Touch Wood...			...big Show of talent
			by Debi Osborne

Along with the honor of being named Forest Capitol of B.C. for 1999, Houston was also chosen to hold the third annual "Touch Wood", Northern Wood Forum. Between April 22- 24, 1999, an estimated 5,000 spectators wandered by the various booths set-up inside the Houston Arena. Once in the foyer, you knew something special had been gathered under one roof. The professionalism behind the planning was obvious.

The "transformation" of the Houston Arena

For the entire "Wood Week", hats and T-shirts asking, "What did you think it was made from ?" were worn by local supporters. Retail stores covered their front windows with wooden-hand plaques displaying information on the Forum. Arrangements of wooden crafts decorated mall displays and signs welcoming visitors were visible throughout the community. Giant hands made from wood dotted the streets. The message rang loud and clear that everyone was welcome.

Portable lawn furniture

Thirty-five Industrial Exhibitors lined the outer rim of the arena floor, while over fifty artisans and craftspeople displayed their wares in the center Gallery. The purpose of the Northern Wood Forum is to promote awareness for the concept of "value-added processing". This means getting more value and more jobs from every tree harvested in the forest industry. With guest speakers, workshops and a woodcrafter/ student competition, the Forum encourages new partnerships, ideas and markets needed to diversify our forests resources.