BOSTER: the international forestry event

The first North East Fiera BOSTER running from 6 to 8 June in Pian Cansiglio in the Province of Belluno in the Veneto Region marks the creation of a new trade fair project focused on the wood production chain. BOSTER, an acronym of the Italian for woods and territory, got started in the Province of Turin in 2002 as a biennial dedicated to the enhancement of forest resources and the sustainable management of mountain territories. After only a few editions BOSTER became an event of reference for operators in the sector in Italy and abroad. The most recent outing of the trade fair in 2012 drew more than 8,000 visitors and 180 exhibiting enterprises with 150 machinery and equipment items put to work on an area of four hectares. Those attending the North East version are given the opportunity to witness demonstrations of machinery and equipment for clearing woods and beginning the processing of wood recovered and for preparing biomass and firewood as well as techniques and construction solutions using wood for the construction of residential and rural housing. This year BOSTER is split into two events, the one for the North East and a second named BOSTER North West set for 26 to 28 September in Beaulard di Oulx, near Turin. The June exposition was organized by the company Paulownia Italia S.r.l. in collaboration with Veneto Agriculture, with regional responsibility for conferences and technical-scientific appointments in the sector. Other partners involved are the TESAF (Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry) of the University of Padua and the forestry offices of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions. The full schedule of conferences and meetings includes the opening of BOSTER on 6 June on the theme Silviculture 2020, under the management of Veneto Agriculture, and sessions for the examination of the issues of Forestry Biomass and Energy Generation Purposes, Nature Network 2000 and Protected Areas and the Competitiveness of Forestry Enterprises.