With the start of the new fiscal year, we have been busy looking at what new programs can be rolled out to help members develop new business and markets. This has become even more important this year due the ever-changing situation south of the border. As a part of this process, I took the time to speak with a variety of members to better understand their needs. Not surprisingly, many companies told me that they want to start exploring options to diversify their sales to markets in Asia.
To support these goals, the BC Wood Japan Office will naturally continue to organize the Canadian Pavilions at the Japan Home and Building Show in November and the Nikkei Architectural and Construction Materials Show in March. These two main national shows reach the greatest numbers of potential building products buyers and thus offer new market entrants the largest stages to make their pitches.
However, we are also responding to the requests from new exporters who want to learn more about the market with trade mission components built into these show programs. Participants will be able to visit companies and project job sites to see firsthand what the opportunities are. One of these missions will specifically target Japan’s booming resort sector.
After successfully returning in January to the Housing Brand Fair for the first time since the start of COVID, BC Wood will also be increasing its program options in Korea. Like in Japan, we will be able to offer a trade mission to help members find the best niche markets to focus on. We also plan to attend the Korean Institute of Architects self-organized trade show, so that we can most easily approach the high-end in both residential and commercial construction. While much smaller than the major construction shows, this event will maximize the time members can spend in front of influential specifiers.
In addition to our standard trade show programs, BC Wood will also continue offering options for members to explore market opportunities without incurring travel costs by building on the virtual capabilities that we developed in response to the pandemic.
I am excited by the fact that we will be able to offer a such a broad range of market development support this year. Our in-market staff is ready to work one-on-one with companies and help them achieve their marketing goals even during these challenging times.
If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities in Asia, please reach out to me by email at ivanoff@bcwood.jp to set-up an online market consultation.