Some 200 delegates attended the launch of Timber Expo 2011 last week at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, with more than 20 companies booking or reserving stands on the day.
Trada chief executive Andrew Abbott said: "We have developed a commercial model to meet the needs of the post-recession construction industry, an industry which is value-driven and environmentally aware."

Trada's In Touch With Timber conference will continue, embedded into the new exhibition, and will draw on case studies from leading architects and engineers, as well as offering practical workshops.

The exhibition's online booking facility is now live, where exhibitors can call up the floor plan, click on the selected stand space, enter contact details and choose from four payment methods. Once booked, exhibitors will be able to access their own area of the website to add press releases, brochures and updates.

Swift Training School, one of the first companies to sign up, will stage an interactive demonstration and masterclass over the two days of the show, offering school leavers the opportunity to win a place on the Swift Training Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship scheme.