Conference Dates: May 26–27, 2025

Location: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank, Queensland, Australia

Conference Dates: May 26–27, 2025

Workshop Date: May 28, 2025

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Ottawa 

About the Conference

We are pleased to welcome you to the 2nd NextGen Wood Conference & Timber Connections Workshop in Ottawa, a premier event bringing together leading researchers, industry professionals, and innovators in the wood construction sector.

This three-day event will highlight emerging research, industry applications, and collaborative efforts advancing sustainable mass timber construction. It includes two full days of conference presentations and networking, followed by a specialized technical workshop focused on timber connection systems.

Program Schedule

Sunday, May 25, 2025

• Reception & Registration: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Monday, May 26, 2025

• Opening Keynote Address

• Technical Sessions: Focus on Project Themes, with industry and academic contributions

• Networking Breaks: Breakfast, lunch, and coffee provided

• Gala Dinner: Evening reception

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

• Continuation of Sessions: Parallel technical tracks on Project Themes

• Conference Concludes: 3:00 PM

• Program Advisory Board (PAB) Meeting: (for PAB members only, evening session)

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

• Special Workshop on Timber Connections: Organized by Dr. Thomas Tannert and Dr. Alexander Salenikovich. This workshop will include thematic presentations, a keynote lecture, and a poster session, providing participants with valuable insights into the latest research and practical applications in timber connections.

Registration & Fees

• Timber Connections Workshop (only): $100

• NextGen Wood Conference (only): $300

• Full Conference + Workshop: $350

Note: Highly Qualified Personnel (HQPs) supported by the project are required to attend the conference with registration fees waived. Principal Investigators (PIs) are also encouraged to attend.

Accommodation

We have secured a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Ottawa for conference attendees.
For special rates and booking information, please use the link below:
Hotel Booking Link: Hilton Garden Inn Booking

Key Links

• Conference Registration: NextGen Wood Conference 2025 Registration

• Add to Calendar: NextGen Wood Conference 2025 Calendar

We encourage you to register early and mark your calendars for this important event. Join us to explore the future of wood construction, exchange ideas with peers, and gain valuable insights from leading experts in the field. We look forward to welcoming you to Ottawa in May 2025!

This version conveys a more formal and professional tone while clearly outlining the key details and maintaining clarity for the readers.

Dates:
📅 Regular Registration Deadline: June 20, 2025
📅 Abstract Submission Deadline: July 4, 2025
📅 3MT Presentation Submission Deadline: August 1, 2025

Overview:

We are pleased to announce that regular registration is now open for the 2025 China-Canada Symposium on Structural and Earthquake Engineering (CCSSEE). This annual international event brings together leading faculty, researchers, and students to exchange ideas, share research, and foster collaboration in structural and earthquake engineering.

Hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering, the symposium promises a dynamic agenda, including abstract presentations, 3MT competitions, and networking opportunities among global experts.

Registration Information:

• Regular Registration Deadline: June 20, 2025

• Late Registration Fee: Additional $100 CAD after the deadline

• Registration & Symposium Info: Visit the 2025 CCSSEE Webpage
  
  

Key Deadlines:

• Abstract Submission: July 4, 2025

• 3MT Presentation Submission: August 1, 2025
  
  

Questions?

For inquiries or support, please visit: 2025 Symposium Homepage

Join us in Vancouver, BC, from 22-25 September, 2025, for the 5th edition of Woodrise, the premier international congress on mid- and high-rise timber construction!

This year’s theme, "Building Smarter with Woods: Sustainable Solutions for Resilient Communities and Housing," highlights the crucial role of timber in creating sustainable, future-ready infrastructure.

We are proud to announce that our ARTS team has secured 1st place in the Student Design-Build Competition hosted by the Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) at the APT-National Trust Joint Conference 2024 in Montreal. Over forty teams from universities across North America participated in this year’s competition.

The ARTS Team’s design focused on the Old East Coulee Bridge, an 88-year-old historic timber truss bridge in Drumheller, Alberta. Over three phases, the team conducted historical analysis, condition assessments, and proposed innovative preservation solutions for the bridge’s future application. The final phase included a presentation and a live load test of a scaled-down bridge model at the conference.

