlands. The capabilities of this beautiful Church built in 1668 with its connection to the hotel are unprecedented.
Gala Dinner Thursday 5 th November 17.00 22.30 17.00 Transfer by boat from the Renaissance Hotel 18.00 Welcome at the Rijksmuseum Rijksmuseum is THE museum of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to the present day. After ten years of rebuilding, renovation and restoration, the Rijksmuseum has opened its doors again. For the first time in history the museum underwent a complete transformation of both its building and the presentation of its collection. You will probably never forget the experience of the Rijksmuseum. 18.00 Welcome and drinks 18.30 Guided tours of the 15 th and 17 th century 20.00 Gala dinner in The Gallery of Honour 22.30 Closing and departure by boat to the Renaissance Hotel The Gallery of Honour is an extended corridor directed towards a clear focal point: the Night Watch Gallery. On view in the side alcoves are masterpieces by the great artists of the seventeenth century. Framing the alcoves are cast iron beams inscribed with the names of the famous painters of the age. Semi-circular wall sections above display the coats of arms of the eleven provinces of the Netherlands and their respective capital cities. In the original building, the side alcoves were screened off with heavy curtains that served akin to a church to draw visitors towards the high altar of The Night Watch at the end. Dress Code: dark suit / black tie (if preferred)
Conference Programme Thursday 5 th November 08.30 16.00 Harry Gras Sampsa Auvinen Andreas von Möller John White 08.30 Registration 09.00 Welcome and Opening of the conference Royal Netherlands Timber Trade Association (NTTA), Harry Gras (Chairman NTTA and CEO of Houtimport Gras) European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS), Sampsa Auvinen (President of EOS and CEO of Norvik Timber Industries) European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF), Andreas von Möller (President ETTF and managing partner of Jacob Jürgensen) ISC moderator, John White (former CEO of UK TTF) 09.15 Statistical Market Overview by Rupert Oliver (Forest Industries Intelligence) Market developments European production by Sampsa Auvinen (EOS) Market developments European users by Andreas von Möller (ETTF) 10.45 Coffee Break Rupert Oliver Marc Brinkmeyer Guillaume Hotelin 11.15 Regional Market Analyses: United States and Canada by Marc Brinkmeyer (Chairman and Co-owner Idaho Forest Group) North Africa by Guillaume Hotelin (Deputy CEO, Comarbois) Middle East by Jan Gustaf Roempke (Managing Director ARA Timber) Russia by Sviatoslav Bychkov (Managing Director ILIM Timber) 12.30 Lunch 13.30 Market Workshops Round table discussions, topics as per handout 14.30 Coffee Break 15.00 Feedback from workshops 16.00 Close 17.00 Departure to the Rijksmuseum for the Gala Dinner
Friday 6 th November 09.00 12.15 09.00 Wood Toolbox by Otto Bosch (consultant European Wood Network) 09.20 The Tree The world s tallest wood building by Ole Herbrand Kleppe (Chief Project Manager BOB Real Estate Development) 09.35 Regional Market Analyses: Overview of Softwood Lumber Market in China by Rupert Oliver (Forest Industries Intelligence) 09.55 Opportunities in Japan a small country with a big lumber market by Naohiro (Bob) Iwami (General Manager, Export Sales, Interfor Japan) 10.15 Discussion of presentations Jan Gustaf Roempke Sviatoslav Bychkov Otto Bosch 10.30 Coffee Break 11.00 Softwood Related Markets: Wood Packaging and Pallet Markets by Marc Michielsen (President of CEI-Bois and Executive Director FEFPEB) 11.20 Pulp and Paper Developments by Marco Mensink, (Director General of the Confederation of European Paper Industries, CEPI) 11.40 ISC 2015 s wrap up and closing remarks Ole Herbrand Kleppe Naohiro (Bob) Iwami 12.00 The International Softwood Conference 2016 12.15 Close and Lunch Marc Michielsen Marco Mensink
Networking at ISC forging business links Of course delegates will be attending the International Softwood Conference in Amsterdam to hear up-to-the-minute industry insights from the worldwide lineup of expert speakers. But the ISC is also a place for interaction and connection, both between speaker and delegate and among delegates too. It s an opportunity to talk about the business and make new business links, worldwide. There will be question and answer opportunities throughout the two-day event to further explore points raised and arguments made in the main presentations. Market and Feedback Workshops will provide further venues for the issues to be analysed in depth and the softwood sector s outlook to be assessed. And, of course, it is the place for industry networking; making new contacts and associations, discovering and exploring new business opportunities and potentially establishing relationships with new trading partners. There is also assistance in place to forge these new connections. If you want to make contact with a specific company, or link with a business from a certain country or region, Mr Eric de Munck of the ISC national host, the Netherlands Timber Trade Association, will help you find the right name and facilitate an introduction. As Mr Harry Gras, chairman of the ISC national host the Netherlands Timber Trade Association, said Together with sharing information and highlighting possible solutions for market imbalances, networking is what the ISC is all about. That s why we invite all members of the European Timber Trade Federation and European Organisation of Sawmill Industries. To take advantage of the ISC networking service, contact Mr Eric de Munck at e.demunck@vvnh.nl.
ISC partner service making the most of a great city Amsterdam is one of the great capitals, renowned as a global trading centre and rich in heritage and culture. Not surprisingly, its unique mix of attractions have drawn visitors from around the world for centuries. Today it s narrow cobbled streets with their distinctively Dutch, gable-roofed architecture and delightful canal-side walks remain fascinating places to explore around every corner, it seems, a great vista and something interesting to visit; a house, church, a gallery, shop, bustling market, bar or café. At the same time, Amsterdam is a vibrant 21 st century city. Reflecting its historic international connections, today it offers an incredibly cosmopolitan variety of cuisines, from traditional Dutch to the latest international fusion. Its wealth of entertainment venues offers something for everyone and its exciting and varied nightlife is another aspect of this modern urban centre renowned the world over. If you are visiting Amsterdam as an International Softwood Conference partner, you are in for a truly interesting and enjoyable time. If you would like to visit with other ISC partners, or you require further assistance and advice, Mrs Anuska Olthof of the Netherlands Timber Trade Association will be happy to help. You can contact her at a.olthof@vvnh.nl.
Photo credits Erik Smits / John Lewis Marshall
Contact Organization Royal Netherlands Timber Trade Association (NTTA) P.O. Box 1380 1300 BJ Almere The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)36 5321020 Fax. +31 (0)36 5321029 E: info@vvnh.nl W: www.vvnh.nl Mr Paul van den Heuvel p.vandenheuvel@vvnh.nl Mr Eric de Munck e.demunck@vvnh.nl Mrs Anuska Olthof a.olthof@vvnh.nl European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) P.O. Box 1380 1300 BJ Almere The Netherlands T. +31 (0)36 5321020 Mob. +31 (0)6 53107268 E: a.deboer@ettf.info W: www.ettf.infow Mr Andre de Boer aideboer50@gmail.com Gold sponsors European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) Rue Montoyer 24/box 20 BE-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel. +32 25562597 Fax +32 22870875 E.: info@eos-oes.eu W: www.eos-oes.eu Ms Silvia Melegari silvia.melegari@eos-oes.eu Conference Venue & Accommodation Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel - Koepelkerk Kattegat 1 1012 SZ Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)20 6212223 W: www.marriott.com Sponsors Houtimport Kuhn B.V. www.kuhntimber.com Wijnne Barends www.wijnnebarends.com Kiwa www.kiwa.nl Gooskens Hout www.gooskens.nl Moelven www.moelven.com Other sponsors