The next Ligna in Hannover, Germany will be held May 15-19, 2023, following the announcement that the event planned for this September 27 to October 1 has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. The event was originally scheduled for this past May, which was delayed until September.

Organizers Deutsche Messe and VDMA Woodworking Machinery Assn. cited a continuing high level of infection worldwide, and a slow national and international progress on vaccination and the continuing existence of travel restrictions.

“We have therefore decided to cancel Ligna as a physical event in 2021,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG.

As an alternative, the organizers plan to set up a digital networking and content platform that will be launched at the end of September.

Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of VDMA Woodworking Machinery, comments, “At Ligna, we have to take into account that entire machine parks are designed, set up and presented in live operation with a long lead time and a great deal of effort. This requires many months of trade show planning. This is the reason why we have now been forced to make a decision on holding Ligna in the fall in order to give our customers the necessary planning security.”

“Ligna’s unique selling point is live demonstrations of tools, machinery and equipment, up to complete production lines,” adds Christian Pfeiffer, Global Director Ligna & Woodworking Shows at Deutschen Messe. “Ligna will remain the driving force for the international woodworking and processing industry.”

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Mark Tibbetts has joined the staff of APA—The Engineered Wood Assn. as he transitions to the president position July 1, 2021, when Ed Elias retires. Tibbetts was selected by the group’s Board of Trustees through a lengthy search process after Elias announced plans in 2020 to retire.

Tibbetts brings more than 15 years of experience in association and nonprofit program management, environmental policy and business development. He has held leadership and management positions in the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, Thermostat Recycling Corp., National Electrical Manufacturers Assn. and American Public Works Assn. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maine. He and his family are moving from Alexandria, Va. to Tacoma, Wash. where APA is headquartered.

Elias has served APA and the engineered wood industry for more than 40 years, beginning as an associate scientist in 1977. After 10 years in various roles within the Technical Services Div., he went on to lead the International Marketing and Financial and Administrative Services divisions. He also served as corporate secretary and vice president before being named president in 2013.

“APA is in as strong a financial and strategic position as it has ever been,” Elias says. “I am confident that through Mark and the APA staff, the Board of Trustees and the support of this industry, this association will continue to grow, capitalizing on a fluid marketplace and becoming more globally relevant every day.”

Tibbetts becomes the 12th executive leader in the group’s almost 90-year history.

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