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The Wood Innovation Group
TWIG creates opportunities for connections across BC's wood value system—from forest to finished product. Through events, workshops, and community gatherings, we create space for learning, exchange, and collaboration among the people inspired by the possibilities of BC Wood.
This newsletter is for those who see potential in BC’s forest resources and want to help shape what comes next—through creativity, design, hands-on work, or new ways of thinking. It’s about blending tradition with innovation and contributing to a more resilient, locally rooted forest economy.
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Your voice matters. If you have events, projects, or ideas to share, reach out to us at info@twigbca.ca
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Wood-First-Wednesday
February 4th, 6:00 - 8:00
Off The Rail, 1351 Adanac St, Vancouver
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A casual monthly meetup for anyone interested in wood—connecting professionals, students, and community members to share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships.
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Wood-First-Wednesday
February 4th, 6:00 - 8:00
Howe Sound Brewing
37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish
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A casual monthly meetup for anyone interested in wood—connecting professionals and community members to share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships. More Info+
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Post Buildex Happy Hour
Thursday, Feb 12, 4:30- 6:30
Alibi Room, 157 Alexander St #200.
$10 - Register here
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Join TWIG and CLF BC for a happy hour at the Alibi Room in Gastown—craft beer, locally sourced food, in a cozy historic setting.
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Log Jam 2 - Save the Date
March 14th, 2:00 - 6:00
MakerLabs
780 E Cordova St, Vancouver
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Save the Date! More details about our next collaboration with Maker Labs are coming soon. Read about our last event here+
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More info for these events will be expanded on below, and the up-to-date TWIG events can be found online at twigbc.ca/events/
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Where Outlaws and Innovators Gather
We welcome all the new people who have signed up for our newsletter, joined our events, and made connections with us through other means. This growth reflects not only interest in wood and innovation but also a desire for connection and community. Slowly but surely, the little network that could continues the journey we started back in 2012.
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In the past month, our team reviewed our events from the past year and reflected on what worked well and the types of people who attended. We all agreed that our Wood-First-Wednesday events are the core of what we do—an informal place where professionals, students, enthusiasts, and researchers can come together to exchange knowledge. For many, it's become a monthly touchpoint for connecting with people working in wood-related professions. The recurring nature of these events and the folks who show up time after time builds momentum and possibility. You get to know people beyond their names and the companies they work for. You learn what motivates them, how they got into the industry, and what other interests intersect with their practices.
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We are all part of a value system. Instead of calling it a value chain, which could be described physically as a series of rigid links locked in sequence, TWIG calls it a value system. This term is borrowed from Pilot Projects founder Scott Francisco, a firm based in Montreal that recently completed the final version of their Mass Timber Tipping Point document. A value system acts more like a flexible web of interconnected companies, individuals, institutions, and the environment itself. In this system, value flows bilaterally and is exchanged among participants. You give something, and you get something back. It's not transactional, but relational—the value you receive may flow in from somewhere or someone else.
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It's within a value system that true innovation can be born, as certain practices and behaviours are given space to thrive. Creative thinking flourishes within these systems, as people can take information, ideas, and data spread throughout the network and compile them into actionable solutions. Diversity is given space to exist, as people with different perspectives, skills, and backgrounds are needed to address complex challenges. And lastly, culture is supported and enabled because people feel a sense of belonging and are given space to participate and contribute to something larger than themselves.
Today, we need creativity, diversity, and culture more than ever to innovate. Innovation through a value chain is no longer possible. These rigid, linear industrial structures that have defined BC's industry for generations are showing very few signs of real progress or transformative innovation. It's a system in which those with the values described above are generally misunderstood, pushed to the outskirts, and left to fend for themselves.
But luckily, today we have TWIG. For those who find themselves in this position, who believe in what they know and what change they want to make in the world—come find us, and you'll find many others like yourself. We are a space for the outliers, the outlaws, the innovators, and the creators. A space that values the exchange of generational knowledge and developing the future leaders of our forest-based economy.
See you at Wood-First-Wednesday.
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With forest-felt regards,
Patrick Christie and The TWIG team
info@twigbc.ca
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Are you looking to hire someone? Do you have a new position opening up at your company? Let us know, and we can make a posting here to share it with our readers.
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Growing Connections Across our Chapters
TWIG is always looking for new ways to bring people together—through regional events, project tours, workshops, and collaborations that highlight BC’s wood innovation. If you would like to host TWIG in Vancouver, Victoria, or Squamish, please let us know, and we can create an event together.
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Got an idea? Need some Testing?
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Do you have a concept, product, or prototype that you want to realize? TWIG can work with you to make this happen with financial support through The Wood First Program. Carried out through the Center for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) and its team of technical staff, we are able to provide an array of support on various wood-based projects.
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