Forest Business Network’s 6th Bi-Annual Small Log Conference is a can’t-miss for industry professionals and takes place March 13-15, 2013 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The event promises to deliver non-stop networking and brainstorming on three timely topics:

Small diameter timber utilization and woody biomass

The first of our three-pronged approach will focus on the Small Log Conference’s traditional core content: the key issues surrounding small diameter timber and woody biomass, and how they affect lumber mills, machinery manufacturers, conservationists, forest restoration, pellets, biomass use, technology and more.

Aviation biofuels in the Pacific Northwest

Last fall, the USDA issued a $40 million grant to the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA), which is tasked with creating a sustainable industry in the Pacific Northwest to produce aviation biofuels and important co-products from wood feedstocks. NARA will use the Conference as a platform to discuss its progress and to network with attendees.

Wood exports, and an international buying delegation

A partnership with the Montana office of the World Trade Center (MWTC) will help conference attendees discover how their forest products business can take advantage of wood exports and new markets overseas. We will also work with MWTC to bring international delegates to the conference to meet attendees and foster quality relationships that can lead to new business.

Wood export webinars: A cutting-edge primer for the Conference

Working as an extension of the Small Log Conference, this four-part webinar series started in March 2012 and focuses on wood exports, international forest product markets, and the Softwood Check-off program. The series will go into early 2013 and is produced by MWTC, Forest Business Network, and the BitterRoot Economic Development District. Topics will build on one another and culminate in the high impact agenda we’ll have at the Conference. The primary focus of the webinars is to help conference attendees prep for the networking opportunities offered by the international buying delegation’s presence at the conference.

Other highlights of the Small Log Conference

A pre-conference Mill Tour is set for March 13, and a Supplier’s Showcase will compliment each day of informative topics and panels.

Images from top to bottom: rolfi/Shutterstock, Shuterbas/Dreamstime, Maksimilian/Shutterstock