Attendees Cast Market Challenges Aside To Support Annual Global Buyers Mission
BC Wood celebrated its 22nd Annual Global Buyers Mission (GBM) recently and welcomed almost 500 delegates from all over the world to Whistler, BC Canada. A number of international markets continue to face economic challenges, so event organizers were extremely pleased with the efforts made by those buyers and suppliers that supported and participated in the 2025 Global Buyers Mission.
BC Wood also expressed thanks to its government funding partners, who without their continued support, this world-class event would not be deliverable. These included: Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. (FII) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The main corporate sponsors this year included Glandell Enterprises, Gorman Group/Selkirk, Jazz Forest Products, Kuehne + Nagel, Larix Resources, Leslie Forest Products, Partap Forest Products, Silva Timber Products and The Waldun Group. BC Wood was also thrilled to work with Brent Comber Originals and Live Edge Design to create a lounge area to showcase sculpted objects, functional pieces and design environments.
BC Wood CEO Brian Hawrysh and Board Chairperson Kelly Marciniw welcomed the Opening Ceremony special guest speaker, Premier David Eby, who welcomed the group to Whistler and officially opened the 2025 Global Buyers Mission.
They hosted a timely and insightful Tariff Panel Discussion, introduced by Minister Ravi Parmar, that brought together industry leaders and experts to delve into the challenges, opportunities, and mitigation strategies amid rising global trade tensions. The event was well-attended by the industry, underscoring the importance and urgency of the topic.
This year, GBM registered international buyers from China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. Again, recognition for a job well done must go to the Federal Trade Commissioner Service and BC’s Trade & Investment Representatives from international markets that assisted with the buyer recruiting again this year, noted BC Wood.
Mission Leaders this year included representatives from BC China Office, BC Trade and Invest – Taiwan, BC Wood Japan, BC Wood Korea, and Embassy of Canada to Indonesia. With their continued dedication, there were many first-time buyers to the GBM, opening opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to develop new business.
Learn more at globalbuyersmission.com.
