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APF 2008 - Was the biggest and best yet !!
APF 2008 was a record breaker and saw an increase of 25% in exhibitor numbers and 20 % in visitor numbers from the 2006 event. 250 Exhibitors and 16000 visitors made APF 2008 the largest ever UK exhibition for the forestry, arboricultural, woodland, fencing, utilities and biomass sectors and it has cemented its place as one of the leading events in Europe.
Three days of glorious sunshine saw record crowds of visitors who had come to see the wide range of competitions and over 3 miles of working machinery frontage. Exhibitors reported record business with at least two companies reckoning to take over a £1 million of orders each over the three days. Exhibitors were delighted in the number and high quality of the visitors. APF 2008 proved to be, yet again, the place to exhibit if you want to sell your product into these sectors. What was particularly pleasing was the number of both new and overseas companies exhibiting at the show.
97% of exhibitors said they though the site was the best yet with its central location and good motorway links.
Comments from Exhibitors included:
· 'Excellent organisation'
· 'We couldn't afford not to be there'
· 'APF 2008 virtually perfect - same again in 2010 please'
· 'We were delighted with the high quality prospects that we met'
Three European Championships in lumberjack sports, poleclimbing and chainsaw carving, two UK championships in Forwarder driving and fencing, an extensive woodland crafts area, vintage machinery, horse logging and mountain biking provided a very high level of skill and competition and were great draws for the spectators. Click here for Competition Results. The Echo European Chainsaw Carving Competition raised over £10000 for the John Radford Hospital Special Care Baby Unit from the auction of carvings. The results of all the competitions can be found elsewhere on the site. Many thanks to all our sponsors Buxtons, Echo, Euroforest, Forestry Commission, Forestry Journal, Husqvarna, Stihl, UPM Tihill and Valmet for all their support.
Over 750 local school children enjoyed guided walks around the demonstration circuit to learn about what happens in a modern working woodland.
APF 2010 will be on the 23/24/25th September 2010. The location will be announced in April. Booking forms and exhibitor packs for 2010 will be available from August 2009 .
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