FSC Canada representatives Karen Kaizer and Jeff Welch attended the 23rd annual Global Buyers Mission (GBM), held September 10–12, 2026, at the Whistler Conference Centre in Whistler, British Columbia.
Hosted by BC Wood, the event attracted more than 500 participants and is widely recognized as Canada’s premier business-development event for value-added wood products. It brings together international buyers, Canadian manufacturers, architects, and other key stakeholders from across the forest sector.
The busy exhibition floor provided valuable opportunities to connect with existing FSC certificate holders, strengthen relationships, and identify new certification opportunities within the value-added wood manufacturing sector. It also offered an effective platform to promote FSC and establish connections with international buyers from China, Japan, India, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mexico, Europe, and other markets.
As FSC continues to work toward increasing demand in international markets, these connections represent important opportunities to influence purchasing preferences, strengthen awareness of FSC, and help generate future demand for FSC-certified products.
In addition to the exhibition, the WoodTALKS™ program featured presentations on custom timber-frame projects and an in-depth examination of the emerging multi-family modular wood-construction sector. Discussions highlighted the significant growth potential of this market, while also addressing the challenges associated with its early adoption.
With value-added wood manufacturing gaining importance and the industry focused on expanding and diversifying export markets, the GBM provides a valuable platform for FSC to advance its objectives and engage with key stakeholders. Building on the relationships and insights gained this year, FSC Canada can assess opportunities to further strengthen the value and impact of its participation in future GBM events.