The team, led by MSc student Milan Marojevic, included Shadi Esmaeildoust, Yahia Ahmed, Sarah Barclay, Tao Gui, Samia Sarothi, and Aisha Elgarhy. Faculty mentors Dr. Ying Hei Chui, Dr. Yuxiang Chen, and Dr. Hossein Daneshvar, along with industry mentor Anthony Ferrise, RJC Ltd, provided invaluable guidance throughout the competition. Congratulations to the ARTS team for this outstanding accomplishment. A big thank you to APT for organizing this inspiring event and fostering innovation in preserving historic structures.

Join us for two days of insightful discussions and networking at the NextGen Wood Conference, an inaugural conference of Dr. Chui's NSERC Alliance Grant "Next Generation Wood Construction,"  happening from May 13th to May 14th, 2024, at the Fantasyland Hotel in West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, AB.

Experience an engaging program featuring research presentations, keynote speeches, and valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, researchers, and students.

Don’t miss our Pre-Conference Reception on May 12th, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, where you can engage in a meet-and-greet session to establish connections before the main event.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Date: May 13–May 14th, 2024

• Venue: Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall, 17700 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 4V4

• Tentative Agenda: Link to Agenda

• Registration: While Alliance Grant students enjoy complimentary admission, other attendees are kindly requested to contribute a $200 registration fee to support hospitality expenses. Registration Link

• Accommodation: The Fantasyland Hotel is offering discounted room rates of $179 plus tax per night for conference attendees. Attendees staying at Fantasyland Hotel will also enjoy discounted passes for Galaxyland or the Waterpark during their stay, with a maximum of 4 passes per room per day.

  • Online: [Link: https://reservations.travelclick.com/116093?groupID=4252752]

  • Phone: Call (780) 444-3000 or toll-free 1-800-737-3783 and mention the group code# 7790896 or the event name. Please note that the special rates are available only until April 12, 2024.

• Abstract Submission: Details can be found here.

In a recent ceremony, Dr. Ying Hei Chui was appointed the Nasseri Senior University of Alberta Engineering Research Chair in Advanced Wood Construction. This prestigious 5-year appointment recognizes Dr. Chui's exceptional contributions to the field.

Renowned for his pioneering work in sustainable wood engineering, Dr. Chui's appointment underscores his commitment to advancing eco-friendly construction practices. The ceremony, attended by esteemed colleagues and industry leaders, celebrated his innovative approach and its potential to revolutionize the industry. 

Congratulations to Dr. Chui on this well-deserved recognition of his expertise and commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.

Edmonton has been selected as the host city for the prestigious 2027 World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) under the leadership of Dr. Ying Hei Chui. The joint bid submitted by UoA and Explore Edmonton emerged victorious over its competitor, Vancouver.

The official announcement was made in Oslo, and though the team had to leave before the announcement, the Canadian Ambassador to Norway accepted the award on their behalf.

This success wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable support of 22 letters from various stakeholders. Special thanks to Nicola and Tracey from Explore Edmonton for their outstanding efforts, and Maureen from Buksa for her budgeting expertise. Mohammad also played a significant role, delivering a brief acceptance speech on behalf of the team in Oslo.

We are excited about this opportunity and will be seeking input from all of you for the organization of this important event. Stay tuned for further updates!

Dr. Ying Hei Chui, esteemed researcher in timber engineering and engineered wood products, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 CSA Award of Merit. With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Chui has emerged as one of Canada’s leading researchers in timber engineering and engineered wood products. Between 2017 and 2023, he was the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Engineered Wood and Building Systems at the University of Alberta. Prior to joining the University of Alberta, he held the esteemed New Brunswick Innovation Research Chair in Advanced Wood Products and served as the Director of the Wood Science and Technology Centre at the University of New Brunswick.

A recent milestone in Dr. Chui’s career has been his lead role in establishing the Canadian Wood Construction Research Network (CWCRN). This collaborative network brought together 31 university professors, 20 partner scientists/engineers, and numerous students and industry partners. The CWCRN, supported by a $6.25 million NSERC Alliance Grant, focused on advancing timber engineering and promoting sustainable construction practices through its five-year program, Next-Generation Wood Construction. 

Dr. Chui’s leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation, fostering excellence, and promoting the use of timber in construction. His expertise and dedication have contributed to the development of voluntary standards that enhance safety and sustainability in the industry.

Read more: https://www.csagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/CSA-2023AwardOfMerit_BIL_Accessible_Chui-Ying-Hei.pdf