Welcome back to the Forest Business Network newsletter, and stay tuned for some exciting new changes coming in the next few weeks.
This week, I want to give a huge shout-out to Alex Anderson, Forest Products Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Alex recently put together a fantastic recap of the 10th Anniversary International Mass Timber Conference & Expo (IMTC) over on the Wisconsin DNR Forestry News blog, and it is absolutely worth a read.
Beyond highlighting the incredible growth of the event—with over 3,000 attendees from 28 countries—Alex specifically pointed out the successful launch of the Great Lakes Mass Timber Collaborative’s (GLMTC) Regional Vision document, which took place right there at the conference.
Reading his recap got me thinking about a larger trend we’ve been watching closely over the years. We’ve seen firsthand how the IMTC has become the true catalyst for states and cities to create their own mass timber coalitions. The collaborative energy on the expo floor directly translates into regional action.
This regional momentum is also being bolstered by critical national support. The Softwood Lumber Board, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and WoodWorks, has been providing essential funding to several mass timber accelerators in major cities and supporting vital industry research.
California is the newest state to step up and embrace this model, joining the ranks of established coalitions in Washington, Oregon, NY, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado, and several others. Getting these regional stakeholders aligned is exactly how we continue to move this industry forward and scale up sustainable construction.
If your state or city is looking to build that kind of momentum and form your own coalition, the 2027 International Mass Timber Conference in Portland is exactly where you need to be. Whether you are looking to secure prime booth space, structure a strategic sponsorship, or coordinate a powerful delegation, our sales team— Melissa Sklenar and Marvin Springer —are already working with groups to help them maximize their impact next year. Reach out to them to get the conversation started.
Make sure to read Alex’s full recap of the 2026 event, click the link in the comment section.
Let me know in the comments—what state or region do you think is poised to make the next big leap in mass timber adoption?
Best ~ CCR
C. Craig Rawlings, President & CEO, Forest Business Network - Chairman, International Mass Timber Conference
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