A few comments, suggestions, and ideas…
With vaccines finally starting to roll out, we are transitioning into the next phase of Covid and its impact on our personal and work lives. It’s not much of an understatement to suggest that it has been quite a year. For the US program, BC Wood pivoted to virtual and online marketing activities as a way to drive market development and stay connected with our important business contacts. As with anything new, some events were more successful than others.
One activity that seemed to work well and provide an excellent opportunity to engage with buyers and influencers directly were Building Connections, Bond, and ProCONNECT events. These activities brought together BC manufacturers with US based architects, designers, builders, and developers. BC industry had the opportunity to meet directly with pre-selected groups of key buyers and decision makers in 20-minute Zoom meetings. This format works because they involve face to face meetings and both participants have agreed to the meetings. In discussions with manufacturers who have participated, they appreciate the direct connection and time savings that these events provide.
As we transition into our new fiscal year and into the next phase of the pandemic, we plan to continue providing market development activities such as Building Connections, Bond and other virtual and hybrid events. Our strategy of directly connecting buyers and suppliers remains an important and valuable component of the BC Wood US market development program.