BC Wood celebrated its 21st Annual Global Buyers Mission (GBM) recently and welcomed close to 700 delegates from all over the world to Whistler, BC Canada this year. A number of international markets continue to face economic challenges, so GBM organizers were extremely pleased with the efforts made by those buyers and suppliers that supported and participated in the 2024 Global Buyers Mission.
BC Wood and GBM gave many thanks to their government funding Partners, who without their continued support, this world class event would not be deliverable: Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. (FII), and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Main Corporate Sponsors this year included BFL, Daizen, Glandell Enterprises, Kalesnikoff, Kuehne + Nagel, the San Group Ltd., Silva Panel, SPF Precut, and Watkins/Chemco. New this year, GBM welcomed the North America Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA), which sponsored the Welcome Reception at the Roundhouse, on top of Whistler Mountain. GBM was also thrilled to work with Live Edge Design in creating the Island Lounge, featuring companies and products from Vancouver Island, with contributions from Live Edge Design, Pacifica Woodwork, Centurion Lumber, Forest Cooperage and HFN TimberTiles.
CEO Brian Hawrysh and Board Chairman John Gillis from Centurion Lumber welcomed Opening Ceremony special guest speaker, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests, Melissa Sanderson, who welcomed the group to Whistler and officially opened the 2024 Global Buyers Mission.
This year, GBM registered international buyers from China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Slovenia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Again, noted BC Wood, recognition for a job well done must go to the Federal Trade Commissioner Service and BC’s Trade & Investment Representatives from international markets, that greatly assisted with the buyer recruiting again this year. Mission Leaders this year included representatives from BC China Office, BC Trade and Invest – Taiwan, BC Wood Japan, BC Wood Korea, Canadian High Commission Islamabad – Global Affairs Canada GAC, Embassy of Canada to China, Forestry Innovation Investment China, and Trade and Invest British Columbia, Vietnam Office. With their continued dedication, there were many first-time buyers to the GBM, opening opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to develop new business.
GBM continued to host North American architects, designers, contractors, developers, engineers and specifiers this year, to participate in the popular accredited WoodTALKS™ program, held in conjunction with the GBM. This included a site tour conveniently located in Whistler, successful lunch and learn and sip n’ learn presentations by renowned architects and industry members, as well as a series of Demonstration Workshops on the tradeshow stage.
These activities were well received by both the architect community and participating exhibitors. This year, BC Wood’s WoodTALKS at the GBM also featured a Resort and High-End Residential Symposium on Saturday, with keynote speaker Reinhard Kropf, from Helen & Hard in Norway, presenting with Josh Hall & Geoff Watts from Spearhead.
Canadian products on display from across the country included timber frame structures, engineered wood products, treated lumber including thermally modified wood products, cabinetry, furniture, building materials, products and systems, Western Red Cedar products, and a variety of other value-added wood building products.
BC Wood also organized two Extended Mission programs for incoming international delegates that included site visits and factory tours in the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island. These tours not only educate, but offer buyers immediate source to high quality, innovative, and competitively priced wood products. The tours helped build future business relationships by familiarizing potential customers with Western Canada’s wood species. BC Wood thanks the many local companies that made the effort to open their mills, plants and facilities for these informative and productive tours.
Held annually at the Whistler Conference Centre, the GBM continues to be Canada’s largest event dedicated to promoting value-added wood producers.
Also visit www.globalbuyersmission.com.
