FSC in the Heart of Europe
Strengthening through collaboration – connecting demand and supply for sustainable forest products in Europe
The first-ever FSC Business Encounter in Vienna
An exclusive event for FSC certificate holders throughout Europe: Forest managers & chain of custody holders, Licensees, wood buyers & importers, Exporters of FSC-certified products.
Thu, 22 January 2026, Rainer Hotel, Vienna
At the core
Matchmaking between supply and demand – from trade to sourcing and across the full value chain.
Our goal
Showcase commitment to responsible supply chains, connect market actors, and open new business opportunities.
Programme
11:00-11:10: Welcome by Network Partners/Hosting Countries
11:10– 11:50 Opening Session FSC update, FSC International, Xenia Marx, Programme Manager tbc
- FSC value proposition
- Integrity & assurance developments
- Risk assessment updates
- FSC in the context of regulations
Q&A
11:50–13.15 Moderated interactive workshop: Supply/Demand Gap
- Lightning Talk, Sean Nyquist, Programme Manager Value Chain Development, FSC International
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- market trends and market data
- best practice
- Value Chain Development
- Open discussion and workshop moderated by Sean Nyquist
13:15–14:15 – Lunch Break and Business Matchmaking Business Opportunities (meeting rooms available)
14:15–15:00 – Best practice: IKEA Forest Agenda, Ulrich Malessa, Raw Material Leader Europe & Africa, IKEA Supply Services (Sweden) AB
- Activities behind maintaining More Sustainable Source input (FSC/recycled goal, currently about 97%)
- Cooperation across the chain of custody
15:00–15:30 – „Certification to be relevant for the future, future market demands and regulations“ Michael Kutschke, Lead Auditor, Preferred by Nature
- COC and FM Certification in practice – keeping it simple.
- FSC – a robust tool to meet current and future market demands and regulations and an instrument to protect and adapt forests to climate change
Coffeebreak 15:30-15:45
15:45-16:30 – „Wood Prices“, lightning talk, Daniel-Paul Dima and open discussion
- Wood Prices Index, Price Drivers, Trends, Impact of Certification and Local Differences
16:30 –17:00 Wrap Up, Discussion on further steps, learnings
17:00–18:00 – Business Matchmaking
- Book directly meeting opportunities with potential business partners – meeting rooms facilitated
18:30 – Networking Dinner
Venue: Rainers Hotel Vienna,Gudrunstraße 184, 1100 Vienna (Room contingent pre-booked for participants).
Book your hotel room directly (Code: FSC) at: https://onepagebooking.com/rvienna/allotments/17439?allotmentcode=FSC&lang=en
Your Benefits – What’s in it for you?
- Commitment to Responsible Sourcing
Show leadership for long-term ethical supply chains. - Technical Deep Dives for Thought Leaders
Gain insights and learnings from peers across the timber and pulp industry. - Targeted Business Matchmaking
Link supply and demand, connect with new partners, and explore fresh business opportunities.
Additional Topics:
- Latest first-hand updates directly from FSC International: Integrity improvements at FSC & compliance support Standard revisions and developments
- How FSC supports compliance with regulations
- Developments in sourcing countries & current bottlenecks Best practices in supplier sustainability initiatives
Registration and participation
This curated event brings together FSC certificate holders, decision-makers, and market participants to foster dialogue and cooperation in times of regulatory change, shifting trade relations, and growing sustainability commitments. Join us – and strengthen your business with FSC in Europe!
Seats are limited – please reserve early!
No conference fee – a €100 no-show penalty applies
>> register now (Registration deadline: 10 January 2026)
Country Contacts
Austria: Julia Köberl – julia.koeberl@at.fsc.org
Balkans: Diego Florian – diego.florian@fsc.org
Bulgaria: sustainableforestsbg@gmail.com
Czech Republic: Tomas Duda – t.duda@cz.fsc.org
France: Nicolas Sanchez – n.sanchez@fr.fsc.org
Germany: Margarete Wacker – margarete.wacker@fsc-deutschland.de
Romania: Alexandra Popa – a.popa@fsc.org
Slovenia: Jure Rejec – j.rejec@fsc.org
Switzerland: Viktor Lienhard – v.lienhard@ch.fsc.org
Türkiye: Fatma Tayci – ftayci@fsc.org