The MWC is Ready for You!

The Montréal Wood Convention 2025 is just a couple of days away, and we’re excited to welcome you!

Despite the ongoing lockout at The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, we’ve ensured minimal impact on your experience. Our event is meticulously planned to deliver excellence, as always.

To help your trip run smoothly, here’s what you need to know:

For more information, visit our website or reach out at info@montrealwoodconvention.com

Where to Eat In Montréal?

Ferreira (1446 Peel Street) $$$

One of Montreal’s finest Portuguese restaurants, the atmosphere here is modern and inviting.

https://ferreiracafe.com/

The Keg $$

Classic steak and seafood dishes are the mainstays of this casual yet quality restaurant.

https://thekeg.com/fr/restaurants/place-ville-marie?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1um-BhDtARIsABjU5x5784tHf3tHsNH1Tkay4AHpSxxZqrRzuk_k9JhX7YxVCan7vO8Gp4AaAs5VEALw_wcB

Bar George (1440, rue Drummond) $$

Located in an old manor of the 1900s, this resto-bar has a lavish and chic Victorian décor. We love the ambiance and their English and Scottish inspired menu.

https://www.bargeorge.ca/

Fiorellino (470 rue De la Gauchetière Ouest) $$

Find homemade pasta and delicious thin crust pizza in this inviting space.

https://fiorellino.ca/centre-ville.html

Les Enfants Terrible (3 Place Ville-Marie) $$

A nice casual French bistro in the heart of downtown.

https://www.jesuisunenfantterrible.com/

Lucille’s (1065 Drummond St) $$

A great spot downtown for large groups. Enjoy steak and seafood in this business casual restaurant located nearby the NHL’s Bell Center.

https://canadiens.lucillesoyster.com/

Reuben’s (1116, rue Ste Catherine) $

The best place downtown to enjoy a Montreal famous smoke meat sandwich.

http://reubensdeli.com/

Marche Time Out $

Under one roof, find a number of Delicious food options at this upscale food hall in Montreals Eaton Centre.

https://www.timeout.com/fr/time-out-market-montreal

Ye Olde Orchard Pub and Grill (1189 Rue de la Montagne) $

With over 3200 square feet of ground floor space to accommodate 150 patrons, it is definitely the top spot to be in the heart of downtown Montréal.

https://www.yeoldeorchard.com/

Hurley's Irish Pub (1225 Crescent St) $

A cozy local pub with great beer, food and live music.

https://www.hurleysirishpub.com/

McKibbin’s (1426 Bishop St) $

A classic Irish pub that also serves food and a nice pint of Guinness.

https://www.mckibbinsirishpub.com

3 Brasseurs McGill (732 Saint-Catherine St W) $

Les 3 Brasseurs microbrewery offer a warm atmosphere that can accommodate both large and small groups.

https://www.3brasseurs.ca/

La Cage (1212 avenue des Canadiens de Montréal) $

A perfect place to watch sports and have food and drink. This is the perfect place to cheer on your favourite team.

https://www.cage.ca/restaurants/centre-bell

Important Message for Our Participants

We would like to inform you that the employees of the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth are currently on lockout. The management team is working closely with negotiators to resolve the labour dispute. However, despite all efforts, it is possible that this situation will persist during the Montréal Wood Convention. 

The organizing committee has deemed it essential to proceed with the event despite the challenges this situation may bring.

Impact on Participant’s Activities 

There will be no changes to the 2025 Program. The current situation would not affect any program items. Rooms availabilities are the same and we are dedicated to delivering an event that will meet your expectations. However, this unfortunate situation might create some circumstances where hotel staff cannot answer your needs right away or provide you with the same level of care that you were used to.

Impact on Hotel Services  

The hotel’s restaurants, café, bar, and artisan market will be closed for the duration of your stay. For the bar, we are currently working on an alternative location, stay tuned! Also, a list of the nearby best restaurants and coffee places will be made available to you so you can enjoy Montreal’s finest.

If you have booked a room, please note that some services will be affected: there will be no housekeeping or room service during your stay. If you need fresh towels, you will need to go to the front desk.

If you haven't found the answers to your questions on the website, please contact us at info@montrealwoodconvention.com.  

Enjoy the convention!  

Jon Montgomery Is Our Keynote Speaker

We are thrilled to announce that Jon Montgomery, Olympic gold medallist and celebrated host of The Amazing Race Canada, will be the keynote speaker at the Luncheon during the Montréal Wood Convention 2025. Mark your calendar for April 9th!

Jon captured the hearts of millions at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where he clinched gold in the skeleton and showcased his determination, perseverance, and signature sense of humour. Today, as the charismatic host of The Amazing Race Canada, Jon continues to inspire and entertain audiences across the country.

