AWFS going green at 2009 show

The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers is going green for its biennial trade show, AWFS fair 2009, set for July 15-18 in Las Vegas. Display materials and equipment will be environmentally friendly, show refuse will be reduced and recycled, and AWFS will be offering “Going Green,” a special track in the educational program on how companies can make their products and processes “green” and meet new green building standards.

Working with the Las Vegas Convention Center, as well as Freeman, the association’s show general contractor, AWFS is setting a goal of recycling a large percentage of all materials expended at the show. AWFS will also sponsor a shredding machine provided by WEIMA-America, which will reduce waste created by exhibitors. Everything from pallets and crates to all types of wood scrap from demonstration equipment will be salvaged for re-use.

The College of Woodworking Knowledge, the education program of the AWFS fair and the largest in the industry, will feature the “Going Green” track with a set of environmentally oriented seminars. Material covered will include emerging green standards affecting wood products, adhesives and finishes; forest certification programs and chain of custody issues; and sessions designed to help industry professionals understand the requirements of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, a green building certification program created by the U.S. Green Building Council. The full CWWK program will be available online in March.