Results of the 2004 BC Wood Global Buyers Mission
The Premier Event for the Forest Products Industry

Date: September 16 -18, 2004
Location: Penticton Trade & Convention Centre

The Global Buyers Mission, held September 16th to 18th at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, sold out, attracting over 220 participants including over 50 pre-qualified buyers from Japan, China, Korea, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Denmark, France, Spain and the United States, and over 90 representatives from 53 value-added wood products manufacturers. International buyers had an opportunity to view product displays, hold individual business meetings with Canadian manufacturers, and tour production facilities around British Columbia.

Speaking at the conference was British Columbia's Minister of Forests, the Honourable Michael de Jong. "We have the best forest products, the best sustainable practices and the best place in the world to do business," says de Jong who assisted with the selling theme of the Global Buyers Mission. The Minister's presentation was so well received that many of the participants identified it as a "highlight" of the event.

BC Wood conducted a conference exit survey of participants to gauge the business success of this first Global Buyers Mission. "I have made actual sales of a half a million dollars," one delegate wrote. "I have forged a new relationship with an international buyer that will help to sustain our company for years to come," another delegate stated. These comments and real business transactions demonstrate that this first Global Buyers Mission was a success.

Projected sales from participating manufacturers on November 19th totalled $3,891,000.00 - almost doubling our goal of $2,000,000.00.

The 2004 Global Buyers' Mission was supported with funds and assistance from BC Wood members and its government partners, including Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Ministry of Natural Resources' Canada Wood Export Program, British Columbia's Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd, Export Development Canada, the Canadian Consulate in Seattle and the Community Futures Development Corporation Penticton office.

The 2005 Global Buyers Mission is scheduled for Whistler, September 15 to 17, 2005. Based on the incredible success of this years program, we are targeting 100 buyers of wood products from all over the US, Europe, China, Japan and Korea, to meet with 85 manufacturers from Canada, who can supply a broad range of products including finishing materials, building supplies, and remanufacturing products.

Contact our office for more information at 604-882-7100, or toll free outside the lower mainland at 1-877-422-9663, or by email at info@bcwood.com.