As we finally start to get a clearer picture of a post-COVID world returning to normal, AHEC has updated our events calendar and are building towards a busy end of the year. In addition to our full schedule of design, marketing, educational, and networking events, AHEC has also planned in person events for the industry at the following shows in 2021:
FMC Shanghai, Shanghai, China (September 7-11)
VietnamWood 2021, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (October 20-23)
AHEC SE Asia Convention, Bangkok,
Thailand (October 25)
FIMMA Maderalia, Valencia, Spain (November 15-19)
Cairo Woodshow, Cairo, Egypt (December 9-12)
It’s difficult to forecast a global immunization timeline, but with the Biden administration announcing a plan for all adults to be eligible for the vaccine by April 10th, we feel increasingly optimistic that international travel will be able to resume quickly. The exact form of the AHEC space at these trade shows will be flexible for now, and it’s likely we will continue to build “Open Plan” pavilions to allow for an uncertain number of participants.
Of course, participation is still subject to travel restrictions, and it’s likely that travelers will be required to show proof of vaccination before being allowed to travel internationally. Events in China in particular may be difficult to attend in 2021, as China is currently requiring travelers to have taken the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, which is not even available in the United States. Nevertheless, large trade shows have already returned to China, with Interzum Guangzhou being held as usual in March. Americans were not able to attend, but many local Chinese representatives of U.S. Hardwood companies attended the AHEC pavilion, and we will host a similar format at FMC Shanghai in September if travel restrictions are unchanged. Due to these restrictions, we have postponed both our participation in the SylvaWood trade show in Shanghai and the AHEC China convention in Chengdu, which were scheduled for June.
VietnamWood 2021, held every other year in Ho Chi Minh City, is the return of the largest trade show in the country. This is the cornerstone event in what has become the second largest export market for American Hardwood lumber. Right after VietnamWood, AHEC is planning to host our AHEC SE Asia Convention in Bangkok, Thailand on October 25th. All AHEC members who wish to attend this networking and educational event will be given a free tabletop booth with their company logo at the cocktail reception with our attending Asian buyers.
FIMMA Maderalia in Valencia, Spain, rescheduled to November 15-19, will be an excellent opportunity for the U.S. Hardwood industry to connect with European buyers, and with Interzum Cologne moving to an online-only format, this will be the only pavilion of the year in Europe.
It was unfortunately not possible to host a full U.S. Hardwood Pavilion at Dubai Woodshow in 2021, but companies looking to make connections in the Middle East will still have an opportunity to do so at the Cairo Woodshow this December in Egypt.
Above all, our goal at AHEC is to represent the American Hardwood industry and connect U.S. companies to new markets. By providing a low-cost way to exhibit at international trade shows we hope to make it easy for small, family-owned companies to make a big global impact.
If you are interested in attending our SE Asia Convention or any of the trade shows listed here, please contact AHEC’s International Program Manager, Tripp Pryor, tpryor@ahec.org.
