LIGNA Dramatically Changes Show Sections Layout for 2017 Expo
HANNOVER, GERMANY - LIGNA trade show planners announced a new arrangement of exhibits and new categories, in a dramatic rearrangement of the show's traditional layout. One example: LIGNA will merge the “Solid Wood Processing,” “Furniture Industry” and “Skilled Woodworking Trades” categories into a new “Tools and Machinery for Custom and Mass Production” category.
 
“Exhibitor feedback points to outstanding business dialogue, promising leads and strong international growth," said Christian Pfeiffer, the Director in charge of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe. "For us and our partner, the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association, this provides a good basis upon which to introduce a number of structural changes for the upcoming LIGNA season,” 
 
LIGNA, which is held at the Hannover Exhibition Center in Hannover, Germany and runs from 22 to 26 May 2017, will feature this revamped layout that show oeganizers say "will boost efficiency for all trade visitors and provide a more comprehensive, user-centric overview of all key technologies."
 
The new layout will comprise seven main display categories:
  • Tools and Machinery for Custom and Mass Production
  • Surface Technology
  • Wood-based Panel Production Technology
  • Sawmill Technology
  • Energy from Wood
  • Machine Components and Automation Technology
  • Forestry Technology
The move to merge the “Solid Wood Processing”, “Furniture Industry” and “Woodcrafts” (skilled woodworking trades) categories into a new “Tools and Machinery for Custom and Mass Production” category, in particular, has already met with very positive industry feedback, according to LIGNA organizers. "By clustering allied technologies, the change will shorten visitors’ walking distances between relevant displays and generate synergies with newly created neighboring display areas."
 
Another big change relates to automation technology and machine components, and surface technology. These two technology categories have grown in importance at LIGNA over the years and will therefore have their own centrally located display areas from 2017 on, say show organizers. 
 
"The market for woodworking and processing machines is no longer strictly segmented according to user scale or size, and technology types that were once distinct are now converging," Pfeiffer says. "We want to provide a more efficient trade fair experience for all the professionals in attendance by enabling them to move quickly and conveniently between exhibitors of relevance to them."

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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.