BC Wood celebrated our 22nd Annual Global Buyers and welcomed over 500 delegates from all over the world to Whistler, BC Canada.
This International Event continues to be a great success for buyers and suppliers alike, with estimates from 2024 of over $34 million in new business developed.
Once again, international pre-qualified buyers had the opportunity to meet with Canadian manufacturers of wood products that include mass & heavy timber, engineered wood products; remanufactured items and components; prefabricated housing and structures; log / post & beam / timberframe homes and structures; millwork & finished building products; and specialty lumber including Western Red Cedar – all in a great networking environment.
Thanks to the Federal Trade Commissioner Service and BC’s Trade & Investment Representatives from markets around the world, there were many first-time Buyers invited to the GBM, offering opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to develop new business.
North American buyers & specifiers also participated in our new Specifier Workshops program, held in conjunction with the GBM. This program included site tours, presentations by renowned industry members, as well as a series of Demonstration Workshops.
BC Wood also organized two Extended Mission programs for incoming international delegates that include site visits and factory tours in the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island. Besides helping Buyers immediately source 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. We appreciate the many local companies that made an effort to open their mills and plants 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.
In addition to the several daytime events that happen at the GBM, the GBM also hosted two evening networking receptions which were included in the registration. The first evening reception kicked off at the Roundhouse Lodge on the top of Whistler Mountain. The delegates enjoyed the gondola ride up the mountain and took in Whistler’s world-famous mountain views while enjoying a night of catching up with colleagues and customers.
The Friday evening reception and Casino night was held at the Whistler Conference Centre, where participants had an opportunity to network, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and decompress after a busy tradeshow day.
To receive more information about the Global Buyers Mission please email us at gbm@bcwood.com
