ForestTECH 2020 – it’s ON!

Every year, since 2007, forestry resource managers, remote sensing, GIS and mapping specialists, inventory foresters, researchers and key technology suppliers from across Australasia attend the forestry technology series, ForestTECH. It’s now well and truly established itself on the international forestry calendar. As well as Australian and New Zealand companies, forestry companies and technology providers from the USA, Canada, Europe, SE Asia, South Africa and South America are regularly involved with the annual technology updates.

With a bit of to-ing and fro-ing around restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) is delighted to announce that for the 2020 event, it’s on. It will run in Rotorua, New Zealand on 18-19 November. Early details can be found on the event website, www.foresttech.events . The usual format though has been changed. This is going to allow maximum interaction with inventory foresters and tree crop managers from across the region – and further afield. Major changes, which we’ll elaborate on in future issues are;

1. In addition to the usual focus on remote sensing and new data collection technologies, for the first time since 2008, a second day will be focussing on mechanised planting and automated silviculture. European technologies are already well advanced and are being trialled on flatter terrain by some of the larger forestry companies in both New Zealand and Australia.

2. For the first time since its inception, the physical event (on-site presentations, exhibitions and workshops) will be run in just one location, Rotorua, New Zealand. This is a direct consequence of border restrictions between countries, and this time, between States in Australia. This provides some surety for planning for exhibitors and delegates.

3. Live links from the New Zealand event will be set up for those unable to travel (because of border restrictions, company directives or budgets). This ensures Australian and international delegates can still actively be involved this year. On-line questions from virtual conference delegates will be able to be made to all presenters – live.

4. An additional Australian component has also been set up for virtual conference delegates. A selection of Australian presenters planned to present in the original conference programme have been included in a special 90-minute on-line workshop on the completion of day two.

5. Increased international involvement through the new live and virtual hybrid format. Key technology presenters from the USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany, South Africa, Brazil and Australia will be presenting this year.

6. Two additional half-day workshops for those delegates attending Rotorua. These include a half-day Remote Sensing Cluster Group meeting on the afternoon of Tuesday 17 November and a half-day demo and workshop on the Hovermap LiDAR simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) technology being run by Interpine, Emesent and Scion following the conference and exhibitions on the morning of Friday 20 November.

Further details and information will be provided shortly. At this stage, mark the dates into your diary and we’ll keep you updated.

Photo: Interpine