As the UK's national timber event for the built environment, Timber Expo is now firmly established in the industry calendar.
The event provides a platform for exhibitors from across the globe to showcase the latest innovations - however Timber Expo is now recognised as being more than just a ‘market stall' to promote products and services, it is also a platform for ‘thought leadership' and knowledge transfer.
But when other trade exhibitions are in decline, why is Timber Expo expanding year on year?
According to Nick Milestone, Managing Director of B & K Structures, who with Austrian partners Binderholz form the X-LAM Alliance - it's having a business focus.
"It's all about creating a forum to bring the right people together to conduct meaningful business meetings. Once construction companies had the luxury of substantial marketing budgets; however the recession changed all that - now we have to ensure a return on our investment by generating a positive impact to the bottom line."
At the heart of Timber Expo each year, is the Timber Buyers and Specifiers Forum - a purposeful environment for building business networks. This focused approach has proved to be highly successful in creating new business relationships, facilitating meetings and most importantly, generating business. All participants in the Forum have a strong desire to engage at the highest level with decision makers with direct influence over procurement decisions.
"We have exhibited every year since the launch of Timber Expo at the Ricoh Arena in September 2011. Last year the Buyers Forum was extremely successful for the X-LAM Alliance," Nick Milestone added.
"The new format, with an online profile for all the buyers taking part, included details of live projects and precise requirements. With this system no one wastes their time and booking meetings in advance demonstrates commitment on both sides. Buyers meet with the right exhibitors and can get straight down to business. The Forum generated inroads and openings with companies we would have otherwise not had the opportunity to meet and do business with."
Due to the increase in international visitors and exhibitors, last year Timber Expo moved from the Ricoh Arena to the NEC. This year will see another first for the event - now in its fourth year, Timber Expo will be co-locating with W14 - the bi-annual trade exhibition for UK joinery and furniture manufacturers on October 7 and 8 at the NEC, Birmingham.
Event Director Loretta Sales commented: "Keeping the content current and informative is crucial. The Timber Focus seminar programme organised by TRADA, is free to attend and focuses on new innovations, iconic case studies and the implications of new regulations.
"The Toolbox Talks programme offers exhibitors a platform to promote their latest products or services and the Timber Buyers & Specifiers Forum proved to be a great success with exhibitors and 98% of buyers confirming they would like to be contacted to take part in 2014."