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Brian Hawrysh

On June 11th, we were invited to attend a special reception for suppliers, whose support helped build the new Ronald McDonald House� BC. Many BC Wood members generously donated their time, products and materials to the new RMH. We had an exclusive sneak peek at BC's new home-away-from-home for BC and Yukon's sick kids and families - capable of handling up to 73 families at one time. The previous house could support only 13 families, so this new facility, designed by architect Michael Green, is one of the top 5 in the world.

On June 16th, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon reached a milestone seven years in the making, with the grand opening of the brand new facility on the grounds of BC Children's Hospital.

"This is a momentous day for seriously ill children and their families in British Columbia," said Richard Pass, CEO, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon. "We are extremely grateful to each and every person who made this new House possible - from our donors, to the public to the Province of BC and McDonald's� Canada. With the new Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, over 2,500 families each year will have a home-away-from-home while their child is receiving medical care in Vancouver.",

Click here for views of the construction process

Wood is an abundant and renewable natural resource which is suitable for many types of building construction. The Government of Canada Supports the research and development of wood-based construction. Watch this quick video on the benefits of wood in building construction.   

Small businesses can now garner the same benefits as their larger competitors at industry events and trade shows. Once seen as a corporate Who's Who of business leaders, industry events are now recognized as an excellent opportunity for smaller local businesses and cottage industries. Trade show booth rentals have become more affordable, making these lucrative events a solid investment in future profitability for even the smallest business. The ROI is undeniable and the up-front investment is surprisingly affordable. Here are just 5 reasons that trade shows can help small businesses grow:

1. Renting Trade Show Booths

If your small business may not be able to afford a staff of marketing specialists or the production of a trade show booth, renting a booth could be a viable option. By renting trade show booths, your small business gets all the advantages of working with a team of experts and housing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, without the expense. Trade show booths are designed by you, in conjunction with a team of advertising professionals, at a price you can afford. Your brand and your message will make a powerful statement with a rented display, while staying within your specified budget.

Randi Walker

We will be back at the beautiful Whistler Conference Centre for our 11th Annual GBM and have once again almost sold out the floorspace for Canadian wood products manufacturers and suppliers. We have negotiated excellent hotel rates for you in Whistler Village and you will particularly enjoy the upgrades at the Delta Suites.

If you haven't already registered, you don't want to miss this opportunity to showcase your products to over 300 pre-qualified international buyers and North American Architects, Designers, Builders, Contractors, Developers & Engineers. Last year, over $33 million in new business was developed at this event alone. Click here to see who has signed up to exhibit already.

Here's a short video on last year's event

2013 Global Buyers Mission

Pre-qualified Buyers will come from the US, Western Europe, China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Taiwan and some newer markets like the Philippines and Malaysia.

Proposed Program Schedule

Thursday - September 4th

• BC Wood AGM; WRCLA meetings; Wood First Seminars; Exhibitor set-up
• Evening Welcome Reception at the spectacular Roundhouse Lodge at the Peak of Whistler Mountain for all participants

Friday - September 5th

• Breakfast with Opening Ceremony and Morning Networking/Tradeshow/Meetings
• Afternoon Teal Jones Group Sponsored Golf Tournament; Architects (Wood First) in-booth presentations; or Whistler free time
• Gala Evening Reception, sponsored by Alberta

Saturday - September 6th

• Breakfast and Morning Networking/Tradeshow/Meetings
• Exhibitor teardown

Exhibit space is now VERY limited and will be available on a first-come / first-served basis. If you haven't already registered, contact us for your online registration link at gbm@bcwood.com or call Randi at 604-882-7100.

*Above image from Whistler Conference Centre 

This year, BC Wood is planning a return to the Mexican market to look at opportunities for BC's wood products. Mexico is a market which was showing good initial promise prior to the economic and construction downturn in the United States in 2008. Even during the downturn, Mexico's dependence on imported wood products, now at US $1.4 billion per year, has been increasing at 5.5% annually. Softwoods comprise the vast majority of wood products imported into Mexico with some hardwoods used primarily in the furniture industry (hard maple and alder are popular imports).

