Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Investing Globally in Forestland

On September 10-12, 2007 WFI held its first Global Series event in the “Who Will Own the Forest?” series of summits. The event entitled “Investing Globally in Forestland,” was attended by 275 representatives from the forest industry, TIMOs, pensions and investment community and consultants. The conference examined potential benefits and challenges to investing in timberland and was directed to investors in U.S. properties and to issues encountered by investors in acquiring offshore properties.

21 speakers from various countries presented, including WFC directors Colin McKenzie, Dennis Neilson, Bill Bradley, Ken Hines, Jeff Nuss and Rick Smith. Sponsorship for the event was at an all-time high of 18 corporations and associations: American Forest & Paper Association, Forest Capital Partners, The Forestland Group, Forest Systems, Green Crow, Green Diamond Resource Company, Hancock Timber Resource Group, John Hancock Bond and Corporate Finance Group, MetLife Timberland Finance Group, Moss Adams, Port Blakely Tree Farms, RMK Timberland Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Stimson Lumber Company, Stoel Rives, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, Timberland Investment Resources, and TimberWest.

The success of the event highlighted that interest in timberlands as an asset class remains strong. With land values in North America rising, many investors are now eyeing opportunities offshore.

Click on WFC President Gary Hartshorn for more photos.

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