February 11, 2013

Seminars delve into challenges facing the industry

BUILDEX VANCOUVER

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WorkSafeBC had a display at last year's BUILDEX Vancouver and will be at the show again this year.

JEAN SORENSEN

correspondent

Buildex Vancouver 2013 is tackling tough construction industry issues during some seminars this year.

The annual tradeshow will feature 425 exhibitors and organizers are expecting 13,500 delegates.

“The industry is continuing to work with us and see us as an industry leader to bring these seminars to the market,” said show director Paul Maryschak.

He pointed to the construction industry’s keynote panel session W29 Adapt or Die! How will you survive the next 10 years?”

The construction industry is facing new companies coming to B.C. as it attracts investment and new builds.

These companies impact the way projects are planned, the types of contracts and the way the projects are put out to tender.

A panel of industry leaders will discuss the industry’s fate over the next decade, he said.

Jan Robinson, interim president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association will moderate the discussion. Panelists include Sarah Clark, president and CEO of Partnerships BC, Dee Miller, vice president of administration, finance and human resources at JJM Construction Ltd., and Cris Munro, a principal at CM2 Ventures.

They will be joined by Mike Demers, a partner with Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, who has practiced construction law for more than 20 years. <0x000A>Other seminars are on tap.

“We have labeled it the winner’s curse,” said Tara Landes, founder and president of Bellrock Benchmarking Inc., who will present seminar W26 on why companies that win all the contracts aren’t the ones making money and often make the largest mistakes.

“The company that is winning a lot of jobs is typically the company that is not pricing well and working harder for less money.”

Controversy continues to swirl around LEED buildings. Are they worth the hassle? Do they hold their value in the marketplace?

Those attending seminar W20 will be given an advanced look at new market data from an anticipated national report tracking market values, assessed values, leasing rates, and operational costs of green buildings.

Pedro Tavares, director of research, valuation and advisory for the Altus Group, is one of the two speakers.

“LEED as an evaluation perspective is really still in its infancy,” he said.

He added that when it comes to pegging building value, there is some evidence that LEED may contribute.

The other speaker is Gil Yaron, senior business and policy advisor for Light House Sustainable Building Centre.

Communications and computer technology is exploding today, and Maryschak said two technology sessions provide a guide for what the industry should know.

In session W14 What App is This Anyway? Ledcor architect Brian Palmquist explores four competing operating systems for the dozens of smart phones and tablets that claim to deliver results to builders in the field.

Session T06 also looks at advantages that technologies can provide for construction and property management.

The growing interest in wood construction has a dozen members of the B.C. Wood Specialty Group occupying 2,500 square feet of exhibition space.

“There is one session that complements the interest in wood,” said Maryschak.

Seminar W22 looks at the UBC Earth Sciences Building, the largest application of panelized wood products to date in North America.

The show’s green showcase of company products will feature green companies and new products released in the past year.

“There are a lot of interesting stories behind some of the companies exhibiting this year,” said Michael Pelsoci, who is handling the showcase for Buildex.

Exhibitors include companies such as Energy Envelope Engineered Solutions, which distributes the Syntheon Accel-E Steel Thermal Efficient Panel wall system that doesn’t require contractors to learn new construction methods and Nitro Pipe Freeze whose product creates a temporary ice-plug in pipe repairs and alterations without doing a drain down.

Some live and interactive sessions will also be held on the showroom floor this year with speakers such as Tony Gioventu, Lisa Mackie, Amy Spencer, Lynda Brind-Dickson and others.

These sessions are free.

The CEO breakfast, by invite only, is expected to draw in 200-250 CEOs, presidents and vice-presidents from construction, architectural and engineering firms.

As well, the meet-and-greet networking reception will be held at the end of the first day, with wine and hors d’oeuvres for an estimated 600 delegates and vendors.

Feb. 14 is the inaugural Architecture Day, includes four architecture-related panel presentations and a gallery exhibit featuring West Coast Design.

BOMA B.C.’s Feb. 14 luncheon will feature BC Hydro’s Mina Laudan who will speak on the Site C Clean Energy Project.

Buildex was formerly known by its three different components: the B.C. Construction Show; Design Northwest for architects and the interior design industry; and the Homebuilder and Renovator Expo.

Buildex Vancouver is taking place Feb. 14-15 at the new Vancouver Convention Centre.

FILE PHOTO

Buildex Vancouver 2013 is taking place at the new Vancouver Convention Centre.

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