Almost half of the total wood imports come from the US; much of this share is vulnerable to Canadian competition. Deforestation remains a severe problem and Mexico's substandard infrastructure compels the country to rely on foreign sources of wood products. As the US and Canadian economies continue to expand, it is expected that Mexico will be forced to depend on larger and larger volumes of wood imports. In 2012, Canada exported almost $17 million of manufactured wood products to Mexico. This was an increase of 30.1% from the previous year. BC's share of this total was $6 million, a year over year increase of 49%.

BC Wood will coordinate the exhibition of member companies at the Expo CIHAC in Mexico City. Expo CIHAC is the premier event in Mexico and Latin America for the construction industry. This trade event focuses on the importers and distributors of construction and building products, but also goods that are used in industrial application like the packaging and furniture manufacturing sectors. The Expo CIHAC will be a suitable fit for many suppliers for hardwood and softwood lumber and other wood based building materials.

BC Wood will also coordinate a trade mission component post CIHAC that will take participants to directly visit and meet with Mexican wood importers, distributors, and manufacturers. Member companies that participate in this event will have an opportunity to gain first-hand market intelligence, meet with qualified buyers, and increase the sales potential of their products. For more information on CIHAC trade show and the proposed mission contact Ken Hori at 604-882-7100 or by email at khori@bcwood.com.

In late September, BC Wood and its' members will participate in the Denver Log and Timber Frame Home show, Sept. 26th -28th. The Denver show features displays from manufacturers of log and timber frame home manufacturers, pre-fabricated 2x4 and 2x6 house packages, and finished building products such as roofing, flooring, decking, and rustic furniture. Over the past few years, a number of BC Wood members from the log and timber frame home sector have used the Denver show to maintain a toe hold in the US market while they cut back on some of their other promotional activities during the slower economic times.

The B.C. log and timber frame builders have remained active in a number of regional markets in the U.S., like the Rocky Mountain States, because it has been one of the few areas that have has shown some activity. The Rocky Mountain States, due to their close geographic proximity to BC, product acceptance, and the clustering of resort developments catering to a wealthy demographic, have continued to be a relatively strong market for BC producers.

The feedback from the members attending recent Denver shows has been generally very positive. The number of attendees, while not back to pre-2008 levels, has been growing each year since 2011. Most exhibitors reported a more positive attitude from the attendees at the show. Individuals who had been hesitant over the past few years to take the final step towards building their projects came to the show ready to build.

For more background on the Denver show or to register to exhibit at this event, please do not hesitate to contact me at bhawrysh@bcwood.com

China International Exhibition on Housing Industry in Beijing 2014

BC Wood's Asian offices are currently in high-gear recruiting for this year's GBM, but we are also getting ready for our fall in-market trade show activities. Immediately after the GBM, the first show in Asia we will be the China International Exhibition on Housing Industry in Beijing from September 16th to 18th. This show targets the emerging market of wood framed construction and attracts all of the major players in China involved in importing construction lumber, developing resort properties, and building high-end wood-framed structures.

The CIEHI offers the best opportunity in China for Canadian companies looking to export: construction grade dimension lumber, engineered wood products, timberframe packages, packaged 2x4 and log structures, WRC outdoor products, as well as finishing materials. Its main exhibits include: 1. Wooden architecture: wooden houses, vacation cabins, wood gazebos & pergolas, and light wood frame & heavy timber structures; 2. Wooden structural materials; 3. Wooden structures and equipment; and 4. Other wood materials including flooring, decking, fencing, stairs, outdoor furniture, etc., landscape planning, construction, and maintenance including landscape design, golf course design and construction, green roofs, tourism development planning, etc.

Those interested in learning more about the show should contact Jim at ivanoff@canadawood.jp