Convention Program

Update as at September 6, 2023

September 8, 2023 (Friday) Agenda
Chair-person Mr. Ernie Koh, Former President, Singapore Furniture Industries Council and Executive Director, Koda Ltd
Mr. Mark Yong, President, ASEAN Furniture Industries Council
08:30 - 09:00 Conference Registration
09:00 - 09:30 Opening Remarks
Mr Chris Frederick, Director of ATO, Beijing
Mr. Gu Hao Dong, President of Chengdu Furniture Industrial Chamber of Commerce
Mr. John Chan, Regional Director, American Hardwood Export Council Southeast Asia & Greater China
09:30 - 09:50

Welcome Remarks from AHEC Board of Directors
09:50 - 10:30

Wood and the Environment
Mr. Michael Snow, Executive Director, American Hardwood Export Council
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 - 11:20

Chengdu Furniture Industry Outlook
Mr. Gu Hao Dong, Chairman of Chengdu Furniture Industrial Chamber of Commerce
11:20 - 11:40

Jiangxi Province Furniture Industry Outlook
Mr. Gu Jian Xia, Executive Chairman of Jiangxi Furniture Association
11:40 - 12:20

EU Deforestation Regulation and Environmental Policies Impacting Global Timber Trade
Mr. Rupert Oliver, Consultant to AHEC for Sustainability Issues
12:20 - 13:40 Lunch
13:40 - 14:20

Fighting climate change through Biophilic Design with wood
Mr. James Lu, Principal and Managing Director of Perkins&Will
14:20 - 15:20

Introduction to American Hardwood Lumber Grading Rules and Application
Mr. Dana Spessert, Chief Inspector and Dean of Education of Grading School, National Hardwood Lumber Association
15:20 – 15:30 Q&A Session & Closing Remarks by Michael Snow, Executive Director, AHEC
15:30 – 18:00 Exhibition Showcase-US Hardwood Pavilion / Post Convention Networking and Cocktails Reception