Paper Summit 2002: industry associations help create industry's most diverse and comprehensive conference program.

Visitors to the 2002 Paper Summit, to be held March 3-7 in Atlanta, will immediately recognize that the show has significantly expanded its scope to include programs and conference sessions on almost all aspects of paper manufacturing. Traditionally, the Paper Summit focused on the technical side of technical aspect is a significant part of the show, the 2002 conference also includes program tracks addressing management, production, policy and current issues, offering a truly complete overview of the industry, and appealing to a broader audience of paper industry professionals.

One of the main reasons the show's program was able to expand this year is the unprecedented support of the leading industry associations. For the first time in the Paper Summit's 35-year history, six of the top North American associations and two leading international organizations for the forest products industry are official sponsors of the event. These groups are TAPPI, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA), NPTA Alliance, American Paper Machinery Association (APMA), Wisconsin Paper Council, China Paper Association (CPA) and Brazil-based ABTCP. In fact, TAPPI and other organizations have decided to co-locate several successful conferences at the Paper Summit that are normally held elsewhere.

Several of these organizations (sponsors) will conduct conference sessions or contribute special features to the show floor, according to Leo Nadolske, vice president of Paperloop Events, the company that manages the Paper Summit. There is no doubt, he added, that the support of these associations will add unprecedented value to the 2002 Paper Summit.

"The fact that we have all of the leading trade organizations involved in the Paper Summit really is a testament to the significance of the event. Their unparalleled cooperation and contributions to both the conference program and features on the show floor will help make the 2002 Paper Summit the most diverse and comprehensive gathering for the paper industry in the show's 35-year history," Nadolske said. "In addition, their involvement means that exhibitors will find a wider audience in the aisles, and attendees will benefit from the increased educational offerings addressing a wider scope of industry issues, as well as the ability to visit exhibitors from all portions or the industry."

The leader's of three of the largest North American industry associations sponsoring the Paper Summit participated in a discussion about what this new "coalition" means for attendees and exhibitors at the show. Contributing to this roundtable were Stephany East, senior director of marketing for AF&PA, Wayne Gross, executive director of TAPPI, and Scott Baumruck, executive vice president and COO of PIMA.

How do you think having so many new and varying associations involved in the Paper Summit will affect the show?

Wayne Gross: "Paper Summit 2002 represents an unprecedented collaboration of the world's finest pulp and paper industry associations. The programs and activities organized and sponsored by TAPPI and the other outstanding industry associations during the Paper Summit will provide attendees with an exceptional combination of educational and professional development opportunities."

Stephany East: "It adds a business and policy dimension to the traditional technical focus, and brings in a broader audience to the show."

Scott Baumruck: "There is a need in our industry for more coordinated effort among the various professional disciplines and between the Associations that represent them Paper Summit is an important step in that direction."

Give some specific examples of what your organization is contributing to the Paper Summit.

Wayne Gross: "TAPPI will be assembling one of its largest and finest technical programs ever for the 2002 Paper Summit. The 2002 TAPPI Papermakers and Process Control, Electrical and information Joint Conference alone will feature 48 sessions with hundreds of top industry experts discussing a wide variety of timely technical topics.

In addition, we will also offer a Kraft Pulp Yield workshop, which will be highlighted by a Mill Case Studies Roundtable. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, TAPPI will present the 2002 TAPPI Energy Summit (see box on page 41). In addition to world-class speakers, the Energy Summit will be highlighted by a special mill visit to the Augusta (Georgia) Newsprint Mill. Overall TAPPI will be providing excellent educational opportunities for the Paper Summit."

Stephany East: "We're aggressively marketing the show to our membership, which covers close to 90% of the U.S. pulp and paper industry. We are also helping to design a (conference) program that will appeal to a more diverse audience."

Scott Baumruck: "PIMA will also be providing some program support, as well as our enthusiastic encouragement for our members to attend."

What are your association's goals for the show?

Stephany East: "We hope to expose our industry to state-of the art technology and thinking. This is critical as industry competition intensifies and becomes more global."

Wayne Gross: "The current business environment is one of the most challenging ever faced by the paper industry. It is our belief that the 2002 Paper Summit will provide industry professionals with the knowledge, information and experiences they need in these difficult and uncertain times. Paper Summit will be an investment in the future for both individuals and companies."

Why should paper industry professionals attend the Paper Summit?

Scott Baumruck: "Paper Summit brings together some of the top non-profit Associations in the paper/forest products industries. As this events grows, our members will benefit from the combined strengths of these groups."

Stephany East: "To familiarize themselves with the latest technology, learn about the global industry and network with their peers."

What makes the Paper Summit unique, and how will be different/better than previous shows?

Scott Baumruck: "First of all, there is no other place in fine United States for our industry and all of its supporting parts to come together. Secondly, a well-orchestrated trade show provides outstanding learning and growth opportunities for virtually everyone in the mill at a very low cost. Attendees will find that they can talk to experts from every industry segment that supports the mill, and I recommend that first time attendees sit down with their boss to select the companies that would De most valuable for them to talk to. Finally, I want to mention once again the combined strengths of the sponsoring organizations and also the suppliers who take the time to participate. Paper Summit is putting a lot of talent together in one place."

Stephany East: "I agree-the strongest aspect of the show is that it will bring together a wide audience representing all facets of the industry. This has never been done before in the paper industry."

Wayne Gross: "The unprecedented combination of Paperloop and TAPPI along with other industry associations and companies make Paper Summit 2002 a world-class, 'can't miss' event."

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS

Stephany East

Senior Director of Marketing, AF&PA

Washington-based AF&PA is the national trade association of the forest. paper and wood products industry. Its members include manufacturers of over 80 percent of the paper, wood and forest products produced in the U.S. Visit www.afandpa.org to learn more.

Wayne Gross

Executive Director, TAPPI

TAPPI--the leading technical association for the worldwide pulp, paper, and converting industries--managed the Paper Summit until it was purchased by Paperloop in the spring of 2001. Visit www.tappi.org for more information.

Scott Baumruck

Executive Vice President & COO, PIMA

The Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA), established in 1919, is the premier association Ear management professionals in the paper and pulp industry. Please visit www.pima.org for more information.

ENERGY-RELATED ACTIVITIES AT 2002 PAPER SUMMIT

Paper Summit attendees are invited to take a first-hand look at some of the innovative energy conservation technologies in use by the industry at the Augusta Newsprint Energy Showcase, March 6-7 in Augusta. Georgia, USA. This unique; hands-on event will present an overview of energy-saving technologies and process improvements implemented at the Augusta Newsprint Co. that have resulted in annual energy savings of $1.4 million for the company.

The Showcase is presented by the Augusta Newsprint Co., U.S. Department of Energy Office of Industrial Technologies Agenda 2020, and the Institute of Paper Science and Technology. It is being held in conjunction with the Paper Summit and TAPPI Energy Results Showcase. Transportation is available from the Paper Summit to the Showcase.

For more information on the Augusta Newsprint Energy Showcase, or to register for the event, visit www.energetics.com/augustashowcase/.

ENERGY SHOWCASE PAVILION DEBUTS

Energy-related solutions will also have a prominent place on the Paper Summit show floor in the first-ever Energy Showcase Pavilion. This new area will offer attendees. the opportunity to view the latest energy-related technologies.

The unique pavilion will include energy management services and conservation products from some of the industry's leading providers and experts, including Sempra, Tennessee Valley Authority, Minnesota Power, WPS Energy Services, Wisconsin Paper Council and the U.S. Department of Energy.

More information about the Energy Showcase Pavilion and the Paper summit is available at www.papersummit.net