Dear Sir/Madam, Apologies for the inconvenience caused by any cross posting. May I bring to your kind attention the deadline for submission of abstracts to the ''International Conference and Exhibition on the Art and Joy of Wood'', taking place in Bangalore, India during 19-22 October 2011. This major event in the International Year of Forests aims to explore how the development of wood products can contribute to both livelihoods and more sustainable lifestyles. Conference: About 350 attendees will hear from the experts coming from different continents (please see <http://www.artjoywood.org/speakers> http://www.artjoywood.org/speakers) Hope you would encourage interested colleagues to register for the conference or send abstract before 01 July 2011. Global photography competition: Please encourage interested colleagues to send entries before 15 July 2011 to <mailto:susy.tafuro@fao.org> susy.tafuro(a)fao.org. Exhibition: During the commercial exhibition (50 exhibitors, about 10,000 visitors), one can sell, promote the products and gain the attention of the media and public. Please encourage interested exhibitors to register soon. There will be artisans' exhibitions, cocktail reception and conference dinner, "music from wood" concert, field trips etc. Please see the note below and conference website ( <https://faohqmail.fao.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=2d4964588a4c43659215c76dd281baf6 &URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.artjoywood.org%2f> www.artjoywood.org) for details. Please let me know if you find an opportunity to involve with this event. In the meantime, kindly encourage your contacts to participate in the conference, exhibition and photograph competition. Let me thank you for supporting our efforts and joining with us to celebrate the International Year of Forests. Yours faithfully, Illias Animon, Ph.D. Forestry Officer (Economics) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy Telephone: 06-570-55297 Fax. 06-5705-5514 email: <mailto:illias.animon@fao.org> illias.animon(a)fao.org