The Montréal Wood Convention (MWC) 2025, held recently at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, drew a record 1,200 participants and featured 112 booths, marking the third consecutive sold-out edition.
The MWC 2025 brought together professionals from across the globe to explore the latest trends, technologies and products shaping the future of the wood sector.
Attendees were treated to a dynamic mix of high-level networking, insightful seminars and engaging discussions with top industry leaders.
Among the event’s highlights was a captivating economic conference by Benjamin Tal, Chief Economist at CIBC Capital Markets, addressing the ever-changing economic landscape.
An exclusive panel discussion featured influential voices, such as Jerome Pelletier (J.D. Irving, Limited), Luc Theriault (Domtar), and Ken Shields (Conifex Timber Inc.), moderated by Hamir Patel (CIBC Capital Markets). The session delved into how the industry can navigate supply chain challenges, a turbulent trade landscape and market uncertainties.
This year’s edition also introduced a brand-new feature: a live recording of The Lumber Word podcast, hosted by Ashley Boeckholt, which offered an open and interactive platform to discuss the wood industry’s hottest topics with special guests.
Sven Gustavsson, MWC Event Director, expressed his satisfaction with the results of this year’s event. He commented, “This year’s Convention was particularly exciting, not only because of the record attendance but also due to the relevance and urgency of the topics we covered. We succeeded in fostering meaningful connections, showcasing innovation, and reinforcing the strength of our industry.”
Christian Gilbert, chairman of the organizing committee and director of Sales at J.D. Irving, echoed the sentiment:
“In a time of economic volatility and ongoing tariff issues, the MWC continues to provide a critical platform for collaboration and relationship-building among sawmills, distributors and service providers.”
Rooted in the rich history of the Canadian Lumbermen’s Association (CLA) Convention first held in 1908, the modern Montréal Wood Convention was relaunched in 2013 by four Eastern Canadian industry associations: the Maritime Lumber Bureau (MLB), the Ontario Forest Industry Association (OFIA), the Québec Forest Industry Council (QFIC), and the Québec Wood Export Bureau (QWEB).
With this year’s success, the Montréal Wood Convention reinforces its status as a must-attend gathering for the global wood industry, noted event organizers.
