International Mass Timber Conference 2026

As the 10th annual International Mass Timber Conference wraps up and everyone returns to their day-to-day work, we’re taking a moment to reflect on how far this industry has come.

Ten years of steady innovation has pushed mass timber from a promising concept into a proven structural solution across North America. While countries in Europe have used mass timber for a generation, North America has taken a different path—developing new manufacturing technologies, refining structural performance, and adapting mass timber to meet the demands of modern commercial construction. What once felt experimental is now becoming standard practice across warehouses, data centers, multi-story buildings, and industrial applications.

That shift did not happen overnight. It has taken collaboration and a willingness to rethink how buildings are designed and constructed.

mass timber finishes

What Is Mass Timber?

Mass timber is not a single product. It is a collection of engineered wood products that are reshaping how buildings are designed, manufactured, and assembled.

From structural panels to framing systems, these products are designed to deliver strength and efficiency, while improving installation speed and reducing on-site complexity. As more projects adopt mass timber, the industry continues to refine methods that make construction more predictable and scalable.

That progress is on full display each March in Portland, Oregon, where more than 200 companies from across the mass timber industry gather for what we call Mass Timber Madness.

Where Ideas Become Structures

The energy behind the International Mass Timber Conference begins well before attendees arrive. Setup starts days in advance, with large structural displays rolling onto the show floor.

Assembly happens in full view, showcasing the speed and efficiency that define mass timber construction. Teams like TGC Structural, based in Albany, Oregon, make mass timber builds look easy. Their ability to move quickly and precisely reflects the kind of partnership that drives successful projects.

At Freres, collaboration has always been central to how we operate. The partners we work alongside are part of a network built on trust, shared standards, and a commitment to doing the job right.

For more than 100 years, Freres has continued to grow through natural disasters, shifting regulations, and changing market conditions. That resilience is built through strong partnerships and shared responsibility across the timber industry.

Thinking Differently for 2026

For the 2026 conference, we challenged ourselves to think beyond traditional displays and instead provide what everyone was looking for.

Each audience brought different priorities:

Architects were looking for alternatives to the traditional quilted plywood appearance.
Builders focused on material and hardware costs.
Engineers evaluated span capabilities and strength properties.
Suppliers assessed distribution and availability.
Manufacturing and logistics teams examined flat-packed shipping efficiency.
Project planners and designers looked for reliable production timelines.
Contractors asked the important question: How do we build it?
Insurance providers focused on fire performance, moisture resistance, and long-term durability.

To address these questions, we partnered with industry leaders who help bridge the gap between design and execution.

Working Together to Deliver Complete Solutions

To strengthen our approach, we partnered with GENERATE and LamWood Systems, organizations that bring critical expertise to the mass timber process.

GENERATE supports manufacturers like Freres by advancing building system design and project integration. Their work helps translate structural possibilities into real-world building solutions, supporting engineers, architects, and contractors through early-stage planning and system optimization. Their involvement strengthens confidence in how mass timber systems are specified and implemented across a wide range of projects.

LamWood Solutions plays a key role in supporting manufacturing and project readiness by providing specialized lamination expertise and production support. Their capabilities help ensure materials are prepared and delivered with the precision required for successful installation. By supporting production workflows and structural readiness, LamWood helps bridge the gap between manufacturing and jobsite performance.

Built on Partnership

Mass timber is built through a network of manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, installers, and innovators working toward a shared goal.

We extend our thanks to the many partners across this industry who continue to support, collaborate, and push the work forward. From materials and equipment to finished structures, each contribution plays a role in shaping the projects that define this field.

Looking Ahead

Now, with the 2026 International Mass Timber Conference behind us, attention turns to what lies ahead and another big milestone—Mass Ply’s 10-year debut anniversary.

The question now is: What will we build next?

We look forward to seeing everyone again at the 2027 International Mass Timber Conference.

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