OT-1993
December 12, 2019
Remarks by AIT Director W. Brent Christensen
At the Grand Opening Ceremony
of the 31st Taipei Building Show
December 12, 2019
(As Prepared for Delivery)
The National Association of Architects Chairman Cheng, Architecture and Building Research Institute Director-General Wang, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
To begin with, I would like to express my great appreciation to the show organizers for their continued support for AIT’s USA Pavilion at the Taipei Building Show. This is our 12th year in a row to organize a country pavilion. I would also like to congratulate the show organizers for the increasing popularity of this exhibition. The show has successfully attracted more international exhibitors and overseas buyers from Asia, Europe, and North America.
As you may know, all year long AIT has been celebrating AIT’s 40th anniversary and 40 years of U.S.-Taiwan friendship with a campaign called AIT@40. Each month we highlighted U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on a different theme, and December is AIT@40 Environment Month.
Thus, it is fitting that today we should focus our attention on wood, an eco-friendly building material with huge potential for energy conservation.
Our pavilion will feature many U.S. wood products, wood frame construction designs, and home decorations. Wood is the most significant building material in the United States for homes and several other types of constructions.
In our experience, energy-saving wood is an ideal material. We are not only promoting wood products, but also the advantages of living in wood frame structures.
That is why AIT’s Agricultural Trade Office will conduct a seminar on wood: From Traditional to Innovation, at the Taipei Marriot Hotel on Friday.
AIT has been working for many years with U.S. and local industry associations in organizing educational programs on wood technical design. Providing technical support and exchanging research information on wood design and standards has always been our primary focus in Taiwan.
In conclusion, I want to wish everyone a productive exhibition, and I especially want to thank all of our partners that are here today for your continued support, which has led to such a strong and positive relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan building industries.
As AIT@40 celebrations come to close, this event further underscores the multi-faceted nature of our partnership that continues to grow. We believe this idea is exemplified by our motto, “Strong Foundation, Bright Future.” [立穩根基，共創未來]
Thank you!
