The annual flagship event for the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry will focus on innovation. Source: Timberbiz
The event, presented by ForestWorks ISC and First Super, will focus on how to produce innovation and harness it into productivity, specifically within an Australian context.
The 6th Industry Development Conference will take place on 4 March 2014 at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra. The Industry dinner will be held at Parliament House’s Great Hall that evening with an address from the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Tony Abbott MP.
ForestWorks ISC CEO Michael Hartman said there was no area of greater importance to the industry today.
“The operating environment for our industry has been and is rapidly changing and the only way for enterprises to manage this change is through innovation,” Hartman said.
“Although everyone seems to acknowledge the fact that innovation is key, actually using innovation techniques requires learning and development.
“That is why we have decided to dedicate the entire conference this year to taking the latest change management and innovation practice and showing how it is being applied today in our industry.
“The word ‘innovation’ can conjure up such a wide variety of concepts, and that often makes it hard to filter out the noise. Innovation is not necessarily expensive technology or new-fangled concepts.
“Fostering innovation is often simply a case of learning how to collaborate more effectively and knowing how to harness the results through effective change management.
“The conference will feature panels of innovation experts and the real world experience of those who have driven innovation into productivity gains.”
A line-up of speakers and presenters from across the country, industry sectors and leading businesses will deliver an insightful program.
• Ross Hampton, CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) presenting the industry’s research and development consortium initiative
• George Goroyias, principal, Poyry Management Consulting brings a wealth of his own and Poyry’s global industry development experience to Australia’s innovation efforts
• Julie George, chair of ForestWorks and senior industry executive outlining business level workplace training and qualifications initiatives
• Evan Rolley, Executive Director, Ta Ann Tasmania and Director of FWPA will provide deep industry experience in innovation and development in Tasmanian and Australian industry
• Michael Hartman, CEO of ForestWorks ISC, focusing on innovation thinking, practice and skills
• Mark Kelly, innovation facilitator at Enterprise Connect, Department of Innovation and former forest industries consultant
• Dr Alastair Woodard, TPC Solutions, presenting the latest on real, already implemented solid wood innovations
• Kersten Gentle, CEO, Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA) speaking about collaborations with the home building sector
• Peter McLean principal of Development Impacts, an expert in innovation processes and practice, contributing learnings from other industries and their innovations.
More information at www.forestworks.com.au or call 1800 177 001.
