KWF conference
The KWF conference is currently held every four years by the Board of Trustees for Forest Work and Forest Technology . The event is one of the largest of its kind in the world. That makes it one of the most important international industry gatherings for forest and wood. The KWF conference traditionally consists of three elements - the KWF-Expo (forest machine and novelty show), the specialist excursions and the specialist congress.
history
The Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik eV has been organizing the KWF conference on a regular basis since 1964 . The first took place in Lüneburg, with the main topic “Establishing existing buildings - technical possibilities and new approaches”. Up until the 1980s, each KWF conference focused on a technical topic.
Initially, the KWF conferences took place every two years. Only from the seventh edition (1977 in Schmallenberg) did they switch to the four-year cycle. The only exception: in 1988 the change to the even years took place. This realignment of the dates prevented overlaps with the meetings of the German Forest Association (DFV). In addition, this change ensured that in Central Europe, leading international events for the forest industry take place every two years, alternating with the KWF conference and the Interforst trade fair in Munich. Change locations and host forest administrations or companies.
Theme days are held between the major KWF conferences. You always take up a current focus topic in the industry. In September 2010, the first KWF theme days on the subject of "Soil protection when using forest machines in the timber harvest" took place in Rhineland-Palatinate.
| year | place | Conference topic | Exhibitor / visitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 1st KWF conference in Lüneburg | Establishment of existing stock - technical possibilities and new ways | k. A. |
| 1966 | 2nd KWF conference in Freudenstadt | Bringing wood | k. A. |
| 1968 | 3rd KWF conference Bad Homburg vor der Höhe | Technical possibilities to improve profitability in forest operations | k. A. |
| 1971 | 4th KWF conference in Bayreuth | Work and company organization when using machines | k. A. |
| 1973 | 5th KWF conference in Trier | The forest, the people working in the forest and forest technology | k. A. |
| 1975 | 6th KWF conference in Braunschweig | Thinning | k. A. |
| 1977 | 7th KWF conference Schmallenberg | Farm structure and mechanization | k. A. |
| 1981 | 8th KWF Conference Kassel | Establishment of stands in the low mountain range | k. A. |
| 1985 | 9th KWF conference in Ruhpolding | Forest-friendly timber harvest | 82 exhibitors; 6,000 visitors |
| 1988 | 10th KWF conference Heilbronn | Forest care - investment for the future | 125 exhibitors; 15,000 visitors |
| 1992 | 11th KWF conference in Koblenz | Forest work in transition | 201 exhibitors from 10 countries; 22,000 visitors |
| 1996 | 12th KWF conference in Oberhof | Forest technology for near-natural forest management | 380 exhibitors from 17 countries; 30,748 visitors |
| 2000 | 13th KWF conference in Celle | Forestry in harmony with people, nature and technology | 309 exhibitors from 14 countries; 30,152 visitors |
| 2004 | 14th KWF conference in Groß-Umstadt | Process orientation in forestry - new technology, new partners, new thinking | 364 exhibitors from 16 countries; 34,144 visitors |
| 2008 | 15th KWF conference Schmallenberg | Forest technology live in storm wood | 515 exhibitors from 23 countries; 43,115 visitors |
| 2012 | 16th KWF conference in Bopfingen | Fascination with forestry - win by working together | 534 exhibitors from 26 countries; 50,306 visitors |
| 2016 | 17th KWF conference Roding | Forests, people, markets - forestry is of course beneficial! | 537 exhibitors from 27 countries; 50,692 visitors |
| 2020 | 18th KWF conference Schwarzenborn (Knüll) | Experience forestry | nn |
organizer
The organizer of the KWF conference is the Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik eV (KWF). On behalf of the KWF, the large KWF conference - every four years - is organized and hosted by KWF GmbH.
The changing locations are a trademark of the KWF conference. This is the only way to optimally meet the diverse conditions and requirements of European forestry. The price, however, is an extremely high organizational effort. The KWF therefore depends on strong regional partners. Co-organizers are the respective host forest administrations or companies.
KWF conference
KWF-Expo
The KWF-Expo (formerly the forest machine and novelty show), the fair part of the KWF conference, takes place as a demo fair in the forest. Over 400 exhibitors from over 20 countries present their latest developments and the comprehensive state of the art on a 100 hectare field and forest area.
Exhibitors from Germany and abroad show products from the most diverse areas of forest technology - including ICT ( information and communication technology ), wood transport , municipal technology , energy technology and occupational safety . The program is enriched by special shows on special topics, awards for new products and live championships.
Technical excursions
The specialist excursions take place in the forests surrounding the KWF-Expo. Modern forest technology tested by the KWF will be shown in action and complete work chains will be demonstrated in real operation. There is information on a wide variety of new and best practices. The focus of the topics is on the environmentally friendly use of technology, energy wood production , logistics chains and forest maintenance . Neutral experts are available for discussions about operating conditions and costs.
The KWF conference guide provides detailed documentation of the individual stations with all information on the processes, including performance and costs of the machines, ergonomics , occupational safety and environmental compatibility (e.g. soil and stock care).
Specialist congress
The one-day specialist congress is the platform for decision-makers and takes place at the fair. Lectures, discussion forums with experts and working groups on various specialist topics will be offered at the specialist congress.
Supporting program
In addition to a family and forest owners day, the colorful supporting program of the KWF conference also always includes the Stihl Timbersports Show, the European Forwarder Championships, the German horse- moving championships and much more.
Partnerships
The KWF conference is a founding member of the worldwide network " Forestry Demo Fairs " (FDF); the KWF-Expo takes place in cooperation with the Swedish Elmia Wood. There are also trade fair partnerships with LIGNA and INTERFORST .