HANNOVER, GERMANY - A stage-setting party for LIGNA, the world's largest woodworking event, brought together an international cast of more than 400 exhiibitors, international press and special guests Sunday night.

The party celebrated much anticipated opening of the 20th edition of LIGNA. The first edition of the biennial show was held in 1975. Two notable LIGNAs in between these two occurred in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall and 1993 when the European Union formed.

Organized by Deutsche Messe and the German Woodworking Machinery Association (VDMA), LIGNA 2013 runs from May 6 through May 10. It will feature displays from more than 1,050 companies and attract upwards of 100,000 woodworkers from more than 90 countries, including the United States and Canada.

Technology and innovation are the intertwining stars of LIGNA. For most of its 40 years, LIGNA has served as the launching pad for prototype machines, tooling and systems. The show has long been the go-to-place to find the latest advanced in solid wood machining, panel processing decorative finishing and surfacing. This year's show once again also includes a major focus on wood as an energy resource.

Breaking tradition, LIGNA precedes interzum, the woodworking supply show taking place May 13-16 in Cologne, Germany.

Woodworking Network will feature live coverage from both events.