In our last Wood Connections, being the first issue of BC Wood’s new fiscal year, we provided a summary of the events from the 2012 – 2013 fiscal year. For this issue, I will discuss what we have planned for the upcoming year.

To begin, we will become more involved with the various associations we are now connected with, including the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), the Independent Contractors Business Association (ICBA), and the Architect Institute of BC (AIBC). Each of these associations has annual conferences which we will be participating at in whatever capacity that is available to us. For example, we have already booked exhibition space at two of these associations’ conferences, VRCA’s conference which will be held in Whistler at the end of May and at the AIBC’s conference in October. This will be the first time BC Wood will have participated in these events.

Regarding AIBC, one of the major reasons we are participating in their annual conference is that this year, for the first time, they are partnering with the American Institute of Architects – Northwest & Pacific Region. The conference takes place on October 23-26 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Aside from these specific events, we are also planning on the following:

• A minimum of 40 Lunch & Learn sessions for Architects, Interior Designers, Contractors, and Builders at their facilities
• Group seminars which will be held in offsite locations
• Factory tours and accompanying seminars for interested participants

The goal for all these activities is to continue to increase awareness of the great products we make in our Province to the aforementioned groups so they will ultimately specify and use BC manufactured value-added wood products.

Speaking of great products from our industry, I had the pleasure of visiting a project last week that made extensive use of a BC produced product, Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). Although it has been around for a while, LVL’s BC production is in its early stages. Manufactured by Brisco Manufacturing in Brisco, BC (East Kootenays), this LVL has been used for columns, beams, walls, stairs, and a mezzanine floor. The architect who designed the project and specified the LVL is Michael Green. The project is still in its construction stages and is not expected to be completed until July. Even at this stage, one can clearly see the beauty of this wood product. I can hardly wait to see the project when it is completed and the product is fully finished.

*Picture above: LVL Column & Beams

*Picture below: LVL Mezzanine

Last week, I also attended a conference hosted by the International Wood Products Association out of Washington, DC. The conference was at the Westin Bayshore and was attended by representatives from USA and Canada. During the conference, at a panel discussion, another couple of great BC products were given homage, Cross Laminated Timbers and Silva Panels, with both being highly touted.

All in all, a pretty good week spotlighting some great BC produced products

All of these products and many others have been given a great deal of exposure to the Specifier Community through the Specifier Program. As we are just embarking on our new fiscal year, if your company has not yet participated in the Specifier Program it would be a great time to start. For further information, please contact me at rmanion@bcwood.com

*LVL Wall & Stairs

By Roy Manion

This is a short, midsummer report and it is all about the GBM.

The Specifier Program at the GBM is coming along nicely. All the speakers and seminars for Thursday’s Wood First Forum are in place as is Saturday’s lunch & learn session which features Neil Godin. The entire program provides architects with 9 learning units, half of what is required for the entire year; a great incentive for the architects, so we are expecting a good turnout.

This year, we have developed a brochure for the Specifiers Program at the GBM / Wood First Forum. To access the agenda brochure, click here   

Now we are focusing on finalizing the exhibitors who will be participating in the mini-seminar series on Friday afternoon. Everyone involved in the Mini-Seminar session will meet for lunch at Kypriaki Norte Restaurant near the Conference Centre then back to the Centre for the sessions.

This is a great opportunity for exhibitors to reach out to the Specifiers (Architects, Designers, and Contractors) who will come to exhibitor’s booths to receive an education on the nature of the exhibitors’ products. Invitations to the exhibitors to participate will be going out the next couple of days. Some exhibitors are not waiting for an invitation and have already signed up for the program.

This is a half-day seminar on issues related to sustainable forest management certification for the value-added wood products industry. The presenter will compare and contrast the differences between sustainable forest management certification, chain of custody and environmental management certification. An overview of the various certification brands will be provided. Participants in this workshop will gain a better understanding of the chain of custody process including system requirements and external audits.

Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Time: 8:30am-1:00pm
Location: Sheraton Guildford Hotel, 15269 104th Avenue, Surrey, BC

Please click here for more information and registration.

The Business Innovation Partnership in association with Sandler Training and Trainwest Management & Consulting presents a 1 day seminar on sales techniques presented by Randy Hnatko.

This one-day, 9 module sales workshop will provide you with the concept, knowledge and understanding of sales techniques. Through appropriate exercises, you will refine your sales-development plan, practice strategies and techniques in a safe environment, and develop your skills, before interacting with prospects and customers.

Date: March 17, 2011
Time: 9:00am-4:30pm
Location: Kamloops, BC

Testimonials from the previous session:

“Lots of great tools to use in the field”

“Very informative with lots of applicable material to our business that will help us in the future.”

“Well worth the time spent!”

Click here for more information or to register

Last week’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Symposium was, by all accounts, a tremendous success. Over 240 representatives from BC’s design and construction community and the forest products industry turned out to hear the latest on CLT panels and how they have changed the face of wood construction in Europe. Extensive and detailed presentations were given by experts in the field of architectural design, engineering, manufacturing, seismic resistance, connections, fire safety, acoustics, floor vibrations, durability, and environmental performance.

Copies of the presentations given at the CLT Symposium are available on the BC Wood website at http://www.bcwood.com/?page_id=2579. An additional overview of CLT and its’ impact in North America is available on the Journal of Commerce’s website http://www.joconl.com/article/id42954.

A one-day seminar on issues related to exporting for first time exporters and those who are currently exporting but wish to expand their knowledge in this area.  This bootcamp is designed for value added companies with little or no exporting experience.  Topics covered are: shipping, customs, insurance, financing, planning, and legal aspects of international trade. A number of experts are lined up for this event.  Make sure you register soon as space is limited.

