Wood Solutions Conference

The Wood Solutions Conference represents Canada's premier gathering for sustainable construction professionals focused on wood building technologies. Now in its 15th year, the event has established itself as a critical forum for advancing mass timber construction, engineered wood products, and prefabricated building systems as alternatives to carbon-intensive steel and concrete construction methods. The 2017 edition attracted over 600 participants, 22 speakers, and 31 exhibitors, demonstrating the growing industry interest in sustainable building practices.

Attendees can expect comprehensive coverage of cutting-edge wood construction technologies, including presentations on mass timber panel systems, engineered wood products like glued laminated timber (glulam), and innovative prefabrication methods that are transforming the construction industry. The conference features internationally recognized speakers such as Vancouver architect Michael Green, known globally for his advocacy of wood construction, and representatives from leading architectural firms like London-based Waugh Thistleton Architects, who bring real-world experience in implementing sustainable building solutions.

The event holds particular significance for the Canadian forestry and construction sectors as building codes evolve to accommodate taller wood buildings. With British Columbia already permitting six-story wood residential construction and over 300 related projects underway, the conference provides essential insights into regulatory developments and market opportunities. The strong government support, including funding from Natural Resources Canada and provincial sponsors like Forestry Innovation Investment, underscores the strategic importance of wood construction in Canada's climate action strategies.

For industry professionals, the conference offers invaluable networking opportunities with the complete wood construction value chain, from forestry companies and manufacturers to architects, engineers, and developers who are actively implementing these technologies in real projects. The combination of technical presentations, policy updates, and commercial exhibitions makes this event essential for anyone involved in sustainable construction or seeking to understand how wood building technologies are reshaping the built environment in response to climate change imperatives.