International marketing for forest products industries workshop planned for October

Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Virginia Cooperative Extension will hold a workshop on International Marketing for Forest Products Industries on Oct. 20, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center in Princeton, W.Va.

The forest products industry has played an important role in the U.S. economy, yet the industry has suffered tremendously because of increasing global competition and is looking for ways to remain competitive. The workshop has been planned to help address this issue.

The workshop will introduce modern concepts in marketing for U.S. forest products industries to take advantage of global trade benefits. Included are sessions on the fundamentals of marketing, expanding your horizons by going global, and logistics and transportation issues, as well as a roundtable discussion. Managers at all levels of the forest products industry, independent consultants, academicians, and employees with responsibilities in marketing are strongly urged to participate.

“U.S. forest products industries always need to look for market opportunities locally and internationally. This workshop will provide basic marketing principles, a global outlook of the forest products industry, critical information on logistic aspects, and potential international business opportunities,” said Henry Quesada, assistant professor in the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, who organized the workshop.

Those interested should register online before Oct. 13. The course fee of $50 covers registration, coffee breaks, and lunch. Workshop partners include the USDA Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center and Purdue University.

For more information e-mail Henry Quesada, call (540) 231-0978, or visit the International Marketing for Forest Products Industries workshop website.