The second Certification Watch Conference will be held in Montreal on January 31 - February 1 2002 on the theme "Forest Certification and Corporate Responsibility."

Prominent speakers are confirmed to address the conference, including senior corporate executives from The Home Depot, Westvaco, Canfor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Centex Homes, Pella Corporation and IKEA. Leading forest certification systems will be represented at the conference, including the Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Canadian Standards Association and Pan-European Forest Certification. Please visit the conference website at www.CertificationWatchConference.org for the complete listing and bios of the 18 distinguished speakers scheduled to address the conference.

Conference speakers will present and discuss their perspectives on the contribution of forest certification to corporate responsibility, the latest developments of the leading certification schemes and corporate wood procurement policies geared towards certified forest products. "Our conferences provide first-hand, first-rate information from the people who influence forest certification" says Jean-Pierre Kiekens, Editor of Forest Certification Watch and Conference Chair. He adds: "This year's theme, forest certification and corporate responsibility, was chosen because sustainable forest management certification is increasingly becoming a standard business practice among major forest products corporations, particularly in North America and Europe."

The conference host, Certification Watch, is pleased to welcome Chuck Leavell, National Outstanding Tree Farmer in 1999 and author of "Forever Green: The History and Hope of the American Forest" as after-dinner speaker on January 31. Called "The Sixth Rolling Stone" by People Magazine, Chuck Leavell has been associated with the Stones since 1982. One of pop music's most respected and sought-after pianists, Chuck Leavell's piano and keyboard work has been heard on the recordings of the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and many more. Chuck Leavell is expected to play a few tunes after delivering his after dinner address.

Another special guest speaker at the conference will be the Honourable John Snobelen, Minister of Natural Resources for the Province of Ontario. Minister Snobelen will speak about his commitment to promote sustainable forest management and certification in Ontario, including the Ontario Living Legacy process and work with the Forest Stewardship Council and the Canadian Standards Association certification systems. "Sixth Rolling Stone" to Address Forest Certification Conference Certification Watch is particularly pleased to welcome Chuck Leavell and Minister Snobelen as special guest speakers. "Public forestlands in Canada and non-industrial private forests in the United States are both critical for sustainable forestry and forest products certification in North America," says Jean-Pierre Kiekens, Conference Chair.

The Certification Watch Conference has a convenient one and half day format, which makes it easy to find the time to attend. The conference is arranged around other significant forestry events in Montreal, including PaperWeek 2002.

In order to guarantee your participation, as well as to benefit from reduced rates, take advantage of early registration, which ends on December 31, 2001. Note that the pricing structure is favorable to organizations that send several delegates to the conference.

For more information, please explore the conference website at www.CertificationWatchConference.org.

Sustainable Forestry & Certification Watch

Sustainable Forestry & Certification Watch

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