Forestry industry leaders from across South Carolina converged on Clemson University Tuesday for an all-day conference billed as an opportunity to forge collaborations between business and higher education.
The Forestry Industry Advisory Conference was hosted by Clemson’s forestry and environmental conservation department and attended by more than 70 industry executives and representatives from state and federal agencies. The attendees worked with Clemson administrators, faculty, extension foresters and students to find ways they can partner to keep the state’s $20 billion forestry industry humming.
The conference’s keynote speaker was John D. Williams, chief executive officer of Domtar Corporation, the largest integrated producer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America.
Williams spoke about the need for creativity and innovation in an industry that will be renewing much of its workforce over the coming years.
“Clemson’s number one deliverable is fabulous graduates,” Williams said. “This industry, regardless of the grade we’re making now, is going to face its challenges and we need talented teams of people who can help the industry overcome these challenges.”
From The Clemson Newsstand: https://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-hosts-conference-designed-to-strengthen-south-carolina-forestry-industry/