Tacoma Wooden Wonders: Behind the Scenes at the International Mass Timber Conference
Authored by Candra Burns of Talking Forests
Every year, the International Mass Timber Conference (IMTC) brings together the brightest minds in sustainable construction and wood innovation. As someone who has been attending and working behind the scenes for several years, I’ve had the privilege of watching this community evolve. From site visits to engaging with global innovators, my journey with IMTC has been shaped by passion, purpose, and a deep connection to the forestry world. Here’s a personal look at my experiences, insights, and the state of the mass timber industry.
What’s your role in the industry and who do you represent at the International Mass Timber Conference?
I started going to IMTC when I was living in Germany in 2019. That first visit allowed me to reconnect with my roots in Washington State, where I was born in a coastal forestry and fishing town—Aberdeen, the “Lumber Capital of the World.” That year, I attended a tour at Tacoma Brewing Blocks and visited the Candlewood Suites Mass Timber Hotel under construction at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I named this blog Tacoma Wooden Wonders to commemorate that special experience.
Since then, I’ve supported the Forest Business Network team behind the scenes at IMTC. From learning the ins and outs of the Oregon Convention Center to navigating busy conference days with my service dog, Rhett, I’ve grown into my role over time.
My communications and marketing agency, Talking Forests, was founded in 2016 to serve the growing digital needs of the forestry sector. As a pioneer social media marketer for forestry organizations—including being the first Social Media Chair of the Washington State Society of American Foresters—I’ve traveled across 11 countries and 25 U.S. states promoting wood sector innovation. I represent companies globally, helping them amplify their voices through strategic marketing and communications.
How many times have you come to this conference? How has it changed since you started coming?
I’ve attended IMTC for six years now, and it has evolved significantly in terms of logistics, size, and opportunities. One major change is the absence of goodie bags—which, while logistically easier, also means fewer spontaneous connections.
As a bus captain during the mass timber building tours, I’ve seen the number of tours grow—and with it, the importance of clear communication. Oregon’s unpredictable weather and traffic can be a challenge, but we always manage to stay on track.
Some highlights for me include playing Timberlab’s life-sized JENGA on the exhibitor floor, sipping drinks from built-in bars, and enjoying artisan coffee from vendors like Sauter Timber (thank you for not serving drip coffee!). In 2024, Tozo Surface & Trillium impressed everyone with their tree installations and signage. And 2025 brought the largest exhibitor hall yet, featuring live construction, tall tree stands, and Cambium’s memorable campfire-themed exhibit. I also loved visiting Freres Wood—part of Tour #3—for their quality giveaways and impressive long-span warehouse.
A major new development in 2025 was the Washington Mass Timber Accelerator (MASSTAC), which represents an exciting effort from the Pacific Northwest.
What were some of the highlight keynotes and site visits? What innovations did you see in projects?
One standout moment was hearing from Cedar Stone Design Build’s CEO, Adrienne H. Fainman. She spoke passionately to IMTC tour members about a 1,000-square-foot mass timber residential project near Eugene, Oregon. Her work exemplifies the direction we need to be moving—sustainable, small-scale, and community-driven innovation.
What are some things you have learned through networking in this industry?
The most important lesson? Once you’re part of the wood community, you are family. The relationships I’ve built through this network are strong and supportive. This shared mission around sustainable building fosters deep, long-lasting connections.
What challenges does the industry still have?
As someone who works across the entire supply chain—“Forest to Frame”—I see several persistent challenges.
The biggest issue is manufacturing: it’s expensive, and many of the machines for mass timber production still come from Europe. This creates cost and logistics hurdles.
We also face:
- Competition from other building materials
- Supply chain volatility
- Financial, time, and social risks
Yet, every day, I strive to help companies navigate these issues through effective communication and digital strategy.
A short story about the supply chain:
The start of mass timber comes from the first part of the supply chain: forests. 🌲🌱
Then we move into concepts humans design to use nature as a physical asset in our daily lives.
The #wood from the #forests goes through machines to become laminated timber.
Then it gets transported to a #construction site to be built into a physical structure. 🏢
Once wood is placed into a structure, it stores carbon for the remainder of its life.
Tree stands—which are forests—help sequester carbon and have an entire life cycle. ♻️
Some challenges in building with wood include moisture, fire, and resource over-extraction.
At the International Mass Timber Conferences, we come together as a sector to solve these challenges—and I’m grateful to be part of that effort every year.
What takeaways did you have after coming to this year’s conference? How do you see the industry going forward?
One major takeaway: We need more collaboration and more inclusivity. I’ve had to work hard to make my way in this industry—lifting myself up by the bootstraps every day. That’s why I believe it’s crucial for the Mass Timber community to listen to women, minorities, and newcomers.
If someone approaches your booth or follows up after the event with questions—listen. They may be the next innovator, leader, or advocate our industry needs.