At the luncheon, Jon will share his unique story about being curious, living outside his comfort zone, trying new things, and accepting the challenges that presented themselves which enabled him to find his passion and his opportunity to realize his dreams. Drawing on his experiences, he’ll offer powerful insights on goal setting, resilience, and how to embrace challenges with passion and purpose. This is your chance to hear from a world-class athlete and storyteller who embodies the spirit of determination and excellence. Prepare to leave inspired and energized to tackle your own goals.

Be sure to secure your spot and join us for an unforgettable afternoon of insight, inspiration, and networking. Register now by clicking on the button "Register to Attend". The Early Bird rate is still available until February 7th!

We look forward to seeing you at the Montréal Wood Convention 2025!

Benjamin Tal Returns for the Industry Seminar on Economy and Markets

Last year’s Industry Seminar on Economy and Markets was again a resounding success, thanks to the second consecutive participation of Benjamin Tal. This year, we’re going for the hat trick!

Mr. Benjamin Tal, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC Capital Markets Inc. will return once again to the seminar with his fresh view on the economy and its impact on the construction sector in North America.

Renowned for his deep expertise in economic trends, Mr. Tal will deliver a compelling and insightful session to help you navigate what’s ahead. Plus, he’ll be available to answer your questions live during the seminar.

Register now! Secure your spot for the full event, from April 8 to 10, 2025, by clicking on the “To Participate” button at the top right of your screen.

Stay at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth – Your home for the MWC 2025

Make the most of your experience by staying at the official convention venue: the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montréal.

Located in downtown Montréal, this iconic hotel puts you close to all the city’s attractions while offering unique services.

As an MWC 2025 participant, you can enjoy a special rate starting at CAD 309 per night (plus taxes). With its seamless convenience and unparalleled comfort, the Queen Elizabeth is the ideal choice to elevate your experience and ensure a productive convention. de 309 $ CA par nuit (taxes en sus). Avec ses services sans faille et son confort inégalé, le Reine Elizabeth est le choix idéal pour vous assurer d’avoir un Congrès productif.

Book your room today! Availability is limited, so don’t wait. Click the button below to secure your stay.

*Participants told the organizers that they had been solicited for discounted hotel rooms. The organizers have never given mandates to such companies and never will.

The Montréal Wood Convention 2025 dates are set! 

The Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that the next Montréal Wood Convention (MWC) will take place on April 8-10, 2025 at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montréal. 

After a record-breaking year of participation and booth booking in 2024, the MWC team is looking forward to seeing you again next year for an action-packed three-day event in the beautiful city of Montréal. 

As always, the MWC provides a rich program including the trade show, conferences on key topics, and tons of networking opportunities. The detailed program will be announced later this fall. 

The Montréal Wood Convention is the largest event in Canada for the wood products industry, with a typical attendance of around 1,150 delegates from North America and overseas. 

We hope to see you in Montréal next year! 

The Montréal Wood Convention Announce a Full House 

Montréal, Canada— The Montréal Wood Convention (MWC) 2024, the premier event for the wood industry in North America and the largest of its kind in Canada, has drawn over 1150 participants from across the globe with 112 booths showcasing the latest trends, technologies, and products by the biggest companies in the industry. Back-to-back record breaker years for the MWC.

The MWC took place from April 9 to 11, 2024, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal and featured series of seminars, discussions, and panel sessions featuring leading industry experts. One of the highlights of the event was the keynote speech by tech titan Michelle Romanov where she opened up about her own entrepreneurial experiences and offered valuable tips applicable to the wood industry and beyond. Benjamin Tal’s perspectives on economy was also very popular among the participants.

According to Sven Gustavsson, the Event Director, the Montréal Wood Convention 2024 was a great success on many fronts.

“The event was a success because we were again able to bring the wood industry together. The networking opportunities along with the learning sessions with our great set of speakers are always a good mix to provide participants a value-added experience. This annual meeting is important for the wood industry in North America and worldwide and the presence of key industry players is always a sign of our relevancy, which we are always aiming to.”

Julie Gravel, organizing committee member and North American Commodities Sales Manager at GreenFirst Forest, reaffirms the convention's significance as a key hub for everyone involved in the wood industry.

“The event is important to learn about not only your specified field of work, but also to learn about the new trends along the whole wood industry chain. We are all interconnected, whether it’s wood product producers, wholesalers, retailers or equipment companies, and the MWC reflects that reality in a way other events cannot replicate.”

