WCTE 2023 opened on Monday 19 June. The conference was opened by Sandra Borch, Minister of Agriculture and Food, and Mayor Marianne Borgen welcomed the 900 participants to the city of Oslo in the main hall at The HUB hotel.

As part of the opening, four joint academic lectures were presented: Åge Holmestad, who told the story of the development of large wooden structures in Norway and the significance of Norway winning the Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994. Professor Andrea Frangi at ETH Zurich gave a lecture on wood and fire, a topic in which he is a world leader. Jennifer Cover, president of WoodWorks - Wood Products Council in the USA, presented an overview of the use of wood in the construction industry in the USA.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen from Snøhetta emphasized the emotional and human aspects of the use of wood in architecture, with reference to the conference's motto: Timber for a livable future. As part of the closing, two joint academic lectures were presented. Uwe Kies, Secretary General of InnovaWood presented Europe’s green transformation in policy, industry and society discovers wood science and innovation. Keith Crews, Professor & Director, WCTE 2025 Chair presented a perspective of the development and use of timber in the built Environment of Australia and New Zealand.

95 researchers from all over the world have peer-reviewed around 850 submitted articles. Of these, around 600 came through the eye of the needle, and were presented during the 4 days of the conference.

As a part of the closing ceremony the WCTE 2027 were presented: Edmonton Canada.

Monday The Mayor of Oslo Marianne Borgen on behalf of Oslo Municipality invited all WCTE participants to a pleasant reception in Oslo City Hall.

During the the conference week WCTE wanted to showcase young Norwegian musical talent during all the ceremonies. "Messing Up" are five students from The Norwegian Music Academy. Frida Helene og Marte Haltli are young talents. Aleksandra Vakhrina (10 Year) was playing violin during the Banquet. Aleksandra is at part of the Talent Program, a collaboration between UngMusikk and the Norwegian Music Academy. At the closing Ceremony: Singers; Sverre Saugstad Bendiksen, Martin Nybøle-Jelsness and Emil Haakensta, and Edgar Nilsen (Saxophone). Accompaniment / piano: Carla Fernàndez Boix and Ellen Marie Carlsen.

The organizers of WCTE 2023 took the initiative for a pavilion design. The pavilion stands outside Østbanehallen next to the Tiger. The WCTE pavilion was officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Sandra Borch. In addition, Mayor Marianne Borgen, Principal Irene Alma Lønne from AHO, Principal Siri Fjellheim from NMBU and Anders Q, Nyrud from NMBU participated in the inauguration, together with enthusiasts who have contributed to the realization of the pavilion. Sofie Bentzen from White Arkitekter led this opening.