At the Global Buyers Mission (GBM), held in Whistler, September 10 – 12, 2015, wood buyers from around the world came together with Canadian manufacturers of wood products at industry events and a tradeshow.
On hand to welcome delegates and officially open the GBM, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson also announced a $2.2 million investment in the Government of B.C.’s Wood First program.
The funding will be used to help advance innovative wood-building systems and value-added wood products, as well as promote wood use in B.C. in order to showcase B.C. wood products and expertise to international markets.
“Product innovation and value-added processing is generating more value for British Columbians from each tree harvested, ensuring that B.C.’s forest sector continues to be a leading contributor to the B.C. economy,” said Thomson.
Delegates were encouraged to visit a wide range of manufacturers and the naturally:wood resource centre to learn about B.C. wood species and sustainable forests in addition to product manufacturing and building innovations in British Columbia.
The Wood First program and naturally:wood are managed by Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the province’s market development agency for forest products. The Global Buyers Mission is organized by BC Wood, a not-for-profit trade association that represents B.C.’s value-added wood sector.
