AHEC to hold first in-person convention in Thailand since COVID-19 pandemic

The choice of Bangkok reinforces the importance of South East Asia as a market for the AHEC

The American Hardwood Export Council’s (AHEC) 25th Southeast Asia Convention will take place at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park on 14 October 2022.

Over 200 delegates will gather in Bangkok for AHEC’s first in-person convention since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These will include representatives from the USA and Hong Kong, 35 AHEC member companies from the USA and Thai industry bodies including the Thai Timber Association and the Thai Furniture Industrial Association. This presents a valuable networking opportunity for designers, manufacturers and distributors across Southeast Asia to strengthen regional and international business ties.

As Thailand’s capital, largest city, economic and cultural hub, Bangkok presented an easy choice for AHEC.  It is the second time that Bangkok will play host to AHEC’s convention.

According to AHEC, the convention will feature a plenary session with keynote speakers from the US including market and timber experts. They will provide insight into the most recent market conditions and highlight opportunities for Southeast Asian importers, manufacturers and designers who can benefit from using American timber in their work. There will also be a feature interview with emerging Thai Designer Nong Chotipatoomwan,  whose work was part of the Wallpaper* exhibition ‘Discovered’ at the London Design Museum in 2021 in collaboration with AHEC and went on to exhibit at the Triennale in Milan in 2022.

The proven environmental credentials of American hardwood species will be a central theme for the event. Industry players across the region will learn how sustainable American hardwoods can contribute to environmentally responsible business practices and the healthy future of our built environments.