From the Forest
A Letter from the IWPA President
Welcome to the 13th edition of IWPA's award-winning International Wood magazine. We are proud to present this year's publication — a showcase for some of the most exciting projects and groundbreaking applications that feature the products brought to market by our industry.
This edition of International Wood details the diverse use of exotic wood species in a range of projects, including: a $35 million Silicon Valley mansion, a private jet, and an art competition to challenge young design students. We are once again excited to bring readers an updated Source Box that allows woodworkers and specifiers to immediately learn more about the species highlighted in our articles. Readers can turn to IWPA's Buyers Guide, which directly connects specifiers with the suppliers that can help them source the most beautiful and highest performance wood products from around the world.
International Wood is a great tool for many of its readers. However, many readers might not know much about some of the other important services that IWPA provides to the imported wood industry. Our stated mission is: To build acceptance and demand in North America for globally-sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests.
"Our stated mission is: To build acceptance and demand in North America for globally-sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests."
IWPA's efforts to advance its Mission support jobs and industry in North America while also ensuring the economic health of foreign communities that rely on forestry for their livelihoods. Without a long-term economic value, created by demand for forest products, forests could be lost forever to conversion to agriculture or other uses. Ironically, continued worldwide demand for responsibly harvested forests products is, in large part, responsible for the preservation of the world's forest — a position now widely accepted and supported by industry, environmental groups, and governments.
Our Mission keeps IWPA Executive Director Cindy Squires busy as she advocates for our industry in Washington, D.C. and capitals around the world. In addition to advocacy work, Cindy has spent 2016 crisscrossing the United States teaching our newly-developed Wood Trade Compliance Training and Due Diligence Tools course. This course, developed in conjunction with the World Resources Institute and made possible by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development, provides course attendees with the knowledge and resources they need to help their companies meet today's wood trade compliance challenges.
As you learn more about the value that IWPA provides, I am hopeful that you will join us next spring for our 61st World of Wood Annual Convention from April 5-7 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, California. We look forward to hosting a full schedule of world-class speakers, panel discussions, and networking events that will provide attendees with critical insight and intelligence for the year to come.
I would like to thank IWPA's Members, Board of Directors, and Staff for their continued support of our industry. A few minutes spent flipping through the pages of this beautiful magazine will serve to convince anyone of the beauty and value of the sustainable, recyclable, and renewable products provided to discriminating consumers by our members. IWPA provides a critical service to its members, as well as to downstream beneficiaries of their goods and services. I look forward to every opportunity to work with our Members, our industry partners, and anyone who counts on IWPA to ensure that our industry continues to thrive. If there is anything the IWPA staff or I can do to help, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Bronson Newburger • IWPA President 2016-2017 • Clarke Veneers and Plywood
Frequently asked questions
What is the IWPA's stated mission?+
The IWPA's mission is to build acceptance and demand in North America for globally-sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests.
When and where is the 61st World of Wood Annual Convention being held?+
The 61st World of Wood Annual Convention will be held April 5-7, 2017 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, California. It will feature world-class speakers, panel discussions, and networking events.
What is the Wood Trade Compliance Training and Due Diligence Tools course?+
It is a course developed by IWPA in conjunction with the World Resources Institute, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development. It provides attendees with the knowledge and resources needed to help their companies meet wood trade compliance challenges.
How does demand for forest products help preserve the world's forests?+
Continued worldwide demand for responsibly harvested forest products creates long-term economic value that prevents forests from being converted to agriculture or other uses. This position is widely accepted by industry, environmental groups, and governments.
What kinds of projects are featured in the 13th edition of International Wood magazine?+
The edition details the diverse use of exotic wood species in projects including a $35 million Silicon Valley mansion, a private jet, and an art competition designed to challenge young design students.
How does the International Wood Source Box help readers?+
The Source Box allows woodworkers and specifiers to immediately learn more about the species highlighted in articles. Readers can also use IWPA's Buyers Guide to connect directly with suppliers that source high-performance wood products from around the world.