Cornwall Ontario — Just over 400 delegates are expected to attend the first-ever conference of Canada’s forest sector research network. The conference will highlight forest product innovations and university-industry collaborations, and will feature 175 technical posters and an entrepreneurial workshop for students.

It will be held at the NAV Centre in Cornwall, from May 13-16, 2013.

FIBRE, with over 100 professors and 300 students, is the largest forest-sector, university research network in the world. A little more than one year ago, Canada’s eight forest-sector, university based research networks came together to form FIBRE. The creation of this umbrella organization is intended to: advance the transformation and competitiveness of the Canadian forest sector industry, increase the visibility of university research and train students to become key participants in the forest industry of the future.

“This is the largest gathering of university-led forest research and development research – the largest ever in the world!” said Theo van de Ven, Chair, FIBRE Council of Directors. “The conference will allow attendees to learn about research developments from each network, and explore innovative ideas from the 175 scientific posters.”

A scientific poster is a method of professional communication that visually tells the comprehensive, but condensed, story of a research project.

“We are excited to host this important meeting and collaboration of researchers from across Canada,” said Kim Coe-Turner, General Manager of NAV CENTRE. “The NAV CENTRE itself has a strong connection to science and education, and we look forward to the delegates enjoying our amenities and Cornwall.”

FIBRE and its member Networks are contributing to the transformation of the Canadian forest sector. The mandate comes from a partnership comprised of NSERC, FPInnovations, Natural Resources Canada and Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC).
The University R&D networks are comprised of seven NSERC strategic initiatives and one business-led Network of Centres of Excellence, which are: 

·        ForValueNet Network and Value Chain Optimization Network, both led by Laval University;
·        Bioconversion Network, led by the University of Guelph; 
·        Lignoworks, led by The University of British Columbia; 
·        Innovative Green Wood Fibre Products Network, led by McGill University; 
·        Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network, led by McMaster University;
·        NEWBuildS, led by the University of New Brunswick. 
·        ArboraNano, the Canadian Forest NanoProducts Network, a Business-led Network of Centres of Excellence.

FIBRE can be found online at www.fibrenetwork.org or via Twitter: @FIBRECAN

About NAV CENTRE
Located on the scenic shores of the St. Lawrence River in Cornwall, the NAV CENTRE is a full service conference centre offering access to 551 guest rooms and 70 dedicated state-of-the-art meeting rooms, spa, fitness centre with indoor pool and an Irish pub with live entertainment. The Centre can accommodate small groups of five to large groups of up to 500. Learn more at www.navcentre.ca.