2025 Forest NB Industry Forum

Join us this year for an insightful and engaging Industry Forum.

Building on the success of our previous forums, the 2025 Forest NB Industry Forum invites you to explore the future of New Brunswick’s forest sector. With the theme “Embracing Change and Growing the Impact of NB’s Forest Sector,” this year’s forum will focus on the transformative opportunities and challenges facing our industry while highlighting innovation, collaboration, and the important role of the forest sector in New Brunswick’s economic and environmental future. Join us in a dynamic, solutions-driven conversation about how we can embrace change, harness new opportunities, and continue to expand the positive impact of New Brunswick’s forests for communities, the economy, and the environment.

The Annual Industry Forum will take place March 12 & 13, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza – Lord Beaverbrook Hotel. This event hosts diverse speakers and exhibitors offering valuable perspectives on innovation and opportunities in the Forest Sector.

Please check out our Forum Website for more speaker and schedule details that will be updated regularly.

Forum Website

Event Agenda

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

• 1:30p-3:30p -Forest NB AGM (Garrison Room)
• 5:00p-6:00p - Registration - (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 5:00p-6:00p - Reception & Networking - (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 6:00p-8:00p - Welcome & Dinner (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 7:00p-8:00p - Keynote address: Mark Symes, "Are you Moving Fast Enough and in the Right Direction?- How the best organizations in the world operate with a different Rhythm of Reflection and how they Lead Change Differently." (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 8:00p-10:00p - Hospitality Suite - (Junior Ballroom, Mezzanine Floor)

Thursday, March 13, 2025

• 7:30a-8:30a -Networking Breakfast (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 8:00a-9:00a - Registration (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 9:00a-9:10a - Welcome Address (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 9:10a-10:50a - Speaker Series 1 - Enhancing Forest Management and Protection
• 10:50a-11:20a - Coffee break, Networking, & Tradeshow - (Junior Ballroom, Mezzanine Floor)
• 11:20a-12:30p - Panel Discussion: Forestry's Economic Outlooks in a Changing World(Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 12:30p-1:30p - Industry Forum Lunch - (Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 1:30p-2:00p - Networking, & Tradeshow - (Junior Ballroom, Mezzanine Floor)
• 2:00p-3:50p - Speaker Series 3 - Innovation and Action: Shaping Forestry's Future(Ballroom, Ground Floor)
• 3:50p-4:00p - Closing Remarks & Door Prizes Draw - (Ballroom, Ground Floor)

Keynote Speaker: Mark Symes, Founding Partner, Symplicity Designs

Are you Moving Fast Enough and in the Right Direction?- How the best organizations in the world operate with a different Rhythm of Reflection and how they Lead Change Differently

As one of the three founding partners of Symplicity Designs, Mark has been leading training and large-scale transformations with Symplicity Designs for over a decade. Mark specializes in business transformation and strategy in all sectors and with businesses of all sizes. By leveraging the Symplicity methodology, he has helped over 500 Atlantic Canadian organizations prosper across the region.

Mark holds multiple designations in Improvement and Analytics. He has 15 years of experience in performance excellence and is passionate about helping organizations clarify their strategy and Lead the change required to execute it.

Multiple organizations have recognized Mark for his contributions, including CFI Magazine, which named him one of the Top 20 under 40 in the Canadian Forest Industry, in 2023.

In his time away from work, Mark manages his family's sixth-generation family farm, sits on the Board of Directors of the Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada and spends whatever time he can afield. He currently resides with his wife, Marie, their 3 dogs and 2 horse, in Grand Barachois, New Brunswick.

The Industry Forum returns to the

Crowne Plaza - Lord Beaverbrook Hotel

659 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C4.

Book your room by calling (506) 455-3371 or by using the link below.

Reserve your Room

Please note, there will be no on-site registration and eventbrite ticket sales end 1 day before the event.