The Magic of Portland, Oregon: Why Mass Timber Thrives Here

Dear Forest Business Network Newsletter Reader:

We are sometimes asked why we host the International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon, and/or why we return here year after year.?

Our reason for selecting Portland from the very beginning, and why we stay, is that the city, and the state of Oregon, were mass timber's earliest adopters and its strongest supporters in the United States. This buy-in at every level has given the area a considerable lead in mass timber construction. (The neighboring states of Washington and California have also embraced mass timber in a very big way in recent years.)?

Mass timber buildings are so ubiquitous in the area that it makes it easy to tour new sites each year at the annual conference. Add in the growing number of manufacturing and fabrication facilities nearby, and this makes northwest Oregon, a hotbed of mass timber activity.?

In fact, we have so many buildings and manufacturing facilities to tour at the 2025 conference (with outstanding forestry sites as well) that we have expanded from three tours to five .?

But then, there are the other reasons we love Portland. The city is welcoming, the food and beverage scene is second-to-none, and the Oregon Convention Center could not be a better partner.?

And need I mention Portland's brand new mass timber airport terminal — a 9-acre cathedral of wood, light, and trees — to welcome our attendees? By the way, the new Port of Portland terminal will be part of our March 25 "Portland Buildings & Manufacturing " tour.

We love Portland and are here to stay for some time. We hope you join us in March so you can see for yourself why we call this city home.

Best,

Craig Rawlings - President & CEO, Forest Business Network?

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