WRCLA’s 2026 Cedar Summit And Cedar School Bring Industry Together in Victoria
The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association’s (WRCLA) 2026 Cedar Summit and Cedar School wrapped up another successful week of business sessions, networking opportunities and hands-on training seminars with nearly 160 industry professionals in attendance, including 33 Cedar School students from across North America and abroad.
The annual event began with the week-long Cedar School program, hosted throughout Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria, British Columbia. Students ranging from newcomers with less than one year of industry experience to seasoned professionals with more than 15 years in the business participated in a comprehensive curriculum focused on all aspects of the Western Red Cedar industry.
The Cedar School featured manufacturing and grading theory classes and practicums, finishing and installation seminars, marketing and social media presentations, forestry education and extensive mill and woodland tours. Participants visited the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, Partap Forest Products, Pacific Western Wood Works, Western Forest Products’ Duke Point Sawmill and nursery operations, gaining firsthand insight into sustainable forestry practices and Cedar manufacturing processes.
While the Cedar School continued throughout the week, the 72nd Annual WRCLA AGM and Cedar Summit officially kicked off at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria, BC. The opening event, the always popular WRCLA Golf Tournament at Bear Mountain’s Valley Course, drew strong participation from Western Red Cedar manufacturers, remanufacturers, distributors and retailers from across North America.
Following the tournament, attendees gathered for the Welcome Reception and Dinner overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour before the summit business sessions got underway the following morning. The business session included introductory remarks and concluding comments from WRCLA Managing Director Brad Kirkbride, program updates and initiatives, as well as a keynote presentation by Paul Jannke, Principal of Forest Economic Advisors (FEA), who addressed the economic outlook and critical issues facing the forest products sector.
This year’s summit attracted delegates from throughout North America, along with an attendee from New Zealand, highlighting the global reach and continued interest in Western Red Cedar and the association’s programs.
A major highlight of the summit was the presentation of the Jeff Derby Cedar Champion Award to Nick Arkle of Selkirk in recognition of his outstanding contributions and dedication to the Western Red Cedar industry.
The summit also marked an important leadership transition for the association, as Ben Meachen of OrePac Building Products officially passed the Chair position to Aidan Coyles of Gilbert Smith Forest Products. In addition, Anna McNally of Western Forest Products assumed the role of Vice Chair.
The week concluded with the Vice Chairman’s Reception and Chairman’s Dinner at Victoria’s iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, providing attendees with one final opportunity to connect, celebrate and reflect on another successful Cedar Summit before departing the following day.
Founded in 1954 and known as “the voice of the Cedar industry,” the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association continues to support manufacturers, distributors and supply chain partners through education, marketing and industry advocacy programs across North America and internationally.
The WRCLA would like to thank all attendees, students, sponsors and member companies for their continued support and participation in this year’s Cedar Summit and Cedar School and looks forward to welcoming everyone again in 2027 in Whistler, BC.
Learn more at realcedar.com.
