Executive Director,
American Hardwood Export Council Southeast Asia & Greater China
American Hardwood Export Council Southeast Asia & Greater China
Michael Snow
On behalf of the American Hardwood Export Council, it is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) 18th Southeast Asia & Greater China Convention. The historic city of Harbin - capital of Heilongjiang Province and gateway to China's Northeast - will serve as our host as we convene once again under the theme American Hardwoods: Consistent Quality and Sustainable Supply.
In the twelve months that have passed since our last Convention in Singapore, much has happened in our industry and around the world. The global economy seems to have turned a corner and we are well on our way towards recovery. Indeed, US exports of hardwood products increased by more than 40% to Southeast Asia in the past year, as well as nearly 20% to China. Indeed, China solidified its position as the single largest market for our products and one of the world economy's great engines of growth. This Convention is designed to helped further strengthen these bonds, as our aim is not only to introduce US exporters to Asian importers, but to also help foster the relationships between Asian end users and specifies and the local wood processing industry and distributors of American hardwoods.
In these difficult economic times, it is no simple matter to put the day-to-day running of a business on hold to attend an event such as this, and we have worked hard to bring together an array of top-flight speakers and experts from around the world. I sincerely hope that you find this Convention to be both timely and useful, and look forward to working with all of you toward creating an even closer bond between the US hardwood industry and Asia's architectural, design and manufacturing industries. Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our friends in the China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association, Harbin City Furniture Association and National Hardwood Council of STTA for their help and support in organizing this event.
Sincerely,
Michael S Snow
Executive Director, AHEC
In the twelve months that have passed since our last Convention in Singapore, much has happened in our industry and around the world. The global economy seems to have turned a corner and we are well on our way towards recovery. Indeed, US exports of hardwood products increased by more than 40% to Southeast Asia in the past year, as well as nearly 20% to China. Indeed, China solidified its position as the single largest market for our products and one of the world economy's great engines of growth. This Convention is designed to helped further strengthen these bonds, as our aim is not only to introduce US exporters to Asian importers, but to also help foster the relationships between Asian end users and specifies and the local wood processing industry and distributors of American hardwoods.
In these difficult economic times, it is no simple matter to put the day-to-day running of a business on hold to attend an event such as this, and we have worked hard to bring together an array of top-flight speakers and experts from around the world. I sincerely hope that you find this Convention to be both timely and useful, and look forward to working with all of you toward creating an even closer bond between the US hardwood industry and Asia's architectural, design and manufacturing industries. Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our friends in the China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association, Harbin City Furniture Association and National Hardwood Council of STTA for their help and support in organizing this event.
Sincerely,
Michael S Snow
Executive Director, AHEC