The MWC importance is paired with the importance of the forest industry for the Canadian economy. It represents a contribution to GDP of over $20 billion, representing 8% of the Canadian manufacturing sector. With exports of over $38 billion in 2023, the sector boasts a solid positive trade balance (nearly $22 billion). As for lumber, Canada remains the 2nd largest producer, and in 2022, became, once again, the world's largest exporter. In 2022, the forestry industry accounted for over 200,000 direct jobs (foresters, scientists, engineers, computer specialists, technicians, and skilled workers), and remains a pillar of economic development for many municipalities from coast to coast.

The event, which has its roots in the Canadian Lumbermen’s Association (CLA) Convention, first held in 1908, was revamped and restarted in 2013 by four industry associations in Eastern Canada, the Maritime Lumber Bureau (MLB), the Ontario Forest Industry Association (OFIA), the Québec Forest Industry Council (QFIC) and the Québec Wood Export Bureau (QWEB). 

Montréal Wood Convention and Women of Lumber & Forestry Team Up!

In an initiative to support women in the wood industry and promote gender equality, the Montréal Wood Convention (MWC) is proud to announce a partnership with Women Of Lumber & Forestry (WOLF) starting in 2024.

The partnership will see WOLF and MWC support each other in efforts to make the lumber industry a welcoming place for women and promote their events.

WOLF was founded in 2018 by Kaitlyn and Lauren Chimko of Dakeryn Industries. Their focus is hosting female-oriented events and networking opportunities to connect and uplift women in the industry. “The MWC is one of the most important lumber events in North America and we are excited to bring women together at the show and expand our growing community.”

For Sven Gustavsson, Director of the Montréal Wood Convention, it’s only natural to support Women Of Lumber & Forestry in their effort to connect and grow the great workforce that are women in the wood industry. “WOLF is an organic force in the industry and an example to follow for the years to come. It was only natural for us to partner with WOLF and help them grow. They will also help us adapt our event for women in the industry so that everyone can feel welcome at the MWC. A few members of the MWC organizing committee, especially Julie Gravel (GreenFirst), Rob Hruby (Weston), and Nadine Denault (Interfor) have all been instrumental in the establishment of this new partnership.”

Kaitlyn and Lauren from WOLF are looking forward to the MWC 2024 and are kicking it off with a Women’s Networking Luncheon on Tuesday, April 9th at noon at Bar George, sponsored by Dakeryn and Weston. There is limited capacity so please secure your ticket as soon as you can by registering HERE.

If you are still not registered for the Montréal Wood Convention 2024, you can also do it by clicking on Register to Attend.

See you in Montréal!

Media Contacts:

Alex Fortin – Communications Advisor

Montréal Wood Convention

afortin@quebecwoodexport.com

418 290-8993

Lauren Chimko – Co-Founder

Women of Lumber and Forestry

Lauren_Chimko@dakeryn.com

604 290-8780

Breakfast Conference featuring David Usher: Igniting Innovation in the Age of AI

Get ready to kickstart your day with a burst of creativity at the Montréal Wood Convention 2024's Breakfast Conference session! We are thrilled to announce that the highly acclaimed David Usher will be taking the stage on Thursday, April 11th, at 7:30 a.m. to deliver a captivating talk on "Igniting Innovation: Creative Thinking in the Age of AI." David Usher montera sur scène le jeudi 11 avril, à 7 h 30, pour donner une conférence captivante sur le thème « La pensée créative à l’ère de l’IA ». 

David Usher brings a unique perspective as the lead singer of Moist, a multi-platinum, four-time Juno award-winning musician, bestselling author, and the visionary founder of the artificial intelligence creative studio, Reimagine AI. During this session, David Usher will delve into the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence.  

Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 11th, and be sure to arrive early for a seat at this not-to-be-missed Breakfast Conference. Ignite your innovation journey with David Usher and start your day on a creative high! 

Michele Romanow is our Keynote Speaker!

We're thrilled to unveil Michele Romanow as our esteemed Keynote Speaker for the Luncheon on Wednesday, April 10th, at the Montréal Wood Convention 2024!

Michele Romanow is not your average entrepreneur – she's a tech titan, a dragon, and an influential figure in the business world. As a serial entrepreneur, Michele has successfully launched six companies before celebrating her 35th birthday, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination.

Known as a "Dragon" on CBC's hit show, Dragons' Den, Michele is the Co-Founder and Executive Chair at Clearco Canada, the world's largest e-commerce investor. Clearco has invested over $5 billion into 10,000 entrepreneurs across 13 countries, significantly impacting the global business landscape.

Again, please mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 10th, as Michele Romanow will share her insights and experiences during this exclusive luncheon. This is your chance to glean inspiration from one of Canada's most influential business leaders.

Secure your spot for the Montréal Wood Convention 2024 now by clicking here.