The fifth Woodrise International Congress is set to take place in Vancouver from Sept. 22-26, 2025, bringing together the world's leading players in mid- and high-rise timber construction.
Premier David Eby expressed pride in Vancouver hosting Woodrise 2025, stating, “B.C.’s entrepreneurs and construction industry professionals are excited to showcase their work and our local talent. Our province is a leader in wood and mass-timber construction. This is a perfect match between event and location.”
British Columbia boasts an impressive 11 times more mass-timber buildings per capita than the rest of North America, solidifying its position as a leader in wood construction. Vancouver, in particular, stands as a hub for North America’s top timber design and engineering professionals.
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, emphasized the significance of mass timber, calling it a "strong, clean building technology" that is integral to the province’s future construction plans. She highlighted the Mass Timber Action Plan, through which the B.C. government, First Nations, and industry are taking a leadership role in advancing wood construction.
FPInnovations, a private non-profit organization specializing in solutions for the global competitiveness of the Canadian forest sector, is a key player in organizing Woodrise. As the Canadian organizer, FPInnovations has contributed significantly to the advancement of wood construction through guides and reference tools that have influenced building standards worldwide.
Stéphane Renou, CEO of FPInnovations, underscored Canada's rich portfolio of mid- and high-rise timber construction projects. He pointed to the Brock Commons Tallwood House building, an 18-storey hybrid structure that was once the world's tallest mass-timber building, as an example of B.C.'s innovative leadership in the mass-timber industry.
Jagrup Brar, Minister of State for Trade and chair of the Mass Timber Advisory Council, expressed anticipation for welcoming global leaders to Vancouver, emphasizing the province's history as the birthplace of the first mass-timber building in North America.
Sean Pander, manager of Green and Resilient Buildings at the City of Vancouver, highlighted the role of innovation in wood pre-fab construction for building affordable, climate-friendly housing. He expects the conference to showcase made-in-B.C. solutions and facilitate the exchange of ideas between B.C. and global leaders.
Eric Karsh, founding principal of Equilibrium Consulting Inc., commended Vancouver for its longstanding timber-based building tradition and global leadership in developing high-technology timber solutions. He emphasized the city's early adoption and promotion of mass timber as a sustainable and durable alternative for large and tall projects.
