After the success of Carrefour International du Bois in 2022, the show returns once again to host a wide range of businesses operating across Europe and with an impact on the UK marketplace.
Taking place in Nantes, France every two years, the three-day event covers a range of products and services alongside conference and seminar sessions.
It will take place 28-30 May at the Parc des Expositions de la Beaujoire.
The 2022 show was a record breaker, both in terms of the number of exhibitors (607 exhibitors) and the number of visitors (14,000 visitors – a 20% increase compared to the previous show – including the proportion of international exhibitors, which was considerable and saw professionals visit from over 40 countries.
With only a few months before the opening of this unique event, the organiser, Fibois Pays de la Loire, is looking forward to even more visitors and more stand sales.
Great step forward for stand sales
A major indicator that signals a successful event is that Carrefour International du Bois was fully booked by the end of 2023.
The exhibitors’ enthusiasm for this biennial event was clearly high.
Géraldine Cesbron, the Tradeshow Manager for Carrefour International du Bois says: “Despite the market turmoil announced for 2024 across various markets, the show remains a highlight for the entire timber industry for them to take advantage of the event to secure new products and suppliers, find new partners and to develop their business with customers from all over the world.”
New 2024 features will continue the strong momentum of previous shows
With its record attendance, the 2022 edition of Carrefour International du Bois was such a success that it is now forcing the organisers to change the show: “The show has reached such a level with the number of exhibitors and visitors, it has become necessary to ensure that the event is clear and comprehensible for everyone,” adds Géraldine.
“It is important for visitors to optimise their time so we are facilitating a clear path around the show so visitors can spend plenty of time seeing the stands and talking to our exhibitors.”
Visibility and sectorisation
The growth of Carrefour International du Bois in recent years has given the organisers the opportunity to improve the visibility of products and improve the visitor experience. For 2024, the four large exhibition halls will be arranged in major sectors:
Halls 1 & 2 will welcome exhibitors from the Panels & Flooring sectors
The Grand Palais will house the Construction sector
The XXL Hall, which will be opened for the first time at the show, offers an additional 12,000sq m of exhibition space. It will house professionals from the Sawmill, Forestry and Timber Trade sectors.
New opening days
Another change proposed by Fibois Pays de la Loire for Carrefour International du Bois is the opening of the show on new days to simplify the logistics of the exhibitors and optimise the visitors time at the show.
The show will be open for three days from Tuesday to Thursday, instead of the past Wednesday to Friday dates.
A word from the president of the tradeshow
“Carrefour International du Bois remains the only international event where timber traders, consumers, manufacturers, operators, processors, and distributors – as well as institutions – come together to find solutions to each of their needs.
“It is a place of synergies between professionals.
“It is indeed a highlight not to be missed because it is one of the unique opportunities to meet face-to-face, to discuss the economic situation and consider future solutions with confidence.
At trade shows, professionals can work on industry strengths, move forward together and find solutions to forge real links for a better future.”
Also, during Carrefour International du Bois, two professional meetings will be taking place concerning the wood pellet heating sector: 28 May: the European Pellet Forum, the industry’s international event and 29 May: the Propellet Event concerning the French market.
You can register for the show and your free access badge at www.timbershow.com
