Tracing the history of this association takes us back to the 1920s when millwork operators in the Vancouver area were trying to create a better climate for the industry. From these efforts the Mainland Millwork Association was created and incorporated in 1948. The Mainland Millwork Association became The Architectural Woodwork Association in the 1950's. The Architectural Woodwork Association, the defacto Canadian chapter of the AWI, sent representatives to AWI National Conventions. During the early 1960s this group, in turn, was succeeded by the Millwork Manufacturers Association, and operated within the province of British Columbia, Canada.

In the late 1960's, Gary Nikolai of Vancouver, British Columbia, traveled across Canada promoting a national woodworkers association called the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada, in short, AWMAC.

The first meeting of this new association was called to order at 2:15 PM on September 25, 1970 at the Bayshore Inn in Vancouver, BC. In attendance were: Gary Nikolai (BC), Sim Antuma (Alberta), Gus Frenzel (Saskatchewan), Bob Newmann (Manitoba), Doug Wignal (Ontario), Ben Farquhar (Nova Scotia). During this meeting Gary Nikolai was elected as President, and W.C. (Bill) Ellison was appointed as Secretary/Treasurer.

The AWMAC Constitution and By-Laws were sealed and recorded by the office of the Minister of Industry Science and Technology on January 28, 1994. The AWMAC membership is comprised of local chapter contractors, associate and life members plus honorary national members. The local chapter elects one representative to be an AWMAC director. The directors in turn elect the AWMAC officers.

The Millwork Contractors Association of BC Manual was revised and adopted as the AWMAC Quality Standards for Architectural Woodwork Manual. The first Manuals were distributed in the spring of 1972. The AWMAC Quality Standards for Architectural Woodwork has become the authoritative guide used as the national standards for designing, detailing and specifying architectural woodwork across Canada. Revised editions were published in 1978, 1984, 1991 and 1998.

The AWMAC Guarantee and Inspection Service (GIS) Program was initiated by AWMA-BC in 1990. After four years of promotion and fine-tuning, the GIS Program was adopted as a national program during the 1994 General Meeting in Calgary. The GIS Program is a tool designed to monitor projects specifying the AWMAC Standards.  The program assures that the architectural woodwork is supplied and/or installed in accordance with the AWMAC Quality Standards for Architectural Woodwork.

The main thrust of the association has always been to promote and improve quality standards while keeping pace with new products and technology in the Architectural Woodwork Industry.

• To promote the interests of persons, firms and corporations engaged in the business of manufacturing, supplying and/or installing Architectural Wood Products in Canada.
• To endeavor to achieve closer relationship and a better understanding among the various chapters of the industry and to improve and standardize as close as possible the methods of submitting and accepting tenders as between Architect and/or Engineer, General Contractor, Trade Contractor and Owner.
• To gather statistics and other matters calculated to be of use and assistance to the members of the association.
• To assist in all ways in the improvements of public relations.
• To promote close liaison between members and their suppliers.
• To secure uniformity in usage, custom and trade conditions of those engaged in the Architectural Woodworking Industry.
• To formulate and encourage an educational program for the training of Millwork Employees to the end that the industry may benefit from improved methods and increased skills.
• To provide such further services as shall from time to time be deemed expedient for the protection or promotion of the best interest of the membership.
• To represent the members of the Association in any matters pertaining to the Architectural Woodworking Industry.
• To promote legislation affecting the industry in all its branches and to oppose or support, as the case may be, any contemplated legislation by Federal, Provincial, Municipal or other authorities in so far as the same may affect the Architectural Woodworking Industry.

The regional chapters include:

• Atlantic Chapter
• Quebec Chapter
• Ontario Chapter
• Manitoba Chapter
• Saskatchewan Chapter
• Southern Alberta Chapter
• Northern Alberta Chapter
• Britsh Columbia Chapter

Outstanding Service Plaques were awarded to:

• 1985 – Harry Hummelshoj
• 1985 – Bob Newman
• 1985 – Gerry Schmidtke
• 1988 – Al Fox
• 1989 – Syd Thomson
• 1991 – Jack Russell
• 2006 – Gary Nikolai
• 2007 – Jim Taylor
• 2008 - Frank and Joanne VanDonzel
• 2009 - Don Afanasiff

1970 – Gary Nikolai

1971 – Gary Nikolai

1972 – Gary Nikolai

1973 – Edward Fielder*

1974 – Walter Konopaki*

1975 – Robert Newman

1976 – Bruce McVean

1977 – Alan Fox

1978 – Thomas Johnston

1979 – Gerry Schmidtke*

1980 – Gerry Schmidtke*

1981 – Joachim Loh

1982 – Joachim Loh

1983 – Donald Hipperson

1984 – Alan Kapusta

1985 – Jack Russell

1986 – Syd Thomson

1987 – Jack Russell

1988 – Dick Hiebert

1989 – Len Welk

1990 – Werner O. Schmidt

1991 – Werner O. Schmidt

1992 – Gary Nikolai

1993 – Casey Beyersbergen

1994 – Casey Beyersbergen

1995 – Harm Hazeu

1996 – Harm Hazeu

1997 – Parnell Kowalski

1998 – Eric Wolf

1999 – Eric Wolf

2000 – Don Afanasiff

2001 – Don Afanasiff

2002 – Jim Taylor

2003 – Jim Taylor

2004 – Ernst Salzgeber

2005 – Ernst Salzgeber

2006 – Vince Parolin

2007 – Vince Parolin

2008 – Vince Parolin

2009 – Myron Jonzon

* Deceased