The essential selection

Timber Expo takes place at the Birmingham NEC from September 24-25. Now in its third year, the UK's leading timber trade show is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors, including architects and designers, engineers and contractors, local authorities and a wide range of those working in the built environment.

It will be two days brimming with the latest products, innovations and developments across the timber sector - not just from the UK but from an increasingly exciting and diverse international market.

Some 170 companies from all corners of the timber industry and from the UK and overseas will be unveiling their latest products and services, plus giving advice on how best to use the construction industry's leading mainstream low carbon building material. Overseas exhibitors and representatives include: Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the US.

A key element to the show and a central part of the Expo experience is the Timber Talks seminar programme. Organised by TRADA, the eight seminar sessions are spread over two days and are a fantastic opportunity for attendees to draw on the knowledge, experience and advice of a concentrated group of high-calibre speakers from the construction sector. From niche areas to leading trends, the Timber Talks will be characterised by key industry topics, major names, super projects and big issues - and they are all free. Talks last 25 minutes, including five minutes for Q&A, and will be chaired by a leading figure in the timber industry.

Meanwhile, if you want direct, hands-on information on the latest timber processes, technologies and specialist products, you need to head for Toolbox Talks. New for 2013, these CPD presentations will focus on the detail of processes, technologies and solutions on display at the show. From manufacturing processes to onsite engineering solutions, Toolbox Talks will complement the Timber Talks and will be held in a purpose-built 30-seat theatre. With topics include the sourcing of sustainable southern yellow pine and specialist design software to building timber bridges and being EUTR compliant, the Toolbox Talks are expected to be extremely popular.

This year the Timber Buyers Forum, which has always been a successful and dynamic part of the show, has been extended to include specifiers. The Timber Buyers & Specifiers Forum, sponsored by Vandecasteele, will provide the opportunity for a face-to-face discussion with prospective new clients and business partners. With a wider remit and now more attractive to an increasingly diverse range of those involved in the specification and design of timber products, the Forum will still operate in the same fashion as in previous years.

Meeting places
One of the most visually striking elements of the exhibition will be Worldscape, a huge continuous integrated piece of landscape furniture. It was the centrepiece of the extraordinary banqueting event Global Feast, coinciding with each evening of the London 2012 Olympics - 20 evenings serving a different slice of world food each night. It seats 80 people and will be a memorable spot to sit, relax and network during Timber Expo

The Timber Accord Pavilion, sponsored by Timbmet, builds on the Timber Accord agreement signed in 2012. The Pavilion will be situated at the heart of Timber Expo on the main exhibition floor and will be a unique opportunity to touch base with many of the leading timber trade bodies representing the supply chain of the forestry and timber industries. The ProTimber 2013 summit will also take place here and discuss the role of timber in the government's construction strategy.

Once again The Wood Awards are recognising outstanding design, craftsmanship and installations in wood over the past 12 months. This year's 30-strong shortlist was drawn from a record 318 British projects and features unique private houses, stunning small projects, outstanding restorations, impressive public buildings and extraordinary bespoke and production-made furniture, ranging from the traditional to the cutting edge. The 2013 shortlist will be on show at Timber Expo and you will be able to hear more about the projects in the Timber Talks programme.

Also on the awards theme, Timber Expo and TRADA have sponsored the TTJ Timber Innovation Award once again and this year's five shortlisted candidates will be on hand to present their successful products and development. You can find out more about Hess Timber, Frame Wise, X-Lam Alliance, SpanoTech and a joint bid by architect Pablo Zamorano and engineer Nacho Marti.

And if you need to pick up press info and soak up news from across the show, head for the Media Centre and VIP Lounge, sponsored by SCA Timber Supply UK. The VIP Lounge is being built by EcoCurves and will feature magnificent bespoke glulam arches.