The original impetus for organizing this event was the desire to deepen our members' technical knowledge to augment their often considerable practical experience and to bring them together with industry professionals, such as architects, designers, engineers, specifiers and developers. We desired to promote networking and dialogue between these two groups, whose frames of reference are parallel but sometimes perceived as incongruent.
Building industry professionals are often unduly discouraged by the perceptions surrounding massive wood construction systems, so we also sought to remove conceptual barriers in specifying our products through the presentation of sound design and engineering information.
Given these desired outcomes, LTBI staff and Board members selected speakers who would provide both breadth and depth of knowledge on a variety of key topics. We drew heavily from our annual sponsors for expertise, since as engineers, draftsmen, scientists and builders they form a considerable body of knowledge. The seminars were each Architectural Institute of BC accredited, allowing architects who attended to earn mandatory Learning Units from AIBC and thus provide an additional draw for us. The total number of building industry professionals who registered was 30.
In addition to those, 29 member companies were represented, sometimes with more than one delegate.
We were honoured to have Hon. Rich Coleman, then Minister of Forests and Range, open the MWS.
Below is a list of the presenters and their qualifications, along with their topics. The seminars went without a hitch, with the notable exception of Mr. Joe Miller's.
LTBI staff were informed the day before the MWS that Mr. Miller's connecting flight from Michigan had been cancelled, so, in the spirit typical of the log and timber industry, LTBI Marketing Chair Peter Sperlich and Mr. John Boys collaborated in delivering Mr. Miller's presentation with him via internet video conferencing. It took some last-minute coaching by Mr. Miller and some creative technical improvisation the night before to successfully deliver the 2-hour seminars the following day. The depth of technical information this team of three presented - and by this means - was truly impressive. Builders and other delegates both came away with their questions answered.
The table below details the topics covered by the other speakers, who, although perhaps more conventional in presentation, were equally informative. With the growing demand for environmentally sound construction materials and methods, Frank D'Souza's and John Boys' presentations were especially relevant.
In helping members diversify their repertoire of building styles and industry professionals navigate the design and engineering parameters associated with the different walls systems, Mr. Courtois' seminar was extremely topical. Some non-member delegates needed a more basic foundation on the methods of our industry in dealing with settling, especially.
Delegates commented the seminars had "an excellent balance of technical and practical" and were "most informative indeed". Many encouraging us to host the Symposium again next year - which we fully intend to do.
The LTBI thanks Forestry Innovation Investment and BC Wood Specialties Group for their partnership with us and contributing so much to the success of this event.
Below you will find historical information from the MWS past.
| 8:00 AM | Registration |
| 8:30 AM | Breakfast (no charge) |
| 8:45 AM | Opening Remarks by Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests and Range, and Minister Responsible for Housing |
| 9:00--10:00 AM (1 Core LU) |
The Science of Wood Preservation Presented by Frank D'Souza, CBR Products Sealing the Connection Between Massive Wood and Other Construction Presented by John Boys, Nicola Log Works |
| 10:15--11:15 AM (1 Core LU) |
Engineering with Massive Wood; Structural Issues Part I Presented by Joe Miller, JFM Design |
| 11:30--12:30 PM (1 Core LU) |
Wall Systems in Log & Timber Structures Presented by Cyril Courtois, RCM CAD Design Drafting |
| 12:30--1:30 PM | Lunch and Networking (no charge) |
| 1:30--2:30 PM (1 Core LU) |
Engineering with Massive Wood; Structural Issues Part II Presented by Joe Miller, JFM Design |
| 2:30--6:00 PM | Open Discussion, Networking and Refreshments |
Download the Registration Form in PDF.
Please complete the Form and fax it to 604-882-7300.
| Presenter: | Topic: |
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Mr. Frank D'Souza B.Sc (Chemistry); Diploma - Paint formulations; Diploma - Advanced Latex and Polymer Technology; 15 years, Reichold Chemicals (Process & Quality Control Chemist) |
"The Science of Wood Preservation" Advantages of waterborne and water based coating products, regarding ease of use, health and design criteria.
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Mr. John Boys Professional log/timber frame builder - 25 years; Past President, International Log Builders Association; Founding Member of BC LTBI; First person to be officially certified as an accredited "Log Builder" tradesman in North America. |
"Sealing the Connection Between Massive Wood and Other Construction" Innovative ways to effectively keep the heat in and the weather out
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Mr. Joe Miller BSCE / MSCE - Thesis "Capacity of Pegs in Mortise and Tenon Joints"; PhD Candidate - Michigan Tech. Univ. - Dissertation "Mechanically laminated heavy timber beams"; Adjunct Professor - Norwich University - "Advanced Structural Analysis"; Lifetime Member - Timber Framers Guild / Charter Member - Timber Frame Engineering Council |
"Engineering with Massive Wood; Structural Issues--Parts I and II" Traditional Heavy Timber Construction
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Mr. Cyril Courtois 2 years Structural Engineering University of Montreal; UCFV Diploma in Architectural Design/Drafting; 15 years Log Home Design worldwide; Wall Systems in Log & Timber Structures |
"Wall Systems in Log & Timber Structures"
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These exhibitors were also part of the BC Log Home Timber Frame & Country Living Show for the following two days, March 15th and 16th, also at the FV TRADEX.
