The 20th Annual Global Buyers Mission will be held live in Whistler, BC, from September 7th to 9th, 2023.
The Softwood Forest Products Buyer has been actively participating in and reporting on this world class event that takes place in Whistler, BC every September. Of course, now that Covid traveling and meeting restrictions have been lifted, buyers from around the world have an opportunity to meet Canadian wood products suppliers again in Whistler.
Now that the BC Wood Specialties Group is about to launch the 20th annual event, we thought it a good time to remind everyone how and why this has become such an important activity for both wood product buyers from across the globe – and manufacturers and sellers from across Canada.
Organizer Randi Walker from BC Wood says, “With the relaxation of Covid restrictions to travel from all countries, there is a pent-up need for people to get back together and re-establish relationships, so important in this industry.
We will continue to go to Whistler to get away from the city and take in the ambience of this world class resort – a Village that is literally a testament to the beauty and versatility of building with wood.
“Our mandate at BC Wood has always been to connect buyers of wood products with sellers and manufacturers from Canada. We continue to do this by inviting qualified buyers – whether they are from the U.S., Japan, Europe – anywhere in the world that buys or wants to buy wood from Canada, with the manufacturers and suppliers. We keep the event to a manageable size, so that we can entertain and accommodate all the participants. We make it very easy by negotiating discount rates at world class hotels like the Westin Whistler Resort and the Delta Whistler Suites; providing ground transport to and from Whistler to Vancouver; providing the meals and activities and generally, just making it a welcoming place to come and do business. All buyers have to do is get to Vancouver. They pay one low flat fee ($355 CAD + tax) – and we organize the rest for them. As well, there are many activities and adventures available throughout Whistler and the local environs while they are visiting the area.”
During the trade show portion of the event, there is the opportunity of meeting with Canadian manufacturers of products that include engineered and mass timber wood products; remanufactured items and components; pre-fabricated housing and structures; log / post & beam / timber-frame homes and structures; millwork & finished building products and specialty lumber including Eastern Canadian hardwoods, Western Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Hemlock, Douglas Fir and SPF – all in a comfortable, networking environment.
BC Wood knows that in today’s particularly challenging market, it is important to find new sources of quality, competitively priced wood products and to stay on top of new products and changing market needs. Business and building in the U.S. is growing and buyers must take the opportunity of meeting as many suppliers as possible, staying open to finding new sources and products. New rules and regulations make it imperative that buyers stay on top of their game, ensuring their programs are meeting the diverse needs of their customers. The GBM offers that chance and welcomes buyers from across the U.S. Whether you need hardwood or Softwood reman stock for your manufacturing business in California, shakes & shingles for your customers in Maine or large timbers and high-end millwork for your resort development project in Hawaii – you will find top-notch manufacturers and suppliers at the GBM in Whistler.
If you’re unsure if you are on the invitation list already or would like to be invited, contact gbm@bcwood.com. For pictures of previous events, to get a better idea of what happens on the Mountain, or to see what kind of companies participate in the event, visit the website at bcwood.com.
If you are reading this article in the Softwood Buyer, chances are you could benefit by being part of the GBM.