Date: February 16, 2011
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm
Location: Sheraton – Guildford Hotel: 15269 104th Ave, Surrey, BC

Testimonials from the previous session:

“Even though we are exporting I learned new things I didn’t already know”

“Good cross section of topics and speakers”

“Excellent value, time well spent”

Click here for a list of speakers and topics or to register

The Business Innovation Partnership (BIP) and the CKCA will be presenting a 2 day Cabinet Symposium. BIP will present their “Staying Focused” seminar series which will include a group of experts to speak about marketing, interior design trends, and manufacturing. The CKCA will hold their regional meeting the following day to highlight their expanded services, as well as, conduct a series of tours and presentations.

Speakers:
Randy Hnatko (Sandler Training)
Alain Albert (FPInnovations)
Kelly Deck (Kelly Deck Designs)
Richard Lipman (Wood Manufacturing Council)
Helen Goodland (Light House)
Norm Smith (FPInnovations)

Date & Time: September 21, 2010, 9:00am-5:00pm, September 22, 2010, 7:30am-8:30pm
Location: Sheraton – Guildford Hotel, Surrey

For more information, please contact David Pao at dpao@bcwood.com

Click here to register

Thursday, September 9th, 2010 – Registration 10:00 AM
Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler, BC

The Wood Enterprise Coalition, a partnership of Wood Works! BC, FPInnovations, and BC Wood, are pleased to announce a one day forum on the Province’s new “Wood First” Initiative.  Held in conjunction with the Global Buyers Mission in Whistler, the WEC is presenting the first Living & Building with Wood-First”forum – a day of seminars and program information designed specifically for architects, builders, developers, municipal planners, engineers and specifiers in the Province.

Click here to view more details on the program and what the seminar will include

Join us to learn about the importance of “Wood First” Initiative and how to work within the new parameters to deliver important and lucrative capital, and municipal building projects in the Province. For more information, or to register for the “Living & Building with Wood-First” forum, please contact Brian Hawrysh at 604-882-7100 or bhawrysh@bcwood.com.

The Wood Manufacturing Council’s Management Training Program (MTP) is a comprehensive suite of short training courses designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to move into management or supervisory roles within value-added wood products companies. The program consists of eight online training modules, an individual graduating project and a wrap-up face-to-face session. The course modules each require between 25 and 35 hours of study. They have been designed specifically for the wood products industry, and include numerous case studies and industry examples. Graphics, diagrams, animations and video are all used extensively. Participants can either take just one or two individual courses to fill a particular interest or gap in their knowledge, or choose any six modules plus the graduating project to obtain a WMC Management Certificate qualification. Each module is offered at least once a year, and learners move through each course together, interacting and sharing information and experiences. Read More

The Business Innovation Partnership (BIP) is happy to partner with the BCLTBI for delivery of the 2010 Industry Symposium.  Topical issues important to the industry will cover: Crane Operator Certification – Update on New Rules & Information; Updates on Codes & Standards Changes and Market Access Issues in the US and EU; Log & Timber Frame Value Engineering; and What the New Harmonized Tax (HST) Means to You. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to network with your colleagues and catch-up on what is happening in other parts of the province.  The Symposium is open to all interested industry participants.

DATE: Friday, March 12^th

LOCATIONS: TRADEX (1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford, BC)

For a brief introduction on each speaker, click here.

For more information on the 2010 Industry Symposium and the registration form, click here.

This activity coincides with the BC Log Home Timber Frame and Country Living Show, which opens to the public on March 13^th. The BCLTBI is also planning their Annual General Meeting for Saturday evening, March 13^th.  For more information on BC Log Home Timber Frame and Country Living Show, click here.

For the registration form for the 2010 Log & Timber Building Industry Annual General Meeting, click here.

This seminar will teach you the latest techniques and technologies used for finishing wood products.

Some of the things you can expect to learn from this seminar:

• the proven process control methods to ensure consistent finishes
• stain types and application methodology
• What types of coatings are available in the market and things to consider when applying water based coatings compared to solvent-based coatings
• selecting the correct application equipment and spray booths

This seminar will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Surrey, BC on March 9, 2010. For more information please click on the link below or contact Norm Smith at 604-828-9555 or norman.smith@fpinnovations.ca

Finishing Techniques Seminar Information

The 2009 Global Buyers Mission is shaping up to be another great event!  I’m pleased to say that our partnership with the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau and the Western Red Cedar Lumber and Export Associations has strengthened our abilty to bring the important US buyers to our event, particularly given these challenging economic times.

We’re also thrilled to see such a strong interest from our off-shore recruiting efforts and expect to surpass our target of 150 pre-qualified international buyers from Australia, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Roy Manion has already indicated in his Architects Update that we have pretty much over-sold the Architects/Designers Program for the GBM, and have a waiting list for interested participants.

We’re happy to announce that Minister Pat Bell will be joining us to officially open the event Friday morning and welcome the participants on behalf of the Province of BC.

If you haven’t registered yet but are interested in participating, please contact me ASAP in the office at 604-882-7100, or by email to rwalker@bcwood.com.    Stay tuned for regular updates…

Marketing Workshop – August 13th, Cranbrook
Sales Workshop – August 14th, Cranbrook

Presented by BC Wood through the Business Innovation Partnership.

This workshop is designed to build on your existing skills in sales and marketing, and to introduce you to a practical, common sense way to plan and execute future sales and marketing activities. The emphasis will be placed on fast-acting and inexpensive ways to build business-particularly now, when the economy is changing and is expected to become much more challenging.

For more inforamtion contact Scott Thompson at sthompson@bcwood.com

Sales Workshop Cranbrook

Recession Proof Your Business

Marketing Workshop Cranbrook