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Regional Conference Open to Businesses Looking to Export

GLOBAL MARKETS STRONG FOR SOUTH CAROLINA FOREST PRODUCTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2011

(Columbia, SC) Business leaders looking to expand their markets beyond US borders are invited to Newberry, SC on May 24th for an export conference which boasts some high-caliber speakers. The event, dubbed Seeing the Forest for the Trees, is aimed at the state’s wood products industry. The focus is on growing markets globally for SC companies both large and small. Forest industry in South Carolina impacts the state’s economy more than any other for jobs and wages.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re selling logs, lumber or value-added products like furniture, doors, windows, or log homes.” says Tim Adams, one of the conference’s organizers. “There will be plenty of valuable insight shared by those with a track record of international success.”

Adams, the Forest Resource Development Director with the South Carolina Forestry Commission says experts from both the public and private sectors will help unlock the secrets to successfully exporting South Carolina wood products. The state has more than 13 million acres of forests which support forestry, the ideal industry. These forests supply a strong network of mills and manufacturing facilities on a sustainable basis while providing clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Keynote speaker Dr. Urs Buehlmann, a professor at Virginia Tech, works in the area of business competitiveness, especially in regards to secondary wood processing. He has a special interest in the impact of globalization on the forest products industries. Dr. Buehlmann will discuss emerging markets for wood and wood products across the globe.

Bruce Hoffman, VP and General Manager of Kapstone’s Charleston Kraft Mill will be the luncheon speaker. In his talk, Exporting Paper Products – A South Carolina Success Story, Hoffman will discuss the state’s leading commodity export. The pulp and paper industry is responsible for 93% of South Carolina’s $1.3 billion in export of forest products.

Registration remains open for the event which will be held in Newberry, SC on May 24th. Included in the registration fee is a ticket to a benefit concert by Heart ‘N Soul at the Newberry Opera House on May 23rd. Register online at http://forestry2011.eventbrite.com/ or by calling (803) 777-1177.

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News managers: For more information, call Scott Hawkins at (803) 896-8820

For every $1.00 invested by SC in the Commission, forest industry produces about $1,800.00 of economic impact.