Although paper may be a timeless medium, PaperWeek 2001, incorporating the 87th Annual Meeting of the Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada (PAPTAC) and EXFOR, only runs for four days, Janua…
Although paper may be a timeless medium, PaperWeek 2001, incorporating the 87th Annual Meeting of the Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada (PAPTAC) and EXFOR, only runs for four days, January 29 to February 1, 2001. As per usual, PaperWeek will be held at the soon-to-be-expanded Palais des Congres in Montreal, QC. However, PAPTAC Executive Director Rob Wood assures visitors that the expansion work will not disrupt PaperWeek activities. “Delegates won’t notice any differences. It will come into play in 2002.”
More than 30 technical sessions are scheduled. The Paper Machine Technology Committee will sponsor four, following up on its schedule in 2000 when six sessions covered the paper machine from beginning to end. The Standard Methods Committee will co-sponsor two sessions, one each with the Multi-Ply Board Committee and the Printing and Graphic Arts Committee. The Research Committee will look at technology management and how mills can best implement new technology. In addition, the Sustaining Members Group will again showcase more than 15 new ideas in processes and/or equipment.
PaperWeek 2000’s schedule with no Friday sessions was a great success. This format will be repeated in 2001. As Wood noted, “People appreciated the fit of the program, six sessions over three days. It gives them a chance to be in the office on Monday and Friday.”
Another important element is cost. Wood said that the price is right. “Our registration rates are very competitive vis-a-vis other conferences.”
The invitation-only Mill Managers’ Forum is into its fourth go-round. The topic for 2001 will be Preparing for the future workforce. It will focus on the aging workforce and how mills will handle the many retirements due in the near future. It will study how the industry will cope with shortages of technical expertise.
One change to the schedule may come in the annual Business Luncheon on the Thursday. Wood said that PAPTAC is looking for a “high-profile” speaker for the luncheon.
Expect another sell-out at EXFOR, the world’s largest annual exhibition of pulp and paper equipment and services. Of the approximately 450 companies that exhibit, about 100 will be new to EXFOR. For 2001, there will be no major changes. Wayne Novak, general manager of ActivExpo, which manages EXFOR, said the big change comes in 2002 when the Palais expands. When the expansion is complete, floor space in the Exhibition Hall will double, to 200 000 ft2. In 2002, Novak expects the expansion will be 90% complete, making 180 000 ft2 available.
This will necessitate a re-organization of the entire floor. Although he said he is awaiting the final plans from the Palais, Novak said the expansion will change “the landscape of the floor,” with booth widths of 30, 40 or 50 feet a possibility.
A survey of all 2001 exhibitors will be carried out and a needs/space analysis done. From this, a relocation policy will be devised in conjunction with the EXFOR Committee. All exhibitors on the Convention Level will have the opportunity to move downstairs to the Exhibition Hall.
Besides the PAPTAC annual meeting and EXFOR, PaperWeek encompasses the events scheduled by two other organizations. The Canadian Pulp and Paper Association (CPPA) will hold its 88th Annual Meeting and sponsor a number of Open Forums. The Pulp and Paper Products Council (PPPC) will hold its 2nd Annual Meeting and also host a number of Open Forums.
The CPPA Open Forums will include the State of the Industry (Monday, January 29), Certification (Tuesday, January 30), the Future of Paper (Tuesday, January 30) and Environmental Sustainability (Wednesday, January 31). The Pulp & Paper Products Council Open Forums will focus on specific products: Recyling (Monday, January 29), Packaging (Monday, January 29), Communication Papers (Tuesday, January 30) and Market Pulp (Tuesday, January 30).
Attendance figures for 2000 showed an improvement over the 1999 numbers and Wood sees no reason why this trend should not continue in 2001. So although paper is timeless, PaperWeek is timely. And it only lasts for four days. Make plans to attend.P&PC